U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

On this, the first day of October, we present to you one of our favorite orange animals: the regal ring-necked snake. At only a foot or two long and non-venomous, this beauty isn't spooky, unless you're another small snake (their favorite prey). Keep a sharp eye out at dusk in the desert southwest to see one for yourself. As always, be sure to always give wildlife enough space that you both feel safe. Photo: Jeff Servos/USFWS

We brought you a duckling. You're welcome. This ruddy duckling and its siblings were spotted at Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge in South Dakota. Ruddy ducks are diving ducks, meaning they dive underwater to forage for aquatic invertebrates and vegetation. Video: A ruddy duck foraging at Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge in South Dakota by Liz Julian/USFWS Video description: A duckling swimming and then diving under the water's surface.

What good are they? "Well, what good are you?" goes the famous quote about this fish. 🐟 Meet the Owens Pupfish: a small, blue, chubby, feisty, extreme, endangered fish. This fish is native to the Owens Valley in California and was recently celebrated in the newly-established Owens Pupfish Refuge within the Bishop Paiute Tribe’s Conservation Open Space Area. 🐟 Catch a new episode of Fish of the Week every Monday at FWS.gov or wherever you get your podcasts. This week, Brian Atkins, Environmental Director for the Bishop Paiute Tribe, and Menemsha Zotstein with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are guests on our episode about Owens Pupfish. Take a listen to learn all about this fish and the work being done to conserve it. 🐟 📷 California Department of Fish and Wildlife #AllTheFish

When you work as a refuge manager and a law enforcement officer for USFWS, sometimes picking up abandoned lobster traps is on your work BINGO card for the day. At Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, abandoned lobster traps can be a hazard for both wildlife and humans on the beach. If the traps are properly tagged, the owners are contacted to come pick them up. If they are not tagged and damaged beyond repair, they are disposed of or occasionally repurposed. As a reminder, it is illegal for private citizens to remove lobster traps from the beach without proper approval, but beached live lobsters can be released as they cannot survive out of water! Thanks for making the beach a safer place for wildlife and humans! Photo by USFWS

The face you make when you are determined to get to fee-free day. Be honest, have you ever looked as intense as this least grebe? We need you to channel this bird's energy today, especially if you are headed out to any of the National Public Lands Day events. Today, Sept. 28th, all entrance fees are waived at federal public lands across the country. Most USFWS national wildlife refuges don't charge an entrance fee, but at the handful that do, those fees are waived. Put on your determined grebe face and stop by and see us! Photo of least grebe at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, by Scott Stoner (sharetheexperience).

Time to shell-ebrate!!!! Desert Tortoise Week festivities are starting THIS WEEKEND. Did you know that desert tortoises create homes for other critters and help disperse plant seeds? So helpful! The Mojave Desert tortoise was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1990 due to habitat loss, predation and other stressors. While they face many challenges, you can help secure a brighter future for these incredible creatures by learning about conservation efforts underway in California and Utah! Learn more about Desert Tortoise Week events happening near you: https://lnkd.in/gN6wSyEe Photo by Kristina Drake/USFWS

There is a bear in this photo. Do you see it? In the Pacific Northwest, fish hatchery employees are accustomed to wildlife encounters, including black bears. This photo was taken during a hike this past summer to check on water levels above Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, in the mountains of central Washington state. Always be prepared when hiking in bear country – and check out some bear safety tips in the comments! USFWS photo: Mathew Maxey

Toss That Tusk! We are partnering with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to raise awareness about the elephant poaching crisis and illegal ivory trade. Removing ivory from the market drives down demand for the product and assists with wildlife conservation efforts. Stop by the Phoenix Zoo today, Sept. 27th, at a station set up near the entrance from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and we will collect any form of ivory you are wanting to dispose of. Ivory surrendered at Toss the Tusk events will be collected by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service representatives and safely transported to our National Wildlife Property Repository. More details on Toss the Tusk events: https://ow.ly/P90Z50TwO6t Photo of an African savanna elephant courtesy of Danielle Brigida/WWFUS

Little fish for the win! In this episode of Nature's Infrastructure, we are chatting with Rick Hopkins, the director of Springville, Alabama’s Parks and Recreation Department, and Coach James Miller, who leads tackle football, flag football and baseball at Springville’s 70-acre sports complex, to discover how a little fish in the Little Canoe Creek helped create safer recreational access for youth sports teams and improve the quality of life for an entire community. Listen here: https://ow.ly/s1eI50TwBoP Photo of a female Trispot darter (Etheostoma trisella) used with permission from Alan Cressler (https://ow.ly/preu50TwBoQ)

🏝️🐭 Oh rats! Did you know that some tiny creatures can make big trouble on islands? Islands are home to approximately 20% of the world's bird and plant species. Seabirds often nest on islands, having evolved to establish their homes in burrows, on the ground, or on cliffs. Unfortunately, many island bird populations are at risk of extinction due to invasive species like rats and foxes. Don’t let seabirds vanish—join us on Wednesday, October 2 at Youth Fish and Wildlife Club (YFWC) to learn about island ecosystems and how invasive species affect them. YFWC offers a fun, online space for kids to ask questions, connect with fish and wildlife pros, and gain outdoor knowledge. We hold Zoom sessions every Wednesday! Ideal for ages 8-12, but all curious minds are welcome, including younger kids and adults. ASL interpretation will be available. Learn more about YFWC and how to join at the link in the comments. 🔗⬇️ 📷 R.Dugan/USFWS