Welcome to the "unofficial" Oklahoma Herpetology website, a site dedicated to the conservation and education concerning reptiles and amphibians, known affectionately as "herps", from the Greek word herpeton, which means "creeping thing".  My primary interest is with Oklahoma's native species.  My goal is to educate people of all ages about the importance of these animals and their function, or niche, in nature.  To find out specifications about individual animals, the thumbnails in the Photo Gallery will link to an information page.

  In my opinion, when it comes to studying herpetology, there is no greater state than Oklahoma.  Oklahoma is one of the most diverse states in the continental US.

  Lying in the middle of the central plains region, Oklahoma's ecoregions range from a high desert grassland at the Black Mesa in the northwestern tip of the panhandle to a subtropical forest in the southeastern corner in McCurtain Co.  The eastern half of the state is typical eastern deciduous forest, while the western half is mixed- and short-grass prairie.  Some of the remaining four percent of the tall-grass prairie can be seen in northern Oklahoma at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve near Pawhuska.  The northwestern part of the state is relatively flat and featureless, and the southern and eastern parts are mountainous and variable. 

  Oklahoma also has probably the most shoreline of any other state in the continental US when you include all lakes, rivers, and streams.  With Oklahoma's habitat and topographic variability, the animal diversity is truly unique.  The position of Oklahoma within the continent creates a blend of eastern and western species, making Oklahoma's herpetofaunal community one of a kind.