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How Amphibians Survive Freezing Temperatures
When we think of herping, most of us picture sun-warmed trails, damp forests, or muggy swamps teeming with movement, frogs calling, salamanders darting under rocks, and the occasional snake basking in a clearing. But once the temperatures drop and the first frost...
Brown Musurana (Paraphimophis rusticus): The Underrated Snake of South America
If you're into herping and have a thing for the lesser-known, secretive snakes of South America, then the Brown Musurana (Paraphimophis rusticus) deserves a spot on your radar. While it might not have the flashiness of a rainbow boa or the brute size of an anaconda,...
The World’s Deadliest Reptile
When most people think of herping, they imagine flipping logs to find snakes or wading through swamps in search of frogs and turtles. But lurking in the murky waters of river deltas and coastal marshes across Southeast Asia and Northern Australia is a reptile that...
Waxy Monkey Treefrog (Phyllomedusa Bicolor)
If you’ve spent any time herping through South America’s rainforests, there’s a good chance you’ve at least heard of the Waxy Monkey Treefrog. This unique and hardy frog, Phyllomedusa bicolor, stands out not just for its striking appearance, but also for its bizarre...
The Rise of Herping YouTubers
Over the past few years, herping, once a niche outdoor hobby shared mainly through forums and field guides, has been exploding in popularity thanks to a growing number of YouTubers bringing it to the mainstream. With GoPros strapped to their chests, boots stomping...
Argentine Boa Constrictor: The Endangered Giant of South America’s Dry Forests
The Argentine Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor occidentalis) is one of South America’s most striking and endangered snakes. Learn about its unique adaptations, conservation challenges, and what recent science reveals about how boas actually kill their prey.
How Sudden Flash Floods Reshape the Search for Reptiles and Amphibians
If you’ve been herping long enough, you know that nature doesn’t always play by the rules. One minute you’re walking a dry desert wash, the next you’re running for cover as a flash flood barrels through. While most people avoid the wilderness after heavy rains,...
The Tropical Flat Snake
In the world of herping, few creatures feel more like hidden gems than the elusive tropical flat snake (Siphlophis compressus). Slender, secretive, and strikingly patterned, this lesser-known species glides through the rainforests of Central and northern South America...
Identifying Amphibians by Call
There’s something primal and unforgettable about the sound of a swamp at night. The buzz of insects, the croaks, chirps, trills, and barks, these aren’t just background noise. For those of us who live for herping, these calls are a living soundtrack that tells us...
Rainbow Boa: The Most Iridescent Snake in the World and How to Find One
The rainbow boa is the most iridescent snake in the world, with microscopic scale ridges that refract light into a holographic shimmer. Learn about the science behind the rainbow effect, how to find Argentine Rainbow Boas in the wild, and what makes this subspecies unique.