Website Under Construction
We are currently building up our Herp Guides, Trip Reports, Explore features, and photo inventory. Some things on the site have not yet been added or polished to perfection. Please check back for more updates soon. Thank you! (March 2023)
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Our Online Field Guides
Herpetological News & Weather
News on website updates, new articles, herping, and research on any of our Virginia species.
Education
Want to learn more about herps and herping? We don't all learn best by reading scientific works or reading straight out of the guide. We strive to offer new ways to learn to help all kinds of learners.
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Our iNaturalist ProjectAre you an iNaturalist user? Our project takes all herp species observed in Virginia and makes all of the observations digestible. Join our project, add observations, and identify observations to aid our research. You can even ask our experts questions through messages and observation comments. The project has:
Over 100,000 observations to explore.Over 150 species from all corners of the state.Over 14,000 observers aiding us map species.Several reputable experts to help identify photos and audio. |
Herp of the Month
Enjoy a highlighted herp each month! Learn about a new species or gain a new appreciation for species you already know.
March/April 2022 | Eastern Red-backed Salamander
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The Eastern Red-backed Salamander is one of our most common species in the state. They are also quite variable, with individuals boasting a stripe down their back which can be red, orange, purpleish, yellow, white, or even nonexistent. Individuals without this line are often referred to as "Lead-backs", and are very common. Many individuals may have flecking as well, and all have some form of "salting" (white specks) on the flanks. How many variations of this species have you found in your neighborhood?
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Destination Highlight
Learn about a Virginia, herping destination that you must check out in the near future.
Flag Rock Recreational Area
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Way down yonder in "Wood Booger" Country, there is a City called Norton. Here there is a park in the mountains that is a preserve for Salamanders. I personally love this place, but if you go herping here, please bring a trash bag and some grabbers and pack a bag of trash out. People throw trash down in the rockwork constantly, and this can kill these amazing salamanders. If we want these salamanders to out live us, we really need to preserve this preserve.
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Herp ID Challenge
Some Herps can be tricky. Test your knowledge with our monthly challenge.
