For anyone who loves herping, there’s something exciting about spotting a reptile or amphibian that breaks records, whether it’s the biggest, tiniest, or just downright weirdest. From massive crocodiles to frogs smaller than a fingernail, these herps hold some of the wildest records in the animal kingdom. Some dominate their ecosystems as apex predators, while others rely on camouflage, speed, or bizarre survival adaptations to make their mark.

The Largest: Saltwater Crocodile
The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) holds the title as the largest living reptile. These giants can grow over 20 feet long and weigh more than a ton. Found in Australia, Southeast Asia, and India, saltwater crocs are powerful predators, capable of taking down almost anything that enters their territory, including large mammals like water buffalo. They have the strongest bite force ever recorded in the animal kingdom, crushing prey with an estimated 3,700 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure. That’s stronger than a great white shark!

Other Giant Herps:

• Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus) – The heaviest snake, reaching over 500 pounds.
• Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) – The largest turtle, growing up to 7 feet long.
• Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) – The largest living lizard, capable of taking down deer and water buffalo with its venomous bite.

The Smallest: Paedophryne Amauensis
The tiniest reptile or amphibian isn’t just small, it’s microscopic compared to most herps. The Paedophryne amauensis, a frog from Papua New Guinea, measures only 7.7 millimeters long, making it the smallest vertebrate in the world. It lives in leaf litter, where it blends in so well that it was only discovered in 2009. Despite its size, this little frog is a skilled predator, feeding on tiny invertebrates. It also has a surprisingly loud call for such a small creature, producing a high-pitched chirp that helps it communicate in dense forest environments.

Other Tiny Herps:

• Jaragua Sphaero (Sphaerodactylus ariasae) – The smallest lizard, barely an inch long.
• Brookesia micra – A miniature chameleon small enough to sit on a fingertip.
• Nano Chameleon (Brookesia nana) – Discovered in 2021, this species is believed to be the smallest reptile ever recorded.

The Weirdest: Hairy Frog
Also known as the Wolverine frog (Trichobatrachus robustus), this species is one of the strangest amphibians out there. When threatened, it breaks its own toe bones and pushes them through its skin to create sharp claws. Found in Central Africa, it also has hair-like structures on its body, giving it an unusual and almost mammalian look. Scientists believe these “hairs” help the frog absorb more oxygen, especially during breeding season.

Other Strange Herps:

• Mata Mata (Chelus fimbriata) – A turtle that looks like a piece of driftwood.
• Flying Snake (Chrysopelea spp.) – A snake that flattens its body to glide between trees.
• Mexican Mole Lizard (Bipes biporus) – A pink, worm-like lizard with tiny arms.
• Suriname Toad (Pipa pipa) – An amphibian that gives birth by embedding its eggs in its back, where they hatch into fully formed toadlets.

Finding Record-Breaking Herps in the Wild
Spotting any of these extreme species is a dream for any herper. Whether you’re hiking through rainforests or joining a herping tour, these animals show just how diverse and surprising the world of reptiles and amphibians can be. Every record-breaking herp proves that nature never runs out of surprises! If you’re lucky enough to see one of these species in the wild, take a moment to appreciate just how unique and extraordinary they really are.