Wisconsin Herp Rule Review

UPDATE 2/11/26: The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25. The deadline to register for public testimony and submit written comments is 11 a.m. Central on Feb. 18, 2026. Remote and in-person public testimony are allowed. Aside from allowing some additional color variants of native snakes (see pages 21-22), the proposal has not changed substantively, and you may read changes in our earlier updates below.Location: State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster Street, public meeting room G09, Madison, WisconsinEmail comments to DNRNRBLiaison@wisconsin.gov

Get more details at https://usark.org/25wi/.

UPDATE 12/9/25:A public hearing has been scheduled for January 12 at 5:00 PM CST. You can read the draft rule and the highlighted changes in our alert. The written comment deadline is January 13, 2026

Posted 7/16/25: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is initiating a comprehensive review of all herp regulations in an effort to clarify and update existing regulations to better inform the public, law enforcement, and department staff regarding allowable activities, improve enforceability, and implement current management goals. There may be additional rule changes reasonably related to what was mentioned prior.

Read more at https://usark.org/25wi/.

ALERT: Powell, WY

1/27/26: Powell, Wyoming, is reviewing its animal ordinance. This will likely be about more than typical exotic animals (note that the definition for this term varies greatly and is determined by whatever definition a government body creates). Powell lawmakers previously came under scrutiny (and a federal lawsuit) for prohibiting a woman from keeping a domesticated animal under its exotic animal law, so ordinance amendments could apply to any species. There is no current formal proposal or set hearing date, but local animal owners should become engaged to prevent an overreaching ban.

Get full details at https://usark.org/26wy/.

ALERT: Colorado Herp Rule Review

UPDATE 1/15/26: The first hearing of the draft was today, and it was discussed as Issues Identification. The vote should be at the March 4-5 Commission meeting. USARKs Phil Goss testified on behalf of responsible Colorado herpetoculturists. The National Animal Interest Alliance and a devoted field helper also testified.

UPDATE 1/5/26: The draft regulations were just released. The next CPW Commission hearing is on January 14-15, and this item should be discussed around 10:40 Mountain Time on January 15. The deadline for written comments is 1/9/26 at noon Mountain Time. You must register for virtual testimony by noon on 1/9/26. In-person testimony is allowed without pre-registration.This will be the Commission's initial introduction to the draft. The vote should occur at the March 4-5 Commission meeting.Full details, links, and more at https://usark.org/25co2/.

ALERT: Orangeburg, SC

UPDATE 12/16/25: The ordinance was tabled at tonight's meeting with the motion made due to hearing concerns from many local residents. USARK's Phil Goss was there to represent responsible animal owners and received an acknowledgement from the Council, which was greatly appreciated. We value the Council's engagement and thoughtful consideration on this issue. The Council plans to have it on the February 17 agenda. Thank you to all of those who voiced their concern.

More details athttps://usark.org/25sc2/.

Endangered Species Act Amendments

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 (snippet below):Threatened species protections (50 CFR part 17; section 4(d)): Eliminate the blanket rule option and require species-specific 4(d) rules tailored to each threatened species. This approach reflects the best interpretation of the statute under Loper Bright and ensures that protections are necessary and appropriate to conserve each species without imposing unnecessary restrictions on others. It also aligns service policy with the National Marine Fisheries Services (NOAA) long-standing species-specific approach...Read more at https://usark.org/25esa4/.

ALERT UPDATE: Borneo Earless Monitor ESA Listing

Posted August 13: On August 14, 2025, FWS will open a comment period on the proposed rule to list the Borneo earless monitor (Lanthanotus borneensis) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Previous comments need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.

Full details at https://usark.org/25esa2/.

ALERT UPDATE: Blue Tree Monitor ESA Listing

Get full details at https://usark.org/25esa1/. The emergency rule ended on August 25, 2025. Breeders can currently ship blue tree monitors. We will notify our members of changes or when the final rule is posted by FWS.

ALERT: Southern Hognose ESA Listing

Posted 8/28/25: 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 as a result of land conversion and fragmentation, causing loss of connectivity between populations, road mortality, invasive species (red ants, feral hogs, and cogongrass), and climate change.

Full details at https://usark.org/25esa3/.

Find A Vet

Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can hel...