what are herps animals
Turtles, frogs, and snakes-together theyâre called âherps.â They rely on the environment around them-the sun, water, or ground-to generate the heat that every creature needs to survive. Despite the cold, Minnesotaâs relatively clean water and unpolluted air support a surprisingly high number of herps. Herps eat a variety of foods-plants, animals, fruit, insects, or a combination of foods. Because they are âcold-bloodedâ (maintain a low body temperature), they are well adapted to survive in environments where food is sometimes scarce.
Reptiles are a group (Reptilia) of tetrapod animals comprising today's turtles, crocodilians, snakes, lizards, tuatara, and their extinct relatives.The study of these traditional reptile groups, historically combined with that of modern amphibians, is called herpetology.xtant reptiles range in size from a tiny gecko, Sphaerodactylus ariasae, which can grow up to 17 mm (0.7 in) to the saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, which may reach 6 m (19.7 ft) in length and weigh over 1,000 kg (2,200 lb).