Field reports– category –

Vietnamese mossy frog (Theloderma corticale) What is the Vietnamese Mossy Frog? The Vietnamese mossy frog (Theloderma corticale) is an amphibian species native to northern Vietnam, with possible ranges extending into parts...

Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica) If you're an avid herper exploring Japan, you’ve likely heard of the Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica), one of the most elusive and stunning reptiles in Okinawa. T...

During a recent herping expedition in Vietnam, I had the privilege of being guided by a local friend to a location known for its rare morphs of the Oriental Vine Snake (Ahaetulla prasina). This species, the largest of the vine ...

The Mamushi, also known as the Japanese pit viper (Gloydius blomhoffii), is a venomous snake indigenous to Japan, spanning Hokkaido to Kyushu. Known for its distinctive triangular head and heat-sensing pits, the Mamushi is a captivating ...

Ornate Earless Agama (Aphaniotis ornata) During my time in Borneo, I encountered the Ornate Earless Agama (Aphaniotis ornata). It was a rainy night, and I found it sleeping about 30 cm above the ground. Though these agamas are diurnal, t...

While walking through the jungle at night on the island of Borneo, I noticed an unusual insect resting on a tree stump. It had shiny black, violin-shaped wings that immediately caught my eye. This insect was the Violin Beetle (scientific...

The Galápagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) is a remarkable species and the only lizard in the world that forages in the sea. Endemic to the Galápagos Islands, this reptile has evolved to thrive in both marine an...

**Sakishima-banded Snake (Lycodon rufozonatus walli)** Sakishima-banded Snake (Lycodon rufozonatus walli) eating a Sakishima rice frog (Fejervarya sakishimensis) One of the most commonly encountered snakes while herping on Ishigaki Islan...

**How to Find the Elegant Pit Viper (Protobothrops elegans)** Elegant Pit Viper (Protobothrops elegans) Found relatively easily on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands, this species exhibits a wide range of color variations, from orange to gray...

Encountered during a nighttime herping expedition in Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. I found it sleeping on a branch protruding from a jungle trail, mesmerized by its beautifully patterned body. A unique member of the agamid fa...