Reptiles and amphibians are two of the oldest living life forms on Earth. They also amongst the most successful, as they inhabit some of the most inhospitable environments on the planet. They form a critical "link" in the ecological "chain" in almost every type of habitat found on earth, adding weight to the suggestion that they form a pivotal part of our ecosystems.

Very few animal species have survived for as long as reptiles and amphibians, with the first recognisable amphibians being traced back as far as 400 million years ago with early reptiles being present in the fossil records as long ago 320 million years ago.

Worryingly reptiles and amphibians are declining more dramatically than any other vertebrate group on the planet, which poses the ominous question: Can this decline be reversed? Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this question, however around the globe herpetologists are making real efforts to determine the causes of these declines, and are striving to develop solutions to prevent further extinctions and range reductions. It is now more important than ever to couple the efforts of the scientific community with targeted conservation protocols to prevent the extinction of many thousands of threatened and critically endangered species.

As a community of enthusiastic keepers of both reptiles and amphibians with a varied set of skills and knowledge, it is important to find ways in which everyone can become involved in the protection of these species. The Herpetofauna foundation is an international organization set up in 2008 with the express goal of promoting and supporting reptile and amphibian conservation.

We are firm believers that these incredibly diverse groups of animals are essential for the maintenance of healthy ecosystems. There decline and ultimate extinctions will have severe negative effects on many natural systems that many people have not yet considered. This is one of the main reasons why the work of the Herpetofauna foundation is so important.