Amendments to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) have been proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through rulemaking. There are four proposed changes: Threatened species protections (50 CFR part 17; section 4(d)): Eliminate the “blanket rule” option and...
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). FWS has found that the southern hognose faces serious threats from habitat loss and degradation...
UPDATE 3/4/26: The CPW Commission voted to approve these rules today. Changes include allowing the sale, breeding, and possession of certain captive-bred herps, which are currently not allowed, including Western hognose, cornsnakes, kingsnakes, and others. The rules...
Notice Pursuant to Executive Order 12600 of Receipt of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); Requests for Wildlife/Flora Import and Export Data stored in LEMIS The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has received multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests...
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will post this document in the Federal Register tomorrow (9/14/25). It can be read on our website at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/25-earless-2.pdf. If you breed or work with this species, please email...