USARK FL

04/09/2026

USARK FL will be releasing a 3 part documentary on the MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Holy Thursday Massacre this week on Youtube. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/8uTChlo7YW0?si=C3nvli-_061xbe0c

On April 6, 2023, a legal pet Boa owned by Bill McAdam, was misidentified as a Prohibited species and killed with a penetrating bolt gun. A subsequent necropsy revealed the snake was gravid and carrying 32 offspring.

Over 30 pythons (both Reticulated and Burmese pythons) belonging to Chris Coffee were also killed. These had been legally possessed prior to FWC’s 2021 rule changes that reclassified certain species as “Prohibited.” Coffee had attempted to comply with the new regulations.

We are not publicizing this issue simply to open old wounds or incite hatred against FWC. We are doing this as a reminder that when onerous policies are passed, resulting in overreaching enforcement actions, it affects real people and real living things. In this case, the mental and emotional trauma inflicted upon Bill McAdam, Chris Coffee, and their families is incalculable. This process has deprived Coffee of his life savings, his valuable collection of animals, and has even resulted in his family becoming homeless.

Policies are implemented by people, in this case the people who work at FWC. Even the most honest and competent people make mistakes. We know that there are good people at FWC with good intentions. However, when policies are written in such a way that they do not anticipate the worst possible outcomes, especially when the input of the people that they affect is not considered in the process, the results can be disastrous.

In this case, FWC's rules have not succeeded in reducing wild populations of invasive species. In fact, it is likely that the populations of pythons, iguanas, and tegus have only increased since the rules were passed. However, these rules have upended the lives of people and caused untold heartache. This has resulted in negative media attention and political backlash for FWC. If it is genuinely interested in creating policies that work, FWC must consider reptile keepers as partners, not as adversaries.

As for Chris Coffee and Bill McAdam, FWC should be absolutely eager to take care of them, whatever that takes.

04/08/2026

Over the past few years, I’ve been dealing with ongoing complicatio… Bonnie Person needs your support for Help Me Recover From Cancer & Save Verdant Vivariums

04/07/2026

Remembering FWC’s “Holy Thursday Massacre” Three Years Later

Look for the upcoming series on the USARK FL Youtube channel.

April 6, 2026 — April 6 marks the three-year anniversary of what reptile keepers have called the “Holy Thursday Massacre,” when MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) officers killed 32 pythons and one pregnant Boa constrictor at a reptile facility in Sunrise, Florida.

The Boa, a legal pet owned by Bill McAdam, was misidentified as a Prohibited species and killed with a penetrating captive bolt device. A subsequent necropsy revealed the 11-year-old snake was gravid (pregnant) and carrying 32 fully developed offspring.

The pythons (both Reticulated and Burmese pythons) belonged to Chris Coffee, who had legally possessed them prior to FWC’s 2021 rule changes that reclassified certain species as “Prohibited.” Coffee attempted to comply with the new regulations by rehoming many animals, but he was unable to do so within the state’s deadline. In 2022, FWC cited Coffee and placed the remaining snakes under “constructive seizure,” requiring him to continue caring for them but prohibiting their transfer or sale.

On April 6, 2023, FWC officers arrived at the facility and obtained a signed surrender of the animals. Coffee maintains he signed under threat of arrest. Over approximately two and a half hours, officers killed the snakes using a bolt gun. Video recorded at the scene shows that some of the snakes exhibited prolonged movement after being shot.

Despite being warned, officers also killed McAdam’s boa. FWC later described the incident as an “inadvertent euthanasia.”

Veterinarians have questioned both the method and ex*****on of the killings.

According to veterinarians citing American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines, captive reptiles—particularly pets—should be euthanized using sedation and chemical methods, not field techniques intended for wild animals.

The incident drew widespread media attention and millions of views online. USARK FL has called for increased accountability, including mandatory continuous body camera use, third-party data management, and transparency in euthanasia policies.

Three years later, McAdam’s lawsuit against FWC remains ongoing after unsuccessful attempts by the agency to have the case dismissed. USARK FL emphasizes that commemorating this anniversary is not intended to inflame tensions, but rather to highlight the real-world consequences of regulatory policy and enforcement actions. The organization continues to advocate for science-based, humane policies and collaboration between regulators and the reptile community.

For additional information, photos, or interview requests, contact USARK FL Director of Media Daniel Parker at [email protected]

03/30/2026

Seri is a mainstay in the reptile community, and many see her and her Cardigan Welsh corgi named Maxx at NARBC Tinley Park. Seri continually supports others, and now she can use a return of some of that good faith she exudes. If "what goes around comes around," Seri will witness an outpouring of support. Donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-seris-recovery-after-the-fire.

"As some of you know, Seri of the Grooming Gallery/Gallery Gekko/Creature Care Cards had a catastrophe last night . Seri's grooming shop suffered a fire. Not only is she going to be inoperable due to the damage in her shop, she lost some of her pet reptiles, and everyone's favorite shop pet, Toba the African Grey, whom she had owned for nearly 30 years. This, however, doesn’t just affect her shop; it is also her home. The shop and her home are connected, and she currently is staying with her family while being displaced. This is coming at the worst time, not that there is ever a good time for this tragedy. She is scheduled to have knee surgery in a few weeks. We all know it can be a struggle financially when you're off from work for a surgery, it's even harder when you're a small business owner as you don't get FLMA as a backup plan, no sick time to fall back on. Lost time at work is just...lost... (more at link).

We know asking for help on your own is hard, and this is where us as family/friends, as a community of animal lovers, as generous souls who simply want to help someone for the sake of help can help. This GoFundMe is to help try and offset some of these unexpected accruing expenses that are about to come up. Any contribution small or large will help, and be appreciated." - Melissa Walker

03/25/2026

This Eastern mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura) was photographed eating a Two-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma means) in Polk County, FL.

The Eastern mudsnake is a large nonvenomous aquatic snake that specializes in feeding on aquatic salamanders like Amphiumas and Sirens. Juvenile mudsnakes are known to feed on tadpoles and salamander larvae. Mudsnakes are common in wetlands and vegetated water bodies throughout the state of Florida, though their nocturnal and aquatic habits make them infrequently seen. Herpers sometimes encounter them crossing roads at night.

Mudsnake populations are undoubtedly reduced from historic levels due to habitat alteration and fragmentation. Destruction of wetlands for development, high traffic roads, and the spraying and removal of the aquatic vegetation which is essential to all aquatic reptiles and amphibians present an ever-increasing threat to mudsnakes in Florida.

Photo by Daniel Parker

03/24/2026

Python Skin Structure Wards Off Bacteria

From Phys.org:
"The dorsal scales of the ball python (Python regius) might offer a new physical solution for bacterial resistance. Analysis of the structure and composition of these scales has revealed sharp, regularly spaced microprotrusions—or, very tiny spikes—along the surface. The researchers posited that these spikes might act as protection against bacterial infections based on their size.

To determine whether snake scale topographies contributed to microbial defense, the team tested whether the scales effectively suppressed E. coli and S. aureus adhesion and biofilm formation.

The team measured bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on the snake scales and compared it to adhesion and biofilm formation on smooth polystyrene after 48 hours at 37°C. To ensure that effects were due to the physical features of the scales, they also tested ground, sterilized python skin in bacterial cultures."

Read full article here:
https://phys.org/news/2026-03-python-scales-host-microstructures-block.html

03/20/2026

Excited to announce that one of our Jacksonville volunteers will go live on WhatNot for a special fundraiser benefiting USARK-FL!

During the live stream, 50% of proceeds will go straight to USARK-FL to support their ongoing work protecting the rights of responsible reptile keepers in Florida — fighting for fair laws, education, and conservation efforts that benefit our entire community.

This is your chance to:

Tune into an awesome live session with Stuffed animals and some reptile vibes

Contribute to a great cause while enjoying the stream

Help ensure reptile keepers' voices are heard!

Live details:
Date & Time: Saturday, March 21 starting at 1PM EDT
Hosted by: Anslee | pageantsandpythons

Download/join WhatNot, follow [pageantsandpythons], and hop in live. Share this with your reptile friends — every bit of support counts!

Stream link:
https://www.whatnot.com/live/20d8b5c2-1924-46b8-b41f-158a05eb67c1

Learn more about USARK-FL: https://usarkfl.wildapricot.org

Let's rally together for reptile rights in FL!

03/17/2026

Scientific American reports:
"When merrymakers gather in the streets of Dublin for Ireland’s annual National St. Patrick’s Day Parade, one green-clad group won’t be there: snakes.

Saint Patrick, a fifth-century missionary from Roman Britain, is primarily known for spreading Christianity within Ireland. His other claim to folklore fame, however, comes from his supposed role as an exterminator—he’s said to have chased all the snakes out of Ireland with an ornate shepherd’s crook known as a crozier.

A haven for those with ophidiophobia, Ireland has zero native snake species. This snake-free status predates Saint Patrick, though. In fact, the fossil record suggests the island has never hosted wild serpents—or many other reptiles, for that matter.

“We really only have two reptiles,” says Collie Ennis, science officer at the Herpetological Society of Ireland and biodiversity officer at Trinity College Dublin. “We’ve got one native land reptile—that’s the common lizard.... We also have an introduced reptile in Ireland called the slow worm, and it’s a type of legless lizard.”

Most scientists agree that the most recent ice age, which ended approximately 11,700 years ago, is the reason for Ireland’s lack of reptile diversity. By the time glacial ice from the era receded and temperatures warmed enough for the ectotherms, Ireland had broken off from the European continent and was inaccessible to roaming reptiles.

Even today, Ireland is simply too cold for most snakes. Because reptiles cannot warm themselves internally like mammals can, they tend to prefer warm temperatures between 70 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (21 and 38 degrees Celsius) and can be rendered immobile or perish from lengthy cold spells. Ireland’s native common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) and the introduced slow worm (Anguis fragilis) are both much hardier and able to hibernate through the winter."

Read full article here:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-real-reason-ireland-has-no-snakes/

☘️

03/07/2026

USARK FL Auction on Palmstreet Tonight!

Protect your freedom to keep reptiles!

We will be coming to you LIVE on Palmstreet from Repticon Kissimmee Mar 7, 7PM EST ✨ Don’t miss out!

https://palmstreet.app/l/BZvkCx4H

We expect to have numerous awesome reptiles as well as a C Serpents Reptiles and Racks 24" Incubator.

Thanks so much for your support!

03/06/2026