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. 


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 - Scincomorpha
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 - Iguanomorpha
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
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 and Dibamidae
January 12-Week 22: Worm-Lizards and Amphisbaenids
January 19- Week 23: Snakes: Scolecophidia - Blindsnakes; Various members of Alethinophidia *T-Z*
January 26- Week 24: Salamanders and Newts
February 2- Week 25: Gharial and Tomistoma
February 9- Week 26: Tuatara
February 16-Week 27: Frogs - Neobatrachia - Hyloidea

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!