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$18

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Revealing the Truth About Reptiles and Amphibians - Herpetology / Animal Science

Completed by 20 learners
Ages 8-13
Live Group Class
Does your learner love animal science, biology, and zoology? Here, we will explore the many living species of reptile and amphibian (frog/snake/turtle/more). New groups within Herpetology (Study of Reptiles and Amphibians) studied weekly!
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(1,096 reviews)
Rising Star

Live video meetings
1x per week
1-9 learners per class
45 min

What's included

1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per week

Class Experience

US Grade 4 - 7
Herpetology is the scientific study of amphibians and non-avian reptiles, together these animals are also referred to as herpetofauna and include over 15,000 species. Amphibians include frogs and toads, salamanders and newts, and the caecilians. These species often have eggs, complex life cycles/ metamorphosis which are tied to freshwater resources and can spend much of their time on land, they can be gilled, lungless,  or lunged. Many mostly breathe directly through permeable skin protected by a mucus layer. Reptiles include lizards, snakes, turtles, crocodilians, and the tuatara. These animals are scaled, clawed, lunged, and usually born from a leathery egg (amniotic) outside the water. However, some species of lizard and snake are capable of bearing live babies! Both groups require interaction with their environment in order to regulate body temperature (warm/ cool) and fully activate processes like digestion and energy production. 

Herpetofauna are immensely important in natural ecosystem function. Some serve to keep their prey's number in check like frogs eating insects like flies and mosquitos, their tadpoles eat away at the aquatic larvae likewise. Snakes serve to control rodent populations amongst many other prey types from fish, crustacean and other invertebrates, mammals and birds, or reptiles and amphibians! Others are prey items like small lizards and frogs who are food for many birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, and even sometimes large predatory invertebrates! The presence of these creatures indicate healthy ecosystem functioning, particularly the presence of amphibians within freshwater environments. Amphibians due to their porous permeable skin and reliance on the quality of water are quickly affected by rapid change such as harmful pollutants, thus making them a living display, or "bioindicator" of change in their environment. Reptiles often being long lived having slow, strong, and resistant natural histories, suffer from rapid disturbances to habitat and ecosystem imbalances.

Although they are found under the same branch of study, these groups have not had relation for ~300 million years. Early scientists thought these creatures were within the same grouping until more recently. They each hold rich life histories, evolutionary relationships, and importance in the creation of natural ecosystems of the past and present. Whether these amazing creatures will be allowed to further influence future generations is relying heavily on how we protect and conserve their species in our world today. Both amphibians and reptiles are some of the creatures most threatened by extinction.

This is a class all about the different groups and species of reptiles and amphibians that can be found across many of Earth's ecosystems. Learners will virtually travel our planet visiting terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water) habitats and biomes in order to learn about unique species classified within the study of Herpetology.
We will learn about specific notable species and overall groups of animals that can be found on 6 out of the 7 continental land masses and most of the ecosystem varieties apart from polar/tundra.

There will be plenty of facts provided on these animals as well as their characteristics, behavior, species diversity, and what makes them so special! We will work on broad (all encompassing) and narrow topics. 
There will be a focus on each group's natural history, evolutionary relationships, biology, anatomy, and interactions within their ecosystems.
Certain classes we may have video clips to watch, activities like games/coloring pages/etcetera, and discussion about these creatures.


If you have questions regarding the schedule please reach out. 


Monday 8:30am EST 1 class behind; Tuesday 8:45pm EST 2 classes behind

August 18- Week 1: Snakes - Boas, Dwarf Boas, Pythons
August 25- Week 2: Giant Salamanders, Olm and Mudpuppies, Sirens
September 1 - Week 3: Sea Turtles/ Brackish (Salt Tolerant) Terrapins
September 8- Week 4: True Crocodiles
September 15- Week 5: Frogs- Archaeobatrachia - Primitive 
September 22- Week 6: Lizards - Scincoidea- Skinks
September 29- Week 7: Snakes - Vipers and Elapids
October 6- Week 8:Frogs - Neobatrachia - Ranoidea
October 13- Week 9: Caecilians
October 20- Week 10: Alligators and Caiman
October 27- Week 11: Snakes - Wart Snakes, Pipe Snakes, and various members of Alethinophidia *A-S*
November 3- Week 12: Lizards- Iguania -Iguanidae (Iguanas)
November 10- Week 13: Tortoises
November 17- Week 14: Frogs - Neobatrachia - Australobatrachia, Heleophrynoidea, and Sooglossoidae
November 24- Week 15: Freshwater Turtles
December 1- Week 16:  Snakes - Colubrids ( Colubrinae, Ahaetuliinae, Calamariinae, and Grayiinae)
December 8- Week 17: Lizards - Gekkota - Geckos
December 15- Week 18: Freshwater Side-necked Turtles
December 22- Week 19: Lizards - Lacertoidea
December 29- Week 20: Frogs - Mesobatrachia
January 5- Week 21: Lizards - Anguimorpha
January 12-Week 22: Worm-Lizards - Amphisbaenids and Dibamidae
January 19- Week 23: Snakes: Scolecophidia - Blindsnakes; Various members of Alethinophidia *T-Z*
January 26- Week 24: Lizards - Iguania (Anoles and Helmeted Lizards)
February 2- Week 25: Gharial and Tomistoma
February 9- Week 26: Lizards - Iguania (Chameleons and Agamids)
February 16- Week 27: Frogs - Neobatrachia - Hyloidea (Part 1)
February 23- Week 28: Frogs -Neobatrachia- Hyloidea (Part 2)
March 2- Week 29: Lizards - Iguania (All Other Families)
March 9- Week 30: Salamanders and Newts
March 16- Week 31: Lizards - Scincoidea- (Xantusiidae, Gerrhosauridae, Cordylidae)
March 23- Week 32: Tuatara
March 30- Week 33: Snakes - Colubrids (Dipsadinae, Pseudoxenodontinae, Natricinae, and Sibynophiinae)

Students will also learn about these animal's conservation/ preservation, concerns, and threats as habitat loss amongst many other impacts affect these species. EDUCATION is the first step in conservation! Amphibians and reptiles each are being threatened at alarming rates and need OUR help!

This is a lecture style, interactive class with many opportunities to ask and answer questions from myself or other students. 
No prior knowledge or experience is needed to take this course. A love for nature is most definitely appreciated :) Flexible Age Range!!! Join on whatever week you would like!

Learning Goals

Students will learn about various species of reptiles and amphibians as well their lives on our planet.
Retain an understanding of the importance of biodiversity and the significance that species have within their local environments and beyond on a global scale.

Other Details

External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Joined January, 2021
5.0
1096reviews
Rising Star
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Science from The Pennsylvania State University
Hello prospective parents and guardians! My name is Greg or "Mr. G" and I'm an educator from New Jersey, U.S.A..
For over two decades I’ve had a fascination for all there is to do with the natural world and the creatures that call it home. I have worked with and cared for a multitude of species (dogs, frogs, cats, birds, rodents, lizards, snakes, turtles, hedgehogs, fish, various other wildlife, and much more!) throughout the entirety of my life as I tend to my own mini animal sanctuary, love, and work conserving/ researching animals from around the world. I have been teaching learners from over 50 countries here on Outschool since early 2021!  :D 
I graduated from The Pennsylvania State University where I received a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Minor in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences! My coursework in university focused on veterinary sciences, biological/natural sciences, and wildlife (Mammalogy, Ornithology, Herpetology, Conservation, and Management). I spent time as a veterinary assistant, have participated in university studies and ongoing research regarding plants and animals (invertebrates, reptiles, various flora), have worked as a fauna and flora surveyor through college and beyond. My continued research of the world around us and outreach is one of my greatest missions. I love hearing about my students' interests and knowledge and look forward to imparting my own to them as well!
My focus as an educator is fostering a love for learning, animals, and what the world has to offer past, present, and future. My teaching style is inclusive, interactive, and hands-on. I believe learning should be fun, enjoyable, and thrilling for both student and teacher. I have a variety of animals that can be incorporated in class to help get learners engaged and excited about nature and the world we live in. We need to get our next generation connected to nature and the organisms that live alongside us to pass the torch and save all that we can!
My passions apart from animals are cooking, art, conservation of the planet, and outdoor activities such as hiking and animal surveying. 
I absolutely adore what I do and I'm so excited to meet and teach your learner! Thanks for stopping by and remember... never stop learning!

For specific scheduling requests/ class times, please send me a message!
*Recordings not shared*
*Class is available at the time you are signed up for*
*Message me prior to class such that appropriate action (transfers, etc.) can be taken to get things sorted for you and your learner*
Have a wonderful day :)

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