Costa Rica is home to 5% of the planet’s biodiversity. Though small in geographic area, the country has one of the highest densities of reptiles and amphibians species in the world with more than 440 species.

A view from Selva Verde Lodge in Sarapiquí, Costa Rica.
From September 6 – 9, 2018, the Selva Verde Lodge and Private Reserve in the lowland tropical rainforests of Sarapiquí, Costa Rica hosted the fourth International Herpetological Symposium. This event featured presentations and lectures on the conservation, taxonomy, ecology, and biology of reptiles and amphibians. Symposium attendees participated in conferences and field visits to observe reptiles and amphibians in their natural habitat; Investigated the impressive natural history of the Sarapiquí River; search for crocodiles, turtles, basilisks, and iguanas; and visited the nearby La Selva Biological Station of the Organization for Tropical Studies for a night hike.

Leenders’ field guide to the amphibians of Costa Rica.