Certified Herpetological Guide

About Course

Geared for adults, this course not only informs you about the nuts and bolts of herpetology, it encourages you to find the confidence to share your passion with others.

These fascinating animals (and the people who are working to preserve them) could really use your help. Whether you take the course to further your professional goals or simply because you enjoy learning, you’re sure to graduate with a deeper understanding of the natural world. Take that leap today!

Course Content

Start Here: Course Orientation
Welcome to the Certified Herpetological Guide Program. Begin here to learn how the course works, what you will study, how your progress will be recorded, and what you will need to complete to earn your certificate. You will also find guidance about fieldwork, safety, accessibility, accommodations, and getting help whenever you need it.

Welcome to the Certified Herpetological Guide Program
How the Course Is Organized
Course Materials & Progress Tracking
Fieldwork: Safety, Ethics & Legal Responsibility
Help, Accessibility & Accommodations
Completing the Course & Earning Your Certificate

Unit I: Introduction to Reptiles & Amphibians
Build foundational knowledge of reptile and amphibian diversity, defining traits, and common misconceptions.

R-1.02: Turtles 101
R-1.03: Lizards 101
R-1.04: Snakes 101
R-1.05: Crocodilians 101
R-1.06: Frogs 101
R-1.07: Salamanders 101
R-1.08: Caecilians & Tuatara
R-1.09: Snake Myths & FAQs
R-1.10: Herps Save Lives!
Herpetology Workshop (Optional Video)

00:00

Unit II: Living With Wildlife
Learn practical, ethical ways to coexist with reptiles and amphibians, reduce conflict, and respond safely.

R-2.01: Living Around Snakes
R-2.02: Snakebite Avoidance

00:00
R-2.03: Snakebite Treatment

00:00
R-2.04: Make Your Yard Friendlier For the Little Critters
R-2.05: Relocating Reptiles
R-2.06: Reptile Rescue & Removal
R-2.07: Watch for Wildlife on the Road

00:00
R-2.08: You’re Getting Too Close! (Defensive Displays in the Animal Kingdom)
R-2.09: Let Nature Take Its Course
Do Snakes Actually Chase People?
R-2.10: How Do Most Snakebites Happen?

Unit III: Classification & Diversity
Explore common and scientific names, classification, evolutionary relationships, and herpetological diversity.

Unit IV: Biology, Physiology & Reproduction
Study anatomy, physiology, behavior, movement, life cycles, and reproduction in reptiles and amphibians.

R-4.01: Thermoregulation
R-4.02: Tail Autotomy
R-4.03: Ecdysis (Shedding)
R-4.04: Sexual Dimorphism
R-4.05: Hemipenes
R-4.06: Fangs
R-4.07: Rear-fanged Snakes
R-4.08: Venom
R-4.09: Venomous vs. Poisonous
R-4.10: Scales & Scutes
R-4.11: Amniotes & Anamniotes
R-4.12: Frog Life Cycle
R-4.13: Salamander Life Cycle
R-4.14: Amplexus
R-4.15: Hatching & Birthing
R-4.16: Parthenogenesis
R-4.17: Sex Determination
R-4.18: Snake Locomotion
R-4.19: Forked Tongues
R-4.20: Snakes and Swallowing
R-4.21: “Sticky” Feet
R-4.22: Hibernation & Aestivation
R-4.23: Tortoise Pee!

Unit V: Natural History
Examine habitats, activity patterns, ecological relationships, adaptations, and non-native species.

Unit VI: Reptile & Amphibian Conservation Concerns
Understand major conservation threats, diseases, habitat pressures, and evidence-based responses.

R-6.01: Herp Conservation
R-6.02: Habitat Loss
R-6.03: Commercial Collection
R-6.04: Amphibian Diseases
R-6.05: Snake Fungal Disease (SFD)
R-6.06: Systematic Eradication
R-6.07: Preservation Efforts
R-6.08: Habitat Management
R-6.09: Assurance Colonies
R-6.10: Public Policy
R-6.11: Citizen Science
R-6.12: Innovative Solutions
R-6.13: Excluders and Underpasses
R-6.14: Special Places
R-6.15: Knowing is Not Enough

Unit VII: Reptile & Amphibian Observation: Ethics & Techniques
Practice safe, lawful, ethical observation, identification, documentation, and field techniques.

R-7.01: Ethical Conduct in the Field
R-7.02: Field Guides
R-7.03: Location, Location, Location!
R-7.04: Keep Locations a Secret
R-7.05: How NOT to Identify a Venomous Snake
R-7.06: Know Your Neighbors
R-7.07: Learning to Identify Herps
R-7.08: Take Nothing but Photos
R-7.09: Field Herping – Tips & Tricks
R-7.10: Field Herping – Tools
R-7.11: Decontamination Protocols
R-7.12: What is That Thing?
R-7.13: The Law and You
R-7.14: Make It Count!
R-7.16: Observation Records
Field-herping Gear Rundown

00:00

Unit VIII: Scientific Methods
Develop skills for asking scientific questions, evaluating evidence, finding research, and understanding professional practice.

Unit IX: Volunteering & Interpretation
Learn how outreach, interpretation, inclusive communication, and volunteer service support conservation.

Fieldwork & Applied Learning
Complete the centralized F-coded citizen-science, journaling, local-research, legal, and volunteer assignments.

F-1.01: Create an iNaturalist Account
F-1.02: Upload 25 Records to iNaturalist
F-2.01: Wildlife Journaling
F-2.02: Practice Recording Field Observations
F-3.01: Photograph Five Upland-Habitat Species
F-3.02: Photograph Five Lowland/Wetland-Habitat Species
F-4.01: Compile a Local Species List by Taxonomic Order
F-5.01: Compile a List of Imperiled Species in Your State
F-5.02: Research One Imperiled Species
F-6.01: Identify Reporting Contacts in Your State
F-7.01: Identify Accessible Public Lands
F-7.02: Research Rules for Two Public Lands
F-8.01: Research Statewide Herp Laws
F-9.01: Identify Local Conservation & Education Organizations
F-9.02: Volunteer Three Hours

Final Exam & Course Completion
Use this section for the verified final assessment, completion checklist, and certificate requirements once approved.

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About Course

Course Content

Welcome to the Certified Herpetological Guide Program

How the Course Is Organized

Course Materials & Progress Tracking

Fieldwork: Safety, Ethics & Legal Responsibility

Help, Accessibility & Accommodations

Completing the Course & Earning Your Certificate

Unit I: Introduction to Reptiles & Amphibians Build foundational knowledge of reptile and amphibian diversity, defining traits, and common misconceptions.

R-1.02: Turtles 101

R-1.03: Lizards 101

R-1.04: Snakes 101

R-1.05: Crocodilians 101

R-1.06: Frogs 101

R-1.07: Salamanders 101

R-1.08: Caecilians & Tuatara

R-1.09: Snake Myths & FAQs

R-1.10: Herps Save Lives!

Herpetology Workshop (Optional Video)

Unit II: Living With Wildlife Learn practical, ethical ways to coexist with reptiles and amphibians, reduce conflict, and respond safely.

R-2.01: Living Around Snakes

R-2.02: Snakebite Avoidance

R-2.03: Snakebite Treatment

R-2.04: Make Your Yard Friendlier For the Little Critters

R-2.05: Relocating Reptiles

R-2.06: Reptile Rescue & Removal

R-2.07: Watch for Wildlife on the Road

R-2.08: You’re Getting Too Close! (Defensive Displays in the Animal Kingdom)

R-2.09: Let Nature Take Its Course

Do Snakes Actually Chase People?

R-2.10: How Do Most Snakebites Happen?

Unit III: Classification & Diversity Explore common and scientific names, classification, evolutionary relationships, and herpetological diversity.

R-3.01: A Bit About Names

R-3.02: Scientific Names

R-3.03: Species and Orders

R-3.04: Family Ties

R-3.05: Differences & Similarities

R-3.06: Miscellaneous Oddities

Unit IV: Biology, Physiology & Reproduction Study anatomy, physiology, behavior, movement, life cycles, and reproduction in reptiles and amphibians.

R-4.01: Thermoregulation

R-4.02: Tail Autotomy

R-4.03: Ecdysis (Shedding)

R-4.04: Sexual Dimorphism

R-4.05: Hemipenes

R-4.06: Fangs

R-4.07: Rear-fanged Snakes

R-4.08: Venom

R-4.09: Venomous vs. Poisonous

R-4.10: Scales & Scutes

R-4.11: Amniotes & Anamniotes

R-4.12: Frog Life Cycle

R-4.13: Salamander Life Cycle

R-4.14: Amplexus

R-4.15: Hatching & Birthing

R-4.16: Parthenogenesis

R-4.17: Sex Determination

R-4.18: Snake Locomotion

R-4.19: Forked Tongues

R-4.20: Snakes and Swallowing

R-4.21: “Sticky” Feet

R-4.22: Hibernation & Aestivation

R-4.23: Tortoise Pee!

Unit V: Natural History Examine habitats, activity patterns, ecological relationships, adaptations, and non-native species.

R-5.01: A Complex Web

R-5.02: Where Do Herps Live?

R-5.03: When Are Herps Active?

R-5.04: Adapting to Suburbia

R-5.05: Hidden in Plain Sight

R-5.06: Non-native Species

Unit VI: Reptile & Amphibian Conservation Concerns Understand major conservation threats, diseases, habitat pressures, and evidence-based responses.

R-6.01: Herp Conservation

R-6.02: Habitat Loss

R-6.03: Commercial Collection

R-6.04: Amphibian Diseases

R-6.05: Snake Fungal Disease (SFD)

R-6.06: Systematic Eradication

R-6.07: Preservation Efforts

R-6.08: Habitat Management

R-6.09: Assurance Colonies

R-6.10: Public Policy