Description
Reptiles and amphibians (collectively known as herptiles) have always fascinated and "terrorised" the human species for millennia. This love-hate relationship has been colourfully depicted in human cultures all over the world. All species of herptiles have a role to play in nature, and we should recognise this rather than view them as a liability. In fact, many of them constitute a natural resource with culinary, medicinal and ornamental value.
The diversity of reptiles and amphibians is relatively high for a small island like Singapore; somewhere in the range of 160 species have been recorded. However, relatively little studies have been conducted on local herptiles, and we believe that there are species still awaiting discovery, or rediscovery. Many aspects of their biology are also worth investigating.
We hope that this little guidebook with concise information will assist interested laymen and students to identify the more common local herptiles. It is our intention to dispel the notion that wildlife equates exclusively trees, mammals, birds and butterflies. We also hope that this book will generate the much-needed interest in herpetology, a field in zoology with immense opportunities for research. A better-informed public would also tend to show a greater respect for this often misunderstood and persecuted group of animals. It must also be noted that many species are habitat-specific, and are unable to adapt to places modified by man. Thus, conservation of their natural habitat is crucial to their survival.
