Herpetology (CAS)

The Academy's herpetology collection began in 1853 with a single Galápagos tortoise shell. It has since grown to be the 6th largest reptile and amphibian collection in the world and serves as a important repository of information for Academy scientists and others seeking to better understand these fascinating and important creatures. In addition to documenting species and their distribution around the world, our scientists and collaborators are at the forefront of many other aspects of herpetological research and conservation — examining the evolutionary relationships of various taxonomic groups, assessing and working to protect against population threats, and developing captive breeding programs and strategies to help maintain genetic stocks of critically endangered species.