Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians.
It comes from the Greek word herpetos, things that creep/crawl.
"Herps" are any of the animals that would fit under the field of herpetology, so any reptiles or amphibians. (This is not a scientific term, but a words that naturalists and animal keepers use as shorthand for "reptiles and amphibians").
The herpes virus sores seem to creep across the body of the infected, thus the name, also derived from herpetos.
Ringed Caecilian (Siphonops annulatus), family Siphonopidae, widely distributed in South America, east of the Andes
Caecilians are amphibians. (like frogs and salamanders)
The are not worms, nor are they snakes.
Most caecilians are subterranean or aquatic.
photograph by Carlos Jared
Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber), family Plethodontidae, Eastern US
The memebers of this family (Plethodontidae) are called “lungless salamanders”.
They don’t develop lungs, but they do absorb oxygen from the air through the lining of the mouth and throat (buccopharyngeal respiration).
photograph by Reptiles4all
Northern Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans melanota), family Ranidae, found in the Mid-Atlantic and NE United States
American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), family Crocodylidae, La Manzanilla, Jalisco, Mexico
photograph by Tomás Castelazo
Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), family Testudinidae, Madagascar
photograph by Turtle Survival Alliance - Madagascar
Little White Whiptail (Aspidoscelis inornatus), male, family Teiidae, White Sands, NM, USA
photograph by Daniel Heuclin
Beautiful Pit Viper (Trimeresurus venustis), family Viperidae, southern Thailand
photograph by Bob Ferguson
Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), family Sphenodontidae, New Zealand
There were once 2 recognized species of Tuatara, but now they are considered to be just one species.
The only member of the reptile group Rhynchocephalia still around. All other species went extinct millions of years ago.
Tuataras were eradicated by humans and introduced species from the main islands of New Zealand, and now only occur on small islands near the North Island and far north of the South Island.
This is one of my very favorite animals.
photograph by Sid Mosdell
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