The Lacey Act
The Lacey Act makes it illegal to “import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any wildlife that was taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law or regulation of any State or in violation of any foreign law.” The Lacey Act also pertains to wildlife whether alive or dead, and any part, product, egg, or offspring thereof. Amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, and crustaceans were given protection under the act through the Endangered Preservation Act of 1969, which amended the Lacey Act. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were able to prosecute turtle traffickers in 2012 through the amended provisions in the Lacey Act. Three individuals were sentenced under the act for illegally selling wild-caught turtles to China and falsifying documents.
The Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act
In 2016, Florida enacted legislation to protect five marine turtle species that swim off of the state's shore: the Leatherback, Loggerhead, Kemp's Ridley, Hawksbill, and Green Turtle. Most of these turtles are either endangered or threatened; for example, the Kemp's Ridley is the rarest sea turtle in the world and only has one major nesting beach, an area called Rancho Nuevo on the Gulf coast of Mexico. The statute restricts the taking, possession, disturbance, mutilation, destruction, selling, transference, molestation, and harassment of marine turtles, nests, or eggs.
Data Deficient (DD)- There is not enough data to directly assess an animal's risk of extinction.
Least Concern (LC)- A species does not qualify for near threatened, vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.
Near Threatened (NT)- The species may be vulnerable to endangerment in the future
Vulnerable (VU)- The species is threatened with extinction unless the circumstances that are threatening its survival and reproduction improve.
Endangered (EN)- The species is very likely to become extinct in its native habitat.
Critically Endangered (CR)- The species faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Extinct in the Wild (EW)- The only living members of the species are found in captivity or in a population outside their natural range.
Extinct (EX)- There is no reasonable doubt the last member of the species has died.
Not Evaluated (NE)- No evaluation has been conducted.
In addition to being listed on CITES, several states have enacted statutes to protect the rare, venomous reptile. In some states, such as Alabama, Massachusetts, and Oregon, residents can have the reptile as a pet after obtaining a permit. In other states, the resident does not need a permit; however, in some states, like Iowa, Utah, and New Jersey, it is illegal to own a Gila Monster.
Although taken off the endangered species list in 1987, the American Alligator still receives ample protection from state laws. For example, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas have programs to control problem or nuisance alligators as they allow hunters with permits to kill or facilitate the removal of alligators.
Under the Endangered Species Act, the Leatherback Turtle is listed as vulnerable. It is the state marine reptile of California. In other states, it is also protected under regulations that place it on threatened or endangered species lists. In Florida, it is also protected under the Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act along with several other marine turtle species.
The largest freshwater turtle in North America is considered an invasive species in several European Union countries, and some have laws prohibiting the possession of the animal. The IUCN lists the species as vulnerable, and it is protected by CITES. The three Floridian individuals who were convicted under the Lacey Act in 2012 were illegally trafficking Alligator Snapping Turtles.
The Timber Rattlesnake was designated the state reptile of West Virginia in 2008. The species is protected from pet collectors and traffickers by the Lacey Act. In several states, it is listed on their endangered and threatened species lists. A few examples include Illinois, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Virginia. Despite being listed on several states' endangered species lists, IUCN lists the animal as least concern.
This crocodile species can be found in southern Florida, the Caribbean, and several South American countries. Historically, habitat loss and hunting were the largest threats for the American Crocodile as many sought the animal's expensive hide. IUCN lists the animal as vulnerable. Under the Endangered Species Act, the animal is protected from poaching and hunting.
In the United States, axolotls are illegal to own in California, Maine, New Jersey, and D.C. A permit is required in New Mexico and Hawaii. In Canada, it is illegal to own axolotls in New Brunswick, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island, while a permit is required in Nova Scotia. The animal is listed as critically endangered by IUCN and is protected by CITES.
This rare frog is only found in several locales throughout the Pacific Northwest, including certain areas in Oregon, Washington, and California. It is also found in the southwestern area of British Columbia, where it is protected under Canada's Species at Risk Act. In the United States, predation by the introduced American Bullfrog and habitat loss are the largest threats to the animal. Additionally, the animal is protected by ESA as it was listed in 2014, and the states where it resides list it on their endangered species lists.
The Hellbender is the largest salamander in North America. IUCN lists the animal as near threatened, and was listed as an endangered species under ESA in 2011. In 2019, it became the official state amphibian of Pennsylvania in order to help spread awareness of the animal's status. Unlike other species, this salamander breathes through its skin, so it is vulnerable to pollutants and contaminants inserted in its freshwater habitat.
This rare, cave-dwelling amphibian can only be found in San Marcos, Texas. In its isolated environment, the animal is an apex predator, feeding upon aquatic invertebrates. The IUCN lists the animal as vulnerable, and it was listed as endangered under ESA. Texas also lists the species on its endangered and threatened species list. Since the animal is strictly aquatic, the largest threats to the animal's survival are groundwater overconsumption and contamination.
Endemic to California, this small toad's status was the basis for the case of Rancho Viejo, LLC v. Norton. The developer, Rancho Viejo, failed to challenge the Endangered Species Act, arguing that the Secretary of Interior could not protect the toad under the act. However, after Norton, the FSW has considered changing the animal's status from endangered to threatened. In addition to the Endangered Species Act, national parks in California have removed non-native predators of the toad, such as the American Bullfrog.
Although both vertebrates, amphibians and reptiles have several key characteristics to distinguish one from the other. A simple difference is reptiles are dry and scaly while amphibians lack scales and have moist, mucus-lined skin. The diverse environments of North America welcome a great variety of both reptiles and amphibians. Over 300 species of amphibians and 622 reptiles roam North America. David M. Green, Linda A. Weir, Gary S. Casper, & Michael Lannoo, North American Amphibians Distribution and Diversity, 2, 1st ed. Feb. 2022. For amphibians, all three orders live on the continent: Anura (frogs and toads), Caudata (salamanders and newts), and Gymnophiona (caecilians). For reptiles, there is also a great diversity: crocodiles, alligators, turtles, snakes, lizards, etc.
Despite the differences in appearance and classification, both amphibians and reptiles are sensitive to a wide-range of elements that could result in habitat loss or degradation. IUCN states that 41% of amphibian species and 21% of reptile species worldwide face extinction. The National Park Service (NPS) has released statements listing several factors that are detrimental to North American populations: invasive species, diseases, excessive human activity leading to habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. Pet-collecting is also a detrimental factor, especially for reptiles. For example, illegal collecting for the pet trade may be the biggest threat to the rare twin-spotted rattlesnake, which is only found in Mexico and southeastern Arizona. Despite the perils that reptile and amphibian populations face in North America, there are a plethora of laws, organizations, and agencies that educate others on herpetological issues and aim to protect the species.
PARC is an inclusive partnership dedicated to the conservation of the herpetofauna–reptiles and amphibians–and their habitats. Their membership includes individuals from state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, environmental consultants, and official state chapters across the United States.
The South Carolina Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (SCPARC)
Formerly known as the South Carolina Herpetological Society, SCPARC was established in 2020 as an official state chapter of the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.
