Evidence-led learning
Clear explanations grounded in science, evidence, and careful reasoning.
Conservation Through Education
Learn herpetology. Practice conservation.
Become a better steward of the natural world with science-based learning that is understandable, memorable, and useful, without stripping away scientific rigor.
Accessible by design
Flexible pacing, manageable lessons, and meaningful alternative routes.
Conservation in practice
Ethics, observation, communication, and stewardship are woven throughout.
Flagship course
Certified Herpetological Guide
A serious but approachable, self-paced foundation in reptile and amphibian biology, natural history, conservation, ethical observation, research, recordkeeping, citizen science, and public communication.
- Self-paced, with no cohort or expiry
- Open-book learning and assessment
- No animal handling required
- Certificate of completion
The rest of the catalog
Five courses, one larger picture.
Three are open now, one of them free. The others follow the same approach at different levels and for different work.
Free
Coexisting With Wild Snakes
The myths, the biology, why identification rules fail, and what to actually do.
Self-paced · about 5 hours · Free
Start the free course
Open for enrollment
Certified Junior Herpetologist
The certification track written at a younger reading level, with adult-partnered fieldwork.
Self-paced · about 30 hours
See the course
Coming soon
Foundations of Herpetological Husbandry
Science-based care for reptiles and amphibians in human care.
Self-paced · about 8 hours
See the catalog
Coming soon
Starting and Running a Rescue
What it takes to run a reptile and amphibian rescue, and whether it is a path you want.
Self-paced · about 6 hours
See the catalogA larger picture
Learn to see systems, not isolated facts.
Reptiles and amphibians are often surrounded by fear, folklore, and oversimplified rules. Better information changes how people respond, observe, contribute, and speak up.
Understand
Build useful mental models instead of memorizing disconnected facts.
Observe
Connect lessons to animals, habitats, and conservation questions around you.
Apply
Practice research, recordkeeping, ethical decisions, and conservation participation.
Communicate
Replace fear and misinformation with explanations people can actually use.
In their words
What students say once they are in it.
Three of them, in the middle of the work rather than at the end of it.
“Connor and I just got to the Oak Mountain State Park interpretive center for our volunteer hours. So excited. Thank you so much for the course we are having a blast with it!”— Erin M.
“This is a fun course. I am enjoying working through it as a complement to my Master’s degree. It’s unrelated, so taking a break from that to learn about herps is fun!”— Martha A.
“I’ve only started on this course but it’s great! And the book is PHENOMENAL. I’ve read it cover to cover, several times. And I thought I was a reptile person before!”— Carrie P.
Free resources and learning tools
Free to read, free to share.
You should not have to enroll in a course before reliable, approachable information can help you understand the animals around you.
A Primer on Reptiles & Amphibians
A richly illustrated, bulletin-based textbook connecting biology, behavior, conservation, field ethics, and everyday wildlife encounters. The digital edition is free.
Read or download the PrimerThe Natural World
Longer-form articles about wildlife, conservation, scientific thinking, and the ways people make sense of the living world.
Read The Natural WorldVideos and field learning
Classroom-style explanations, field observations, and public-facing herpetology and conservation material.
Visit the YouTube channelTrusted research tools
Scientific societies, government agencies, conservation organizations, biodiversity databases, field ethics, and animal-help references.
Explore the resource directoryBuilt to be finishable
Learning should be challenging for the right reasons.
If a standard activity creates a barrier because of disability, neurodivergence, chronic illness, location, transportation, safety, technology, or another circumstance, we will do our best to identify an alternative that preserves the learning objective.
Cost is a barrier like any other. Tuition assistance may be available; contact us to discuss your circumstances.
- No deadlinesNo cohort, fixed schedule, or expiry.
- Open bookNo exam time limit and unlimited attempts.
- Flexible routesEquivalent options preserve the learning objective.
- Observation firstNo assignment requires handling an animal.
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