Reptiles & Amphibians

What Is a Herp?

From the Greek herpeton, "to creep", herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians. "Herps" is the name given to those groups lumped together.

The Southeast's numerous ecosystems provide habitat for hundreds of herps, including these:

Photo courtesy of the South Florida Water Management District.

American alligator

Alligator mississipiensis

Photo courtesy of the South Florida Water Management District.

Gopher tortoise

Gopherus polyphemus

Photo courtesy of the South Florida Water Management District.

Florida softshell turtle

Apalone ferox

Photo courtesy of the South Florida Water Management District.

Green anole

Anolis carolinensis

Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Southern fence lizard

Sceloporus undulatus undulatus

five-lined skink

Broadhead skink

Eumeces laticpes

spadefoot toad

Eastern spadefoot toad

Scaphiopus holbrookii holbrookii

Photo courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey.

Southern toad

Bufo terrestris

Photo courtesy of Dave Lattart, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Southern leopard frog

Rana sphenocephala utriculata

Photo courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey.

Squirrel tree frog

Hyla squirella

Herp Guides

DISCLAIMER NOTE: UF/IFAS WEC Extension supports the use of many resources to learn more about reptiles and amphibians, and we've listed several on this page. However, we do not endorse any particular author, publisher, brand, company, or device.

Additional Resources
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