Tropical Reptiles and Amphibians

Together, reptiles and amphibians are called “herps.” They rely on the environment around them--the sun, water, or ground--to generate the heat they need to survive. With a continuous supply of warmth and water, the majority of the Earth’s herp species live in the tropics. All are habitat specialists, with unique adaptations for avoiding predators and acquiring food.

Depending on their habitat, tropical herps eat a variety of terrestrial and aquatic insects, animals, and plants. Sunshine, warm temperatures, and an abundance of rainfall contribute to a wealth of available food. Constant access to food allows them to reach a much larger size than species living in cool climates.

From deserts to forests to saltwater coasts, tropical herps live in a variety of habitats. They can be found along river banks, near oceans, on the forest floor, underground, or high in the canopy. Reptile habitats can change significantly from one species to the next. For most amphibians, life starts in water.

A warm climate allows tropical herps to spend less time maintaining body temperature and more time eating, breeding, and producing young. To dodge predators, escape searing daytime heat, and conserve water, many herps are nocturnal (active at night). Diurnal herps (those active during the day) protect themselves using color, camouflage, and even poison.

Many tropical reptiles and amphibians are currently endangered or threatened. Tropical habitats are dwindling at alarming rates, and global climate change is altering habitats, breeding seasons, and affecting the entire food chain for many species. Because each species has adapted to fill a specialized niche, disappearing habitats seriously threaten the stability of some populations.