Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy

10/14/2026

😎 Cool desert nights and hot Mojave merch.

We’re celebrating the amphibians and reptiles of the Mojave Desert with a giveaway of exclusive Mojave-inspired merch.

The best part? Entry is FREE and just a couple clicks away.

For a chance to win, simply subscribe to our free e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, by October 31. No purchase necessary. Plus, subscribers can win exclusive Gila monster apparel that will only be available during this campaign.

Already a subscriber? You're automatically entered. Now it’s time to invite a friend to this Mojave meet-and-greet. Share this giveaway and help us spread the word about amphibian and reptile conservation.

After October 31, 2026, we’ll randomly draw the winners for this brand new ARC merch!

Prizes feature one-of-a-kind Mojave-inspired artwork by Kara Mohr:
- Sweatshirts
- T-shirts
- Tote bags
- Notebooks
- Skateboard decks
- Puzzles
- Pint glasses
- Framed art prints
- Greeting cards
- Mugs
- Zipper pouch
- Magnets
- Stickers

You may be wondering what’s included in The ARC’ives e-newsletter? Great question!

Well, this free e-newsletter shares exciting updates about our on-the-ground conservation work in PARCAs (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Areas) across the US. You’ll get an exclusive look at our experts in the field and learn how you can support imperiled amphibians and reptiles.

A chance at free merch AND conservation updates? That’s a win!

Subscribe by October 31, 2026:
mailchi.mp/arcprotects/mojave26.

More info and rules:
ARCProtects.org/mojave

Prizes will be mailed to winners following the conclusion of the campaign. Offer is valid for US addresses only. You must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Artwork: Kara Mohr

10/14/2026

Hatch date: Hogtober.

October, or as many of us fondly call it, “Hogtober,” is one of the southern hognose snake’s two peak activity periods of the year, making it a great time for our team to be surveying for these secretive snakes in South Carolina’s Francis Marion PARCA (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Area).

Most of the snakes our team encounters are either crossing roads or showing up in drift fence traps. We recently expanded our drift fences to five larger arrays, including one specifically placed in an area known for southern hognoses. We check the traps every day during the peak activity season.

One especially cool find was a newly hatched southern hognose, weighing just 4 grams when it was found in a drift fence trap. But it’s not just the neonates that are out and about now.

This time of year, southern hognoses of all ages are active on the surface. Young snakes are emerging from nests laid during the summer in search of their first meals, while juveniles and adults are looking for their last meals of the season or moving toward places to spend the winter.

The dryness of this season is likely impacting the number of snakes being found, but our team stays motivated to monitor these imperiled populations.

Before we can carry out targeted conservation actions for southern hognose snakes, we need to understand what they need from their habitats. The data we collect helps inform our habitat restoration and prescribed fire work with partners, giving these snakes their best odds.

Want to stay up-to-date with what we’re doing? Subscribe to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, and we’ll send updates straight to your inbox. C’mon… we promise we won’t hog it!

Subscribe today at: ARCProtects.org/newsletter.

Photos (wildlife handled under permit):
1. Southern hognose neonate, Ben Morrison
2. Southern hognose snake, Justin Oguini
3-4. Checking Francis Marion drift fence traps, Jessica Whatley
5. Southern hognose drift fence capture, Sydney Sheedy

10/13/2026

Tag a friend in the comments below with their vibe.

When you tag them or tell us which genus (group) best captures your own vibe, we’ll send you a link for a bonus entry into our free giveaway where we’ll be drawing winners for 52 Mojave-inspired prizes. Just enter your email on the linked page to double your chances of winning.

Want to dip your fringed toe into the prize pool? Everyone subscribed to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, by October 31, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win. But during the month, we’re sharing extra Mojave activities that will give you a chance at earning bonus entries.

Last week, we shared our Mojave personality quiz, and anyone who discovered their Mojave alter ego earned a bonus entry to our giveaway.

This week, we want to know which genus of these Mojave species best fits your vibe. Just comment below to be sent your bonus entry link! Enter your email address on the page to claim your bonus entry and get double the chances to win.

Prizes will be mailed to winners following the conclusion of the campaign. Offer is valid for US addresses only. You must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Art: Kara Mohr

Photos, CC-BY-NC (left to right):
1.
Southern toad, kennedyhanson
Arizona toad, Max Wolf Breshears
2.
Texas horned lizard, Yinan Li
Greater short-horned lizard, Carla Kishinami
3.
Gopher tortoise, Yinan Li
Sonoran desert tortoise, stevetracey
4.
Common chuckwalla, wildyuen1
Common chuckwalla, gavitp
5.
Northern leopard frog, bahubbard
Green frog, squidface
Wood frog, Jay Heiser
6.
Texas banded gecko, Iván Trinidad Ahumada Carrillo
Reticulate banded gecko, scottwahlberg
7.
Gila monster, Robert Dobbs
Gila monster, Christian Schwarz
8.
California slender salamander, Chris Roberts
Black-bellied slender salamander, Grigory Heaton
9.
Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard, John Sullivan
Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, hsug1747
10.
Panamint rattlesnake, Yinan Li
Prairie rattlesnake, edporopat
11.
Texas nightsnake, Thomas Belford
Sonoran nightsnake, Max Ramey

10/12/2026

This turtle's shell has a map. Its river has a history.

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day we’re recognizing the important connection between people, wildlife, and land.

This intersection is seen in the Pearl River, which flows through what is now known as Mississippi and Louisiana. This river has been a centerpoint for wildlife and Indigenous communities across many generations. One of those communities was the Acolapissa tribe.

The Acolapissa, which means "those who hear and see," lived in several villages along the Pearl River until the early 1700s. Though no longer a distinct tribe, they relied on this river for much of their livelihood. Over time, the Acolapissa people relocated and joined the Houma and other Indigenous communities.

The Pearl River is also where the Pearl River map turtle lives, the only place in the world it’s found. Fallen trees provide space for this species to bask and forage for mussels and insects. Females are up to about 11 inches long and are considerably larger than males, which are usually around 3-5 inches long.

Less than 22,000 Pearl River map turtles remain in the wild, and they were declared Threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2024. The remaining turtles face numerous threats, including habitat loss, sea level rise, and illegal collection.

The Pearl River reminds us that behind every landscape is culture, community, history, and habitat worth protecting.

We honor the knowledge and land stewardship of Indigenous communities, who have a long history with reptiles and amphibians in North America’s ecosystems.

Learn about ARC’s work for this species and the many others that share the Pearl River Basin on the tribal lands of the Acolapissa: ARCProtects.org/pearlriverbasin

Photos:
1. Kevin Hutcheson
2. Vitek Jirinec, CC-BY-NC
3 & 4. Bryan Box, CC-BY-NC

10/11/2026

Sure, they’re pretty. But this species’ lore goes so much deeper.

In the Mojave Desert, you need more than good looks to survive. Let’s take a look at some of the qualities that have earned Gila monsters so many aura points:

Large size
These large lizards can weigh up to 4 pounds and reach lengths of 22 inches, making them the largest native lizard species in the US. Their large size allows them to prey on bird eggs, rodents, frogs, and lizards, all of which they can swallow whole.

Bumpy skin
The bead-like bumps covering their bodies are bony structures called osteoderms. This hard surface acts like armor, protecting these lizards from potential predators. It may also support body temperature regulation in extreme desert habitats.

Venomous bite
Gila monsters are one of very few venomous lizard species in the world. Rather than fangs, Gila monsters have venom-producing glands in their lower jaws. They bite down and venom flows into their prey as they chew with large, grooved teeth.

Slow speed
These slow-moving lizards instead depend on their sense of smell to track down their next meal. They use their long forked tongue to collect scent particles and then follow the trail to find prey. Fortunately, they can survive on very few meals each year, and they can store fat in their tails.

Ready for more pretty (and impressive) species? Subscribe to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, by October 31, and you’ll be entered to win new Mojave-inspired merch that will make you feel as pretty as a Gila monster. Sign up at mailchi.mp/arcprotects/subscribe26.

Already a subscriber? You're automatically entered. Keep an eye on our social media throughout the month for fun bonus entry opportunities.

Entering to win is free. You must be 18 years or older to enter and have a US address.

Photos:
1 & 2. Brandon Dietrich, CC-BY-NC
3. Yinan Li, CC-BY-NC
4. Alvaro Monter Pozos, CC-BY-NC
5. Jing-Yi Lu, CC-BY-NC
6. Mojave Desert artwork, Kara Mohr

10/10/2026

Not to glaze the Mojave fringe-toed lizard, but these adaptations are dialed in.

Living in the Mojave Desert has its challenges, but these lizards have several adaptations to help them survive. First, they’re named for the specialized fringe scales on their feet that act like snowshoes on fine, shifting sand. This keeps them from sinking into the sand as they move.

These lizards spend most of their time in sand, and they sometimes even bury themselves to maintain body temperature or hide from predators. Fortunately, they have overlapping eyelids, specialized scales over their ears, and valve-like nostrils to keep sand out.

Their spotted, rosette patterning on their skin helps them camouflage and hide from potential predators, but if that doesn’t work, they rely on speed. Mojave fringe-toed lizards can run up to 23 mph, often running only on their hind legs.

Some of the juveniles are active all year, but the adults brumate (like hibernation) from October to March in rodent burrows or by burying themselves in the sand. They mostly eat insects, spiders, scorpions, and sometimes small lizards. They also eat seeds, leaves, and flowers.

Okay, we’ll stop glazing this species, but our new Mojave-inspired merch deserves some hype. If you subscribe to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, by October 31, 2026, you’ll have a chance to win one of 52 prizes! Visit mailchi.mp/arcprotects/subscribe26 to subscribe.

Already a subscriber? You're automatically entered. Keep an eye on our social media throughout the month for fun bonus entry opportunities.

Entering to win is free. You must be 18 years or older to enter and have a US address.

Photos:
1. Tony Iwane, CC-BY-NC
2. Crystal Ferreira, CC-BY-NC
3. Quandary, CC-BY-NC & nthorpe49, CC-BY-NC
4. A_cairns, CC-BY-NC & Grigory Heaton, CC-BY-NC
5. Mojave Desert artwork, Kara Mohr

10/09/2026

🍂 Looks messy, helps frogs.

These four simple words from a subject line of our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, opened a recent New York Times article by Margaret Roach.

And we’re pretty delighted to see them there.

Roach explores how your water garden can be a biodiversity hub, talking with ARC Executive Director JJ Apodaca about how what looks like a mess to us can actually create an ideal backyard habitat for wildlife.

And of course, they discuss the important role amphibians play in these ecosystems. JJ explains that amphibians “play a huge role in nutrient cycling” and describes them as a “bridge between the insects and vertebrates.”

While it might feel counterintuitive to leave fallen plant debris in your backyard, it can actually become essential to amphibian survival.

Species that shelter in water through the winter rely on fallen vegetation for shelter, food, and even reproduction. As temperatures rise in spring, insects feed on the decaying matter. That’s what JJ describes as “the food to start to build back up after a long winter and fatten up for eggs and reproduction, and to lay the foundations for the next generation.”

Protecting imperiled species can start right in your backyard. And the best part is sometimes less is more. Leaving fallen debris, avoiding chemical use, and focusing on native species can attract incredible biodiversity.

So before you dive into any fall yard maintenance, consider what species might be seeing it as prime real estate.

Read the full article at: www.nytimes.com/2026/10/06/realestate/gardening-backyard-ponds-biodiversity.html?unlocked_article_code=1.GlE.v7DR.DpKkMFc-4wBV&smid=url-share

And if you’re not already reading The ARC’ives too, now is a great time to start. Subscribe at ARCProtects.org/newsletter by October 31 for a free chance to win one of 52 amphibian- and reptile-inspired merch prizes in our giveaway.

Images and photos:
1. The New York Times
2. Eastern newt red eft, José Garrido
3. Spotted salamander, Ryan McGreevy
4. Wood froglet, JJ Apodaca
5. Southern leopard frog eggs, Zach Truelock

10/08/2026

Just me and my boo at the spring-fed wetland.

Does your loved one enjoy going for a swim in a remote, low-elevation pool? That’s not your loved one. That’s a relict leopard frog.

Once thought to be extinct, this small frog was rediscovered in the 1990s at just seven sites within its historic range. Today, these frogs survive in a handful of desert oases: the permanent streams, springs, and wetlands found near river systems surrounded by otherwise harsh landscapes.

Today, these frogs face many threats. The greatest of all is likely the habitat loss their populations have faced as urban, agricultural, and dam developments have encroached on their remaining sites.

In another life, we’d wish for a world where the habitats these frogs depend on could never have been disturbed. In this life, though, we’re safeguarding the critical ecosystems that species like this depend on within our Mojave Desert PARCAs (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Areas).

In another life, maybe you’re repping a Mojave PARCA sweatshirt and drinking from a Mojave desert sidewinder mug while journaling in your relict leopard frog notebook.

Want to take one step closer to that dream becoming a reality? Enter our prize giveaway, where you could win one of 52 Mojave-inspired prizes just by subscribing to our newsletter!

Subscribe to our e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, by October 31, 2026, by visiting mailchi.mp/arcprotects/subscribe26.

Photos:
1, 2, & 4: Yinan Li, CC-BY-NC
3: Todd Fitzgerald, CC-BY-NC

Entering to win is free. You must be 18 years or older to enter and have a US address.

10/07/2026

Lock in, twin. New amphibian and reptile artwork just dropped.

ARC’s newest poster brings together eleven imperiled amphibian and reptile species found within our Mojave Desert PARCAs (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Areas) in the West and Southwest.

From bold and bright desert banded geckos to camouflaged Mojave desert sidewinders, this diverse grouping of species creates a collection of artwork with something for everyone.

But wouldn’t it be even better if you could get some of this artwork for free?

When you subscribe to our free e-newsletter, The ARC’ives, by October 31, you’ll automatically be entered for a chance to win one of 52 prizes featuring these Mojave species!

Subscribe today by visiting the link in our bio or heading to mailchi.mp/arcprotects/subscribe26 for a chance to win one of 52 prizes, including sweatshirts, T-shirts, tote bags, notebooks, skateboard decks, puzzles, pint glasses, framed art prints, greeting cards, mugs, zipper pouches, magnets, and stickers.

After October 31, 2026, we’ll draw the winners for this brand new ARC merch. Subscribe now at mailchi.mp/arcprotects/subscribe26.

Prizes will be mailed to winners following the conclusion of the campaign. Offer is valid for US addresses only. You must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Artwork: Kara Mohr

10/07/2026