When you’re out herping, you might not think about how reptiles and amphibians interact with each other. Unlike mammals and birds, they don’t rely much on vocalizations. Instead, they use body language, chemical signals, and sometimes sound to send messages, whether it’s to warn off rivals, attract mates, or deter predators. From a lizard bobbing its head to a snake releasing a strong musk or a frog calling loudly across a pond, herps have a variety of ways to get their point across.

Vocalizations: The Sounds of Herps

Most reptiles tend to be quiet, but amphibians, especially frogs, are some of the loudest animals in the herp world. They use calls to find mates and establish territory.

• Frog Calls – Male frogs and toads each have a distinct call, like the deep croak of a bullfrog or the high-pitched trill of a tree frog. Some species, like the túngara frog, even add extra sounds to make their calls more appealing.
• Crocodilian Roars and Grunts – Crocodiles and alligators are the most vocal reptiles, using deep bellows to establish dominance. Their hatchlings also chirp to signal their mothers.
• Gecko Chirps – Some geckos, like the Tokay gecko, make loud clicks and barks to claim territory and attract mates.

Body Language: The Silent Signals

When vocalizing isn’t an option, body language does the talking. Reptiles use movements and displays to communicate dominance, warn off threats, or even flirt.

• Lizard Head Bobs and Push-Ups – Lizards like anoles and bearded dragons use head movements to assert dominance. Fast, aggressive bobs mean “Back off!” while slower movements can be part of a courtship display.
• Frill Displays and Tail Flicks – The frilled dragon flares out its neck frill to look intimidating, while some lizards and snakes flick their tails as a warning. The blue-tongued skink even flashes its tongue to startle predators.
• Puffing Up and Flattening the Body – Some reptiles, like hognose snakes, put on dramatic defensive shows by flattening their bodies and opening their mouths like cobras. Others, like thorny devils, puff up to make themselves look bigger.

Chemical Signals: Scent-Based Communication

For many herps, smell is key. Instead of making noise or using body language, they rely on pheromones and scent markings.

• Snakes and the Jacobson’s Organ – Snakes flick their tongues to “taste” the air, using the Jacobson’s organ to pick up chemical cues from prey, mates, or rivals.
• Salamander Pheromones – Some salamanders, like the red-backed salamander, release pheromones to attract mates, even rubbing their pheromone-coated chins on potential partners.
• Turtle Scent Marking – Many turtles leave scent trails in the water to signal their presence. Musk turtles even get their name from the strong odor they release when threatened.

Observing Herp Communication in the Wild
Next time you’re out on a herping tour, pay attention to the subtle ways these creatures communicate. You might spot a lizard nodding at a rival, a snake flicking its tongue to assess its surroundings, or a frog inflating its throat before letting out a loud call.

Reptiles and amphibians may not have expressive faces or elaborate bird songs, but their communication methods are just as sophisticated. Whether through sound, movement, or scent, they’ve developed fascinating ways to interact with their world, proving once again that herps are way more complex than they’re often given credit for.