Herpetology is the scientific study of amphibians and reptiles. The term "herpetology" is derived from the Greek and refers to the study of creeping things. Birds and mammals, for the most part, have legs that lift their bodies above the surface of the ground. Amphibians (class Amphibia) and reptiles (class Reptilia), with the exception of crocodiles and lizards, generally have legs inadequate to elevate their bellies above the terrain, thus they creep.

Both Amphibia and Reptilia are within the phylum Chordata, which also includes several classes of fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals. Amphibia include the anurans, which are frogs and toads; the urodeles, which include salamanders and sirens; and the gymnophioma, which are peculiar worm-like legless caecilians. Larval amphibians (tadpoles) respire with gills whereas adults breathe with lungs. Amphibian skin is ordinarily scaleless. Reptilia includes lizards, snakes, turtles and crocodiles. They have scaly skin and respire with lungs...