Amphibians and Reptiles

Herpetology is the study of amphibians (including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians) and reptiles (including lizards, snakes, amphisbaenids, turtles, terrapins, tortoises, crocodilians, and tuatara). Amphibians and reptiles are only distantly related but have traditionally been placed together as a research discipline (the word herpetology is from the Greek "herpeton" meaning creeping or crawling animal).

Herpetology staff, fellows and associates have active collection-based research programs around the world focusing on uncovering the diversity and informing the conservation of amphibians and reptiles.