The budget sequester has forced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to slash port inspections at night and on the weekends, potentially leaving thousands of fish and reptiles stuck in an import limbo that could devastate two industries just getting back on their feet after the economic downturn.

In a

The budget sequester has forced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to slash port inspections at night and on the weekends, potentially leaving thousands of fish and reptiles stuck in an import limbo that could devastate two industries just getting back on their feet after the economic downturn.

In a press release, the USFWS said the service “has imposed a hiring freeze (meaning that wildlife inspector vacancies will not be filled) and has suspended all overtime activities (including those at ports of entry.”

Marshall Meyers of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) said, “The USFWS advised importers/exporters of live wildlife that the Service will no longer inspect shipments after hours on weekdays (normally after 4:30 pm), Saturday/Sunday or federal holidays. The notice states that this will remain in effect through fiscal year 2013, so even if budget issues are resolved, USFWS says the clearance embargo will remain in place.”

As many, if not most, international flights arrive after hours or on weekends, importers serving the pet industry are most likely going to be crippled if they cannot find alternative air transportation, which will itself undoubtedly result in longer, less direct, flights. Several importers have advised PIJAC that the USFWS decision is likely to result in their suspending operations or simply going out of business.

Members of both the USFWS and PIJAC are currently in Thailand attending the 26th meeting of the CITES Animals Committee, which is addressing a number of agenda items including sharks, snakes, sturgeons, corals, and listing criteria for commercially exploited aquatic species. Hopefully PIJAC and USFWS will have a chance to discuss options to avert this crisis.

More details as they come in. …read more
Read more here: King Snake

By Herp News

Alex Pyron’s expertise is in family trees. Who is related to whom, who begat whom, how did they get where they are now. But not for humans: reptiles.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

The kingsnake.com banner pool ad program has made a big splash, and we don’t want you to miss out!

Whether you’re a small hobbyist with just a couple of animals to sell, or a breeder or business who found regular banner advertising too expensive in the past, the kingsnake.com banner pool program is designed for you.

How much does it cost to jump into the banner pool? As little as 7 cents a day!

For more information on how to add your banner to the pool, or to purchase your banner pool slot, please go to http://www.kingsnake.com/services/bannerpool.html. Space in the pool is limited and selling fast, so grab a towel and head to the banner pool today!
…read more
Read more here: King Snake

By Herp News

Caught in a beam of torchlight, the eyes of the slender loris reflect back a striking glow. In an effort to better understand these shy, nocturnal primates, a team of researchers set out to the Western Ghats of India. The resulting paper: Moolah, Misfortune or Spinsterhood? The Plight of the Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus) in Southern India was published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa in January of 2013. Forest walks and interviews with the Kani people, who live in close proximity to the lorises, supported evidence of a surprising new threat to the lorises: photographers.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation and JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa will stage the 4th Mai Khao Turtle Release on March 29, 2013. This important annual event is organized to raise funds and awareness for the plight of Phuket’s critically endangered sea turtles .

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Longview’s Garth Pithan, of “ Reptile Road Show” fame, went from crime victim to crime avenger after a recent burglary at his burned-out home, according to Cowlitz County Sheriff’s office.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Buddhist leaders prayed for slaughtered African elephants in Bangkok, Thailand last week, reports WWF. During a special merit-making ceremony, often reserved for the recently deceased, Buddhist monks, abbots, and leaders prayed for the tens-of-thousands of elephants that have been killed for their ivory tusks. Bangkok is currently hosting an international meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), where the elephant crisis is being discussed.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Buddhist leaders prayed for slaughtered African elephants in Bangkok, Thailand last week, reports WWF. During a special merit-making ceremony, often reserved for the recently deceased, Buddhist monks, abbots, and leaders prayed for the tens-of-thousands of elephants that have been killed for their ivory tusks. Bangkok is currently hosting an international meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), where the elephant crisis is being discussed.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Buddhist leaders prayed for slaughtered African elephants in Bangkok, Thailand last week, reports WWF. During a special merit-making ceremony, often reserved for the recently deceased, Buddhist monks, abbots, and leaders prayed for the tens-of-thousands of elephants that have been killed for their ivory tusks. Bangkok is currently hosting an international meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), where the elephant crisis is being discussed.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

On 3/13/13, Tortoise Energy Capital Corporation’s 3.95% Series C Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares (NYSE: TYY.PRC) will trade ex-dividend, for its monthly dividend of $0.0329, payable on 4/1/13. As a percentage of TYY.PRC’s recent share price of $10.17, this dividend works out to approximately 0.32%. On an annualized basis, the current yield is approximately 3.90%, which compares to an …

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

In the slow-moving freshwater of the Amazon River basin, a dark, scaly crocodilian known as the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is attempting a comeback from near extinction, but another crocodilian may threaten the recovery process, according to a new study in the journal Herpetologica.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

In the slow-moving freshwater of the Amazon River basin, a dark, scaly crocodilian known as the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is attempting a comeback from near extinction, but another crocodilian may threaten the recovery process, according to a new study in the journal Herpetologica.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

From Ken Foose of Exotic Pets in Las Vegas, Nev., an update on efforts to ban exotic pet ownership in the state:

After meeting with members of the HSUS and some Nevada senators on Friday, we now have a bit of new information to give. We have been told by a member of HSUS that the bill will be introduced next Wednesday, March 13. The HSUS has to rush, because they only have until March 18 to get the bill introduced, or they miss the deadline and it just goes away.

None of this information is etched in stone, so please bear that in mind. The first stop for this bill will be the Senate Natural Resources committee in Carson City. This committee is made up of 5 people, 3 Democrats and 2 Republicans. Both of the Republicans are going to vote against any regulations that will be proposed. Two of the Democrats are going to vote to ban exotics. That leaves us with one swing vote, a Democrat in Las Vegas by the name of Aaron Ford. If we can get Senator Ford, or even one of the other two Democrats to vote against this bill, it’s over and we win. It’s that simple. Senator Mark Manendo is a co-sponsor of the bill, so talking him out of supporting his own bill is moot. However, there is Tick Segerblom, also of Las Vegas, who might be turned. We should explore all avenues.

Here’s how I think this is going to work. The bill will be introduced next Wednesday. It will then be scheduled to go before the committee. They will have a hearing and will vote up or down. If it is voted down, it’s over, we win. If it’s voted up, it will move on to the Nevada Assembly for another vote in their Natural Resources committee. If it passes, it will go to the floor of the Nevada Congress for a vote. If it passes it goes before the Governor to be signed. We need to stop this bill NOW, while it’s only in the hands of 5 people, two of which are on our side. Here’s a list of the committee members:

Aaron D. Ford – Chair <<<<<<<<<<< Swing vote!!
Mark A. Manendo – Vice Chair <<<<<<<< voting for the bill, as he is co sponsor of it
Tick Segerblom <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Democrat who says he's voting for bill. We need to reach out to him.
James A. Settelmeyer <<<<<<<<<<<<<< on our side, will vote against
Pete Goicoechea <<<<<<<<<<<<<< on our side, will vote against.

This link will send you to the Nevada Legislative home page. From there you can find all kinds of info.
Nevada Legislature

This is Senator Ford’s contact info
Aaron.Ford@sen.state.nv.us
P.O. Box 96003
Las Vegas, NV 89193-6003
702-772-5544
Secretary:
Lauren Brooks
Lauren.Brooks@sen.state.nv.us

This is Senator Segerblom’s contact info
tsegerblom@sen.state.nv.us
700 South Third Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101-6703
775-684-1422
Secretary:
Adrian Viesca
Adrian.Viesca@sen.state.nv.us

Once …read more
Read more here: King Snake

No products found.

Amazon Auto Links

By Herp News

Today, for the first time, sharks and rays have won the vote for better protection under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), the world’s regulating body on trade in threatened species. Five shark species and the world’s manta rays, which includes two species, have received enough votes to be listed under Appendix II of CITES, which means tougher regulations, but not an outright ban. However, the votes could still be overturned before the end of the meeting.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Today, for the first time, sharks and rays have won the vote for better protection under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), the world’s regulating body on trade in threatened species. Five shark species and the world’s manta rays, which includes two species, have received enough votes to be listed under Appendix II of CITES, which means tougher regulations, but not an outright ban. However, the votes could still be overturned before the end of the meeting.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

If you’ve been to a Georgia or Florida beach in recent years, you’ve likely seen the signs to leave sea turtles alone. Granted, you may not have seen the nighttime migration of the sea turtle , but the signs underscore the very reason why such sightings are rare.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

The nine-year-old reptile , called Mr Stubbs (pictured), was left unable to swim and faced a life on land before reptile experts in Phoenix, Arizona, created a new high-tech tail out of latex and silicone.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

The nine-year-old reptile , called Mr Stubbs (pictured), was left unable to swim and faced a life on land before reptile experts in Phoenix, Arizona, created a new high-tech tail out of latex and silicone.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Turtle Bay Exploration Park’s board last week announced it will ask a judge to overrule the California Department of Industrial Relations, which has said it must pay the prohibitively expensive prevailing wage on construction of a proposed four-star Sheraton hotel. Trade unions that had fought for the prevailing wage determination immediately doubled down, attempting to position themselves as …

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

By Sally Jones. Read more » » Check out John Rogers Stock Picks » Download GuruFolio Report of John Rogers (Updated on 03/08/2013) Related Stocks: VSR , ARGFX , CAAPX ,

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Action is being taken to help the protect the rarest lizard in the UK – the sand lizard – ensuring their new habitat in north Wales does not get overtaken by non-native vegetation.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

A group of prominent conservation groups have joined an alliance of African states in calling on CITES to ban the trade in wild cheetah for the pet trade.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

At the 2013 CITES convention in Bangkok, going on now, three U.S. and 44 Asian turtle species were given additional international protections.

From the BBC:

Proposals on a large number of Asian freshwater turtles and tortoises and other species popular with pet owners were accepted by the government negotiators meeting in the Thai capital.

Some of the amendments were proposed jointly by the United States and China, marking the first time these two countries have co-operated to protect reptiles.

Welfare campaigners have welcomed the move as a critical step to save these species.

Over half the world’s freshwater turtles are critically endangered . Along with tortoises, these species are much in demand by collectors and for food.

Read the full story here. …read more
Read more here: King Snake

By Herp News

A new report released by the Wildlife Conservation Society says that poachers have killed a staggering 62 percent of Africa’s forest elephants in the last decade. The insatiable demand for elephant ivory hails mainly from China and Thailand, which is ironically hosting this year’s CITES (CoP16) meeting. The meeting will continue until March 13 2013. The study is based on a survey of five elephant range states including Cameroon. Cameroon is the home of Bouba Ndjida National Park, where the dizzying massacre of 650 elephants occurred last year.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

The bad news about the future of reptiles and amphibians just keeps coming. From ScienceDaily:

Climate change could see dozens of lizard species becoming extinct within the next 50 years, according to new research published today. The often one-directional evolutionary adaptation of certain lizard species’ reproductive modes could see multiple extinctions as the global temperature increases.

Globally it has been observed that lizards with viviparous reproduction (retention of embryos within the mother’s body) are being threatened by changing weather patterns. A new study suggests that the evolution of this mode of reproduction, which is thought to be a key successful adaptation, could, in fact, be the species’ downfall under global warming.

Dr Daniel Pincheira-Donoso, from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Lincoln (UK), is the lead author of the paper detailing these amazing predictions, published today in the scientific journal Global Ecology and Biogeography.

The study abstract can be viewed here; subscribers can view the complete study, and non-subscribers can purchase access for US$35.

The Science Daily article is here.

Photo: University of Lincoln …read more
Read more here: King Snake

By Herp News

In 1853 Edward Frederick Kelaart, a physician and naturalist, collected a strange frog on the island of Sri Lanka then a British colony known as Ceylon. The specimen was a large shrub frog (about 2 inches or 5.5 centimeters long) with black-outlined white specks on lime-green skin. He dubbed it “starry” after its pale specks, but that was last anyone heard of it. Even the holotype—the body of the amphibian collected by Kelaart—went missing. Fast forward nearly 160 years—two world wars, Sri Lanka’s independence, and a man on the moon—when a recent expedition into Sri Lanka’s Peak Wilderness rediscovered a beguiling frog with pinkish specks.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Climate change could see dozens of lizard species becoming extinct within the next 50 years, according to new research. The often one-directional evolutionary adaptation of certain lizard species’ reproductive modes could see multiple extinctions as the global temperature increases.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

In order for dwindling lion populations to survive in Africa, large-scale fencing projects may be required according to new research in Ecology Letters. Recent estimates have put lion populations down to 15,000-35,000, a massive drop from a population that was thought to be around 100,000 in 1960. The worsening plight of lions have pushed the researchers to suggest what is likely to be a controversial proposal: fence the top predators in.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

In Florida, when the environment got out balance, the government decided to license hunters to slaughter snakes (and blows it, but that’s another story).

In India, when environmental degradation resulted in the deaths of snakes, at least one man decided to restore the stripped tree cover that had once shielded them from the blazing sun. From The Metro:

[Jadav] Payeng, who was 16 when he began the endeavour, apparently decided to plant the trees in northern India’s Assam region after he found local wildlife had suffered because there was no cover.

Today the site has an amazing 1,360 acres of jungle.

“The snakes died in the heat, without any tree cover,” he said.

“I sat down and wept over their lifeless forms. It was carnage. I alerted the forest department and asked them if they could grow trees there.”

How’s that for a life’s work? Read the rest here. …read more
Read more here: King Snake

By Herp News

Scientists have revealed in a new study, for the first time, the presence of the pathogenic chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in amphibians sampled in Singapore. And the American bullfrog may be a central player in the spread of the disease.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

When the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park received a $1 million gift to build a new reptile house last year, it presented the state with a unique situation.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Climate change could see dozens of lizard species becoming extinct within the next 50 years, according to new research. The often one-directional evolutionary adaptation of certain lizard species’ reproductive modes could see multiple extinctions as the global temperature increases.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Thayer Cueter, Snohomish county’s very own “Frog Lady” (and sometimes ” Turtle Lady”) poses a turtle while Blake Siegert, 8, of Lynnwood, snaps a photo with his portable game player Sunday at the Snohomish Public Library.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) released its he 2013-2014 National Pet Owners Survey, and found pet ownership in the United States is at an all-time high, with reptile ownership on the rise.

From KHOU.com:

While the number of households owning a pet has increased in all categories from the last survey, the proportion of ownership by species has remained fairly stable. Dogs and cats are still the most popular species, owned by 46.7 percent and 37.3 percent of U.S. households, respectively. After a decline in 2010, freshwater fish returned to ownership levels previously reported from 2000 to 2008 (12 percent). The same can be said for bird ownership, which dipped in 2008 and 2010 to five percent, but is now back up to 5.7 percent. Horse ownership rebounded in 2012, returning to 2.3 percent after a slight drop in 2010. Small animal and reptile ownership levels have increased to 5.7 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively. Saltwater fish ownership saw an increase as well, at 1.5 percent of the total (online) U.S. population. More households than ever before own small animals, reptiles or saltwater fish.

Read more here. …read more
Read more here: King Snake

By Herp News

NEW YORK and VALHALLA, N.Y., March 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Turtle Beach , leader in gaming audio, in partnership with Major League Gaming (MLG) , the world's largest eSports league, is making its full …

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Thayer Cueter, Snohomish county's very own “Frog Lady” (and sometimes “Turtle Lady”) poses a turtle while Blake Siegert, 8, of Lynnwood, snaps a photo with his portable game player Sunday at the Snohomish Public Library.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Thayer Cueter, Snohomish county's very own “Frog Lady” (and sometimes “Turtle Lady”) poses a turtle while Blake Siegert, 8, of Lynnwood, snaps a photo with his portable game player Sunday at the Snohomish Public Library.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

While a new study warns that up to 100M sharks are killed annually, there are signs out of China that demand for shark fin may be on the decline. A study published last week in the journal Marine Policy estimated shark deaths at 100 million in 2000 and 97 million in 2010, suggesting a slight drop in shark killing. Meanwhile reports out of China in recent months suggest an accelerating decline in shark fin consumption. China is the top market for shark fin, which is consumed as a status symbol, typically at wedding ceremonies and business dinners.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

THE fossilised remains of a new species of lizard that lived 125 million years ago have been discovered in Spain.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

More than 60 percent of Africa’s forest elephants have been killed in the past decade due to the ivory trade, reports a new study published in the online journal PLOS ONE. The study warns that the diminutive elephant species — genetically distinct from the better-known savanna elephant — is rapidly heading toward extinction.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com