Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy

Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy ARC identifies and conserves the highest priority places for amphibians and reptiles in the US.
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https://arcprotects.org/
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ARC is the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on identifying and conserving the highest priority places for amphibians and reptiles in the United States. We protect endangered amphibians and reptiles through a strategic, scientific, and passionate approach that allows us to make a real difference.

*Biiiiig stretch.* “Alright. Time to show her my cheeks.” - male broad-headed skinksWhether they’ll be dazzled by his ma...
06/19/2026

*Biiiiig stretch.* “Alright. Time to show her my cheeks.” - male broad-headed skinks

Whether they’ll be dazzled by his mature lack of stripes or his chonky, chonky red cheeks, the female broad-headed skinks better look out!

During their breeding season, from April to June, the males of this species will kick up their display in the hopes of finding a mate (or a few). In late spring, the orange to red heads of males become larger and more vibrant, and females prefer males with the brightest-colored heads.

After mating, male broadhead skinks stand guard over the females for around one week and fight off other males that attempt to breed with them. About 30 days later, a female will lay up to 25 eggs, often in a rotting log, and she broods them, meaning that she stays with them until they hatch.

Once grown, they’ll be 6-13 inches in length, making them the largest native lizards in the Southeast.

When they’re not mating or hiding, these lizards hunt a variety of invertebrates, including spiders, snails, and insects, and even other lizards, lizard eggs, and small snakes.

Broad-headed skinks are found in a multitude of habitats across the central and eastern US, from cypress swamps and moist hardwood forests to pine stands and rocky outcrops. ARC helps to protect habitats like these in PARCAs (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Area) across the country.

Want to put your best lizard-foot forward and learn more about native species? Tap the follow button today.

Photos:
1 & 2. naturengers, CC-BY
3. Jess Meck
4. John Sullivan, CC-BY-NC

Who needs a fitness influencer when you have the greater earless lizard?They have built in sound cancelling headphones a...
06/18/2026

Who needs a fitness influencer when you have the greater earless lizard?

They have built in sound cancelling headphones and love to crank out some push ups to attract a mate.

The male lizards also love to show off with squats and head bobbing to assert their dominance and attract females. And as their name suggests, greater earless lizards lack external ear openings. However, their internal ears do give them some ability to hear.

Male greater earless lizards are a bit larger than females. They reach about seven inches long in total length, including their long tails, and males have bright blue patches on their bellies.

When threatened, rather than puffing out their chest or flexing their muscles, they often curl their tail up over their backs. Their black and white banded tail can distract potential predators as they thrash it about and sprint away. If caught, their tails can break off easily to allow them to escape. They can regenerate their tails, but they usually grow back shorter.

Right now, greater earless lizards are just gearing down from their active mating season. They typically breed in the spring and females lay eggs in sandy soil in the summer that will hatch after about seven weeks. They’re dormant for the winter in a state of brumation (like hibernation). Then, they’ll reemerge in the spring to resume their workouts across their range, which includes parts of Mexico, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

At ARC, our exercise regimen includes surveying the landscape, restoring habitats, and protecting amphibians and reptiles. Learn about these workouts and the rest of our efforts at ARCProtects.org/work.

Photos:
1. Colby Ingram, CC-BY-NC
2. Mike Stewart, CC-BY-NC
3. ntlnwmn, CC-BY-NC
4. Keirstin G. Pratt, CC-BY-NC

Ever heard it said that Florida is the Australia of the United States? Well, the American crocodile is here to make that...
06/17/2026

Ever heard it said that Florida is the Australia of the United States? Well, the American crocodile is here to make that statement feel especially true on this World Croc Day!

One of the two crocodilian species found in the US, the American crocodile is a reclusive species native to South Florida. They typically live in brackish or saltwater areas but are sometimes found inland in freshwater thanks to the state’s extensive canal system.

Within their range, they coexist with the American alligator, with which they are often confused.

One of the easiest ways to tell a crocodile from an alligator is by observing (from a distance) the shape of their snout and remembering the phrase, “See u later, alligator.”

You see, alligators have rounded, U-shaped snouts, while crocodiles have narrow, V-shaped snouts, with some of their bottom teeth visible even when their mouths are closed.

Male American crocodiles are larger than females, typically up to 14 feet in length, while breeding females average 8 to 12 feet.

During the breeding season, these crocodiles will construct mounded nests of dirt and natural materials. After laying their eggs, female American crocodiles will visit their nest with increasing frequency as incubation comes to an end. And, once hatching begins, the female may dig open the nest and even assist her hatchlings by carrying them to the water to disperse.

Much like the American alligator, crocodiles were once hunted for their skin, and the species experienced significant population declines between the 1930s and 1960s. But with time, habitat restoration, and hunting regulations, their numbers have since recovered.

The future of these down-under-like residents depends on the continued restoration and protection of the Florida Everglades ecosystem and suitable coastal habitats.

Ready to croc on with more amphibian and reptile facts? Follow our page today!

American crocodile photos: Ryan McGreevy

Alright, frog fandom. We’re back with another batch of existential-looking frogs. The people want what the people want, ...
06/16/2026

Alright, frog fandom. We’re back with another batch of existential-looking frogs.

The people want what the people want, alright?

It’s not just the disappearing habitats or the invasive species that have these frogs staring off into the misty beyond. More than likely, they’re actually thinking about one thing: breeding.

What a life!

Most frogs depend on seasonal rains to create safe, fish-free havens for their eggs. Water keeps gelatinous egg masses moist until they are ready to hatch, and, once hatched, tadpoles need space to swim and grow until they metamorphose into adults.

The necessity of these precious water sources is exactly why we’re so motivated to conduct habitat restorations. While we can’t control the weather or turn these froggy frowns upside down, we can work to improve a landscape's ability to hold rain when it does come.

To do this, we remove invasive plants, clear overgrown brush, and restore healthy fire regimes. Across the country, we use these methods in PARCAs (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Areas), where our efforts can have the greatest possible impact for imperiled species.

By restoring the areas these amphibians use to breed and repairing waterway hydrology to improve connectivity between habitats, our strategic work is helping safeguard the future of our native species.

With proper protections, the meme opportunities will never cease to come!

Now that you’ve had your daily dose of frogs, would you like a salamander, snake, or turtle dose too? We’ve got them all! Take a break with your favorite amphibians and reptiles anytime by following our page today.

Photos:
1. Wood frog, John White
2. American green treefrog, Matthew Goetz
3. Squirrel treefrog, John White
4. Southern toads, Ryan McGreevy
5. Squirrel treefrog, Ryan McGreevy
6. American toad, José Garrido

Rare aesthetic: Jamming out to Eminem while restoring critical turtle habitat.Iykyk.You can spot a biologist by the chai...
06/15/2026

Rare aesthetic: Jamming out to Eminem while restoring critical turtle habitat.

Iykyk.

You can spot a biologist by the chainsaw in their hand and the biodiverse stickers on their water bottle, but how do you spot a turtle?

Well, by their shell, of course.

This incredible adaptation is what sets these animals apart, making them easily recognizable and simultaneously shielded from predators. And that worked quite well as a defense. That is, until habitat loss brought a greater threat than the jaws of any predator.

Few species illustrate this challenge better than the bog turtle, a habitat specialist that relies on open, sunny mountain wetlands. These wetlands, often called bogs, fens, or wet meadows, are among the Southeast's most endangered ecosystems.

Earlier this year, we restored a wetland in the Southern Appalachians where an illegal ditch had drained all the water from the area and degraded habitat for bog turtles. Restoring the site meant reversing the effects of that ditch. By installing a series of log structures, we were able to slow the movement of water and raise the water table, allowing water to once again spread across the wetland.

"We are basically acting like beavers, stuffing logs and mud into a stream that slows flow and raises the water table," ARC Southern Appalachians Program Coordinator Emilly Nolan said.

And we bet the beavers would do a celebratory shoulder press with their downed logs, too, if they could.

Want to learn more about how we’re protecting imperiled species like the bog turtle? Subscribe to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, today to get conservation updates delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up today at tinyurl.com/subscribeARC.

Photos:
1. Tree cutting during restoration, Emilly Nolan
2. Juvenile bog turtle, José Garrido
3. Removing invasive species, Emilly Nolan
4. ARC Biologists in a bog, Emilly Nolan
5. Bog turtle, Emilly Nolan

06/14/2026

Muddy boots, lots of snacks, and a thousand questions…

Protecting amphibians and reptiles often doesn’t start with a degree or a job title. It starts with tagging along on a hike or listening to frogs in a pond.

This National Children’s Day, we’re celebrating the young explorers with endless curiosity who remind us that conservation begins with connection.

When children spend time outdoors, nature becomes more than a topic in a textbook. Whether they’re solving the mystery of a frog call or snapping a photo of a turtle basking on a log, these are the small moments that can lead to a meaningful appreciation of the world around them.

Our team has seen firsthand how powerful these experiences can be. Kids joining Biologists in the field develop an understanding of wildlife and how the species we study depend on their habitats. They learn patience while searching for animals, resilience when faced with challenges, and excitement about the ways they can make a difference.

Kids are also incredible educators. Those exciting wildlife facts don’t just stay in their minds. They’re broadcast through show-and-tell at school or those car rides where their encyclopedic knowledge about a species becomes the soundtrack to your commute.

Today’s children will be tomorrow’s scientists, politicians, and stewards. One small experience in nature can spark excitement and connection.

So this National Children’s Day, we encourage you to get outside with your little adventurers and let their curiosity lead the way.

Videos & photos (wildlife handled under permit):
1. Hiking in the Francis Marion PARCA, José Garrido
2. Checking drift fences, Ab Abercrombie
3. Holding a box turtle, Ab Abercrombie
4. Searching wetlands with nets, Sydney Sheedy
5. eDNA water sampling, Sydney Sheedy
6. Coloring in the field, Sydney Sheedy
7. Holding a southern hognose snake, Sydney Sheedy

06/13/2026

Either way, we’re trying to get near these northern pinesnakes like their own personal squad of paparazzi.

Though native to nine eastern US states, in the South Carolina Lowcountry, they’re a rare animal to encounter. That’s because they spend much of their time underground, and when on the surface, their camouflage and behavior make them very difficult to spot.

However, what we do know is that they’ve experienced significant population declines and extirpations (local extinctions) in the Eastern US. Several threats have contributed to the declines, the most impactful of which are habitat loss and degradation.

That’s why we’re working to protect and study them in our Francis Marion PARCA (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Area) in South Carolina. Here, ARC Biologists have worked with our partners to outfit northern pinesnakes with radio transmitters that allow us to track their movements even when they’re underground.

This tracking has helped us identify nesting spots, place trail cams to track nest emergence, and follow the health of individual snakes over time.

The data we collect about northern pinesnakes will help us determine the best ways to manage and restore their habitats so future generations can enjoy these secretive beauties too.

Want to learn more about where else we’re working? Subscribe to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, and we’ll send the inside scoop on our conservation work straight to your inbox.

Sign up today at tinyurl.com/subscribeARC.

Northern pinesnake photos:
1 & 2. Maddie Prickett
3. Eitan Grunwald
4 & 5. Ryan McGreevy
6. Devin Welch

SnakeConservation

Hear ye, hear ye! This radio segment is one you won’t want to miss.As recently featured on National Public Radio’s All T...
06/12/2026

Hear ye, hear ye! This radio segment is one you won’t want to miss.

As recently featured on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered and in a web article, ARC Biologists are working hard to protect one of America's most imperiled salamanders.

Threatened frosted flatwoods salamanders have “gotten the fuzzy end of the lollipop in terms of habitat destruction and habitat fragmentation,” ARC Project Coordinator Nicole Dahrouge explains in this segment.

And she’s not overstating it. These salamanders rely on healthy longleaf pine ecosystems for foraging, hiding, and successful reproduction. But, with less than 3% of these historic forests remaining and many of them facing severe drought, these salamanders need help to survive.

So, we’ve stepped in with a tried-and-true conservation strategy: headstarting.

Crouching and crawling through the tall grasses of the Florida Panhandle, our team searches diligently for tiny clutches of salamander eggs. Once found, they’re taken into the care of our team and raised in captivity until they are past their most vulnerable stages of life.

At the same time, our team is out in longleaf pine forests, removing invasive species, restoring wetlands, and working to create more suitable habitat for these salamanders. With any luck, once these larvae are released back into the wild, they’ll one day fill the landscape with offspring of their own.

From descriptions of the “world’s itchiest scavenger hunt” to exploring the importance of targeted interventions for species survival, get a full look at the work being done to protect this beautiful salamander by checking out the full story.

Find the article and radio segment: www.npr.org/2026/05/27/nx-s1-5631833/endangered-salamander-extinction-vortex-wildlife-conservation.

Graphics and photos: NPR/Nathan Rott

06/11/2026

“And I need you
And I miss you”

- Vanessa Carlton and more than 350 species singing into a gopher tortoise burrow like it’s an early 2000s rom com

Today’s Wild Turtle Week theme is “Turtle Power: Turtles play important roles in their ecosystems.”

At first glance, gopher tortoises seem like independent introverts, minding their business, digging burrows, and munching on grass and seeds. However, these underground architects serve as the ultimate landlords of the Southeastern US.

Gopher tortoises are natural excavators, with shovel-like forelimbs and powerful hind legs, which they use to dig burrows up to 30 ft long and 8 ft deep. These burrows protect them from extreme heat, drought, and fire.

They also provide shelter for more than 350 other species. This is why gopher tortoises are considered a keystone species, which means it plays a crucial role in an ecosystem, and without them, the whole ecosystem could collapse.

Historically, these tortoises thrived in the longleaf pine forests that once blanketed the southeastern landscape. Unfortunately, less than 3% of these ecosystems remain due to fire suppression and habitat loss.

At ARC, we work with partners to restore these habitats with invasive species removal, strategic thinnings, and controlled burns to keep the forest floors suitable for native species, like these lifesaving landlords.

Want more turtle power content? Subscribe to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, to get conservation updates delivered straight to your inbox: tinyurl.com/subscribeARC

Videos:
1 & 11. Gopher tortoise, Devin Welch
2. Gopher frog, Jeff Holmes
3. Green anole, Devin Welch
4. Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Jeff Holmes
5. Oak toad, Ryan McGreevy
6. Spotted turtle, Jeff Holmes
7. Eastern indigo snake, Jeff Holmes
8. Southern red salamander, Jeff Holmes
9. Green tree frog, Jeff Holmes
10. Chicken turtle, Devin Welch

06/10/2026

Every turtle. Everywhere.

We’re continuing Wild Turtle Week with some love for one of our favorite things ever: turtles. So, it’s perfect that today’s theme is Every Turtle Counts.

Don’t be jealous of their place in our hearts. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! After all, turtles need all the help they can get.

In the US, we host the biggest biodiversity of turtle species in the world. The downside to that incredible diversity is the target it places on native turtles for illegal collection and trafficking. Every year, thousands of turtles and tortoises are confiscated from traffickers in our country, and worldwide, it’s an even bigger issue.

With more than half of all turtle species already at risk of extinction, the trafficking of turtles is a global conservation emergency. Worst of all, these animals are among the least equipped to cope with losses.

Most turtles have very low reproduction rates, and many species take more than ten (or even twenty!) years to reach sexual maturity. On top of this, the survival rates of young turtles are often extremely low, as they play an integral role in the food web for larger species, such as foxes, weasels, snakes, and birds.

These slow-moving, slow-to-mature animals need our help to survive. At ARC, we’re showing our love and dedication alongside a passionate network of partners. From restoring habitats to headstarting (captive-raising) vulnerable hatchlings and supporting initiatives aimed at reducing demand for illegally collected and exported turtles, we’re working to turn the tide.

And you can be a part of the solution too! Encourage your friends and family to respect and protect wild turtles. Together, we can work to .

Want to keep learning more? Make sure to follow our page today!

Photos:
Top left: Male wood turtle, Jess Meck
Top right: Mud turtle (handled under permit), Lucas Geurs
Bottom left: Common snapping turtle, Eitan Grunwald
Bottom right: Eastern musk turtle, Eitan Grunwald

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6844 Bardstown Road Ste 677
Louisville, KY
40291

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