Reptile, amphibian, and other animal keepers will get some relief from the Department of Energy ban on specialty animal care light bulbs.
UPDATE: Reptile, amphibian, and other animal keepers will get some relief from the Department of Energy ban on specialty animal care light bulbs. Bulbs that were unreasonably banned will be available again, provided a special sticker is applied to the packaging. This is great news for animal welfare! We have an excerpt below and have included a link to the full Enforcement Policy Statement. Thank you to everyone who engaged on this issue!
“Pursuant to Executive Order 14154, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces that effective immediately it will not take enforcement actions against any seller of noncompliant general service lamps (GSL), where such GSLs are marketed and sold exclusively for use in the care of reptiles, amphibians, or other small animals. Any other sale of non-compliant GSLs is subject to the discretionary enforcement powers of DOE…
As DOE initiated enforcement actions for sales of noncompliant GSLs, veterinarian and zoo organizations, along with concerned reptile owners, reached out to DOE expressing concern over the sales ban, which they claimed prevents them from obtaining lamps used for the health and care of their reptiles, amphibians, and other small animals. These groups indicated that they regularly use certain lamps, which meet the GSL definition but fail to meet the standard, for the lamps’ infra-red and heating properties, which foster the growth and development of reptiles, amphibians, and other small animals. These groups have requested that DOE exempt from the GSL sales prohibition any lamp marketed and sold solely for use for the care of reptiles, amphibians, or other small animals…
To be given enforcement leniency under this policy, a manufacturer or retailer must affix to all such lamps the following warning label:
This lamp is only available for purchase under DOE’s limited Enforcement Policy for GSLs Marketed Exclusively for Animal Health and Care. The purchaser is advised to consider suitable, available substitutes.”
Read more at https://usark.org/24bulbs/.
ALERT: Lincoln County, NC
UPDATE 5/5/25: The hearing was tonight, and the Commissioners tabled the proposal (meaning they did not vote, and it will come back amended at a later date). No one spoke in favor of the proposal. Those who spoke in opposition included USARK’s Phil Goss, Buddy Waskey from the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA), one reptile owner, a young pet “exotic” (per this proposal) owner and her father, and several exotic mammal owners. The Commissioners stated that more research would be done before another proposal was presented. Thank you to everyone who opposed this very overreaching proposal that would have banned all pets except dogs and cats (and even those contradicted the bad definition of domesticated animals). Those who showed up stopped this!
previous alert: Lincoln County, North Carolina, has proposed a ban on all animals not native to North Carolina, so this applies to fish, birds, mammals, herps, and invertebrates. The County is updating its animal ordinance, but the draft includes some very overreaching measures. This does not seem to be intentional, but we do not want a poorly worded law to pass, as future enforcement could crack down on anyone, and the law could also be copied in other jurisdictions. Lawmakers need to hear opposition from local residents.
Lincoln County residents must contact City Council members ASAP! This may be voted on in May. We have a sample letter below. Remember to be civil and professional! If you are a non-resident (such as another organization, veterinarian, herpetologist, educator, professor, zoologist, relevant professional, etc.), please compose a letter and include your title and credentials.
What is proposed:
- A ban on all animals not native to North Carolina (as they will all be listed as “dangerous wild animals”);
- The only pets allowed as “domesticated animals” are those “that are indigenous to Lincoln County and normally, customarily share human habitation in Lincoln County and are normally dependent on humans for food and shelter in Lincoln County, such as dogs and cats.” (even though dogs and cats are not indigenous);
- A ban on ALL breeding of animals not native to North Carolina;…
Read the proposal text, contact information, a sample letter, and more at https://usark.org/25nc/.
Facebook alert at https://www.facebook.com/
The Reptile Talks
The hotel room block rate at the Hilton ends tonight (April 29). The special event rate saves you over $110 per night! Book your discounted hotel room and register at https://www.
Look at that speaker list! After a successful first event, it is almost time for the second installment of The Reptile Talks. Join us in Anaheim, California, May 16-18.
This conference is an effort to promote inclusion and provide content that is of benefit to the entire hobby, not just one segment or another. They are doing all of this to promote the responsible keeping of reptiles and amphibians under human care, with all funds left over after operational costs donated to USARK. Thank you, The Reptile Talks!
PLUS, your registration now includes a FREE USARK shirt! Select your size when registering.
Current speaker list:
Philippe de Vosjoli – one of the founding fathers of modern herpetoculture
Mike Stefani – Mike’s Monitors
Ed Kammer – Kammerflage Kreations
Roxana Peña Popo – Research Coordinator at Amphibian Foundation
Ari Flagle – Reptilandia Reptile lagoon
Armen Keuylian – HerpTime
Mark Miles – Pythons by Mark Miles
Bonnie Person – Verdant Vivariums
Cameron Lamb – Cameron Lamb Exotics
Zac Loughman – professor of biology at West Liberty University
Roy Arthur Blodgett – Wellspring Herpetoculture
Phil Goss – USARK
Schedule:
May 16: evening icebreaker
May 17: talks from 9:00-5:00 and benefit auction at 6:00
May 18: talks from 9:30-5:00
Register and book a hotel room at https://www.
See the speaker list and talk information at https://www.
Website: https://www.
Facebook: https://www.
Instagram: @thereptiletalks
ALERT: Federal Herp and Fish Regulations
More information and text of the previous bill version are available at https://usark.org/25us/.
Representative Betty McCollum (MN) has reintroduced a bill titled “To amend the Animal Welfare Act to include cold-blooded species as animals, and for other purposes.” McCollum introduced this at the end of the last session (died with session adjournment), and it is back this session as HR2976. The bill should be identical to last session’s introduction, but the text has not yet been posted.
This bill adds reptiles, amphibians, fish, and cephalopods as “animals” under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), meaning the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must develop new regulations. Basically, the USDA would now be required to license and inspect facilities and breeders with these animals. Businesses would need to comply with the new USDA regulations. The USDA began inspecting and licensing aviculturists (bird breeders) in 2024 (for new licensees). The bill has been assigned to the House Agriculture Committee. We will post more information when available.
UPDATE: New Palestine, IN
UPDATE 4/16/25: The town meeting was tonight, and the Council voted no to the proposed language. The Council mentioned several times that they appreciated hearing concerns from New Palestine residents and receiving education from local animal owners and USARK. Several people spoke in opposition (none in support), including town residents, representatives from the Hoosier Herpetological Society (Holly and Roger Carter in person and Jim Horton previously spoke to the Town Council President), Bird Fever (Indianapolis bird store), USARK’s Phil Goss, and others.
The Council stated that the current ordinance (which bans all animals not native to Indiana and dates back 80 years) needs to be amended, and that work would continue. The Council expressed how much they had learned and made it clear that they would work to make good changes. Thank you to everyone who spoke tonight and all those who worked on this issue over the last two weeks after USARK posted our alert, which brought awareness to this proposal.
What was proposed:
- A ban on ALL breeding of reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and exotic animals.
- A ban on all reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and exotic animals in apartments and multi-family dwellings (dictating what property owners do with their rental properties).
- Pet limit of four. Specifically, illegal to own “More than four (4), individually or in any combination, of reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey or exotic animals.”
- A ban on any animal longer or taller than 5′.
- A ban on sales and transfers of all reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and exotic animals.
- A ban on “dangerous” reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and exotic animals… Specifically, “Dangerous” shall include, but not be limited to, any reptile, arachnid, bird of prey or exotic animal that due to its size, venom, strength, training, temperament or behavior constitutes a significant or serious risk of physical harm to human beings or other animals.
- No grandfathering provision (with the City’s rationale that all animals not native to Indiana are labeled as “exotic animals” and currently banned, so they should not be grandfathered).
- Ban on venomous animals.
- Ban on public displays and walking around town with your reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and exotic animals unless permitted. (An acceptable proposal.)
Read the original alert at https://usark.org/25in/.
other ALERTS & UPDATES
FWC Considers Iguana and Tegu Rule Changes
“USARK Florida has been in talks with leadership from MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) on proposed changes to rules affecting Green Iguanas and Tegus in Florida. FWC is considering expanding the abilities of collectors to take wild Green iguanas and Tegus for sale and export.” – USARK FL
From MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife:
“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking feedback from all interested parties on proposed rule change concepts relating to nonnative species…
Comments regarding these topics can be submitted through the Nonnative Species Rule Making Comments form or via email at NonnativeSpeciesRules@MyFWC.
These changes MIGHT (on the agenda but see FWC disclaimer) be heard at the May 21-22 Commission Meeting in Ocala. Details at https://myfwc.com/about/
ALERT: South Carolina Venomous Ban
UPDATE 3/19/25: The hearing was today, and South Carolina venomous keepers showed up to oppose. 16 herpetoculturists spoke in opposition to the bill, and many more were in the room. No one spoke in support. Those who testified represented the responsible reptile-keeping community very well. There was no vote today, and it was stated that there will be a second subcommittee hearing at which a vote will occur. If passed from the subcommittee, the bill would go before the full committee. Good job, and thank you to those who testified today and everyone who submitted written opposition.
South Carolina House Bill 3937 (H3937) was introduced on Feb. 6, 2025, by Representative Hixon. It will ban venomous reptiles (list below). The bill makes it illegal to import into, possess, keep, purchase, have custody or control of, reproduce, or sell within this State. Current owners can get permits and must register their animals within 90 days of the effective date.
Get full details at https://usark.org/25sc/.
Light Bulb Ban
Read more information with action alert at https://usark.org/
In 2022, the Department of Energy (“Department”) passed a regulation that banned certain incandescent light bulbs. Basically, light bulbs are deemed inefficient if they do not emit a certain amount of lumens per watt. This was meant to transition from less efficient bulbs to more efficient lighting, like LED bulbs.
Reptile lighting is a specialty item and is not used for general-purpose lighting in homes and businesses. However, certain bulbs were reviewed solely on how many lumens they produced per watt. Herp keepers know that halogen and basking bulbs are not used in household lamps for general lighting.
Read the rest and take action at https://usark.org/24doe/.
ALERT: Connecticut Animal Breeder Regulations
UPDATE 2/21: HB5902 failed to be “raised” before the deadline, which was today. The bill is dead for this session. Thank you for your support that made USARK’s work on this bill possible!
Connecticut House Bill 5902 would ban the breeding of animals unless the person or company is licensed by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to create guidelines for the breeding of animals, develop a breeder registry, collect registration fees, and perform annual inspections of such breeders.
Alert at https://usark.org/25ct/.
ALERT: Connecticut Exotic Animal Ban
UPDATE 2/21: HB5905 failed to be “raised” before the deadline, which was today. The bill is dead for this session. Thank you for your support that made USARK’s work on this bill possible!
Connecticut House Bill 5905 would ban the trade of exotic animals.
Alert at https://usark.org/25ct1/.
ALERT: ESA Modernization Bill
HR102 was introduced by Representative Andy Biggs (Arizona). This bill amends the Endangered Species Act to prevent a species that is not native to the United States from being listed as an endangered or threatened species.
Alert at https://usark.org/25esa/.
ALERT: Diamondback Terrapin ESA Listing
Snippet: On September 19, 2024, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service (informally known as NOAA Fisheries and an agency within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA) to list the Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA)…
Read the full alert at https://usark.org/24esa3/.
ARTICLE: “Light bulb ban threatens reptile, amphibian welfare” by the Veterinary Infomation Network
snippet: “The ban should be a concern of animal caretakers for many species,” said Latney, a senior veterinarian at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center who also is chair of the Association for Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV). “This is particularly true for captive reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammal species that have limited exposure to natural, unfiltered sunlight.”
Read the full article at https://news.vin.com/
SPRING CLEANING SHIRT SALE!
Three styles are available for only $15-$17.50 shipped plus FREE swag!
Click the image or this link to BUY NOW! https://usark.org/shop/
This screen-printed cotton/polyester blend shirt is extremely soft and wrinkle-resistant.
Adeline Robinson created the artwork at https://www.
Find A Vet
Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/
