Welcome to Mexico-Herps.com!

WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
I’m glad you found your way to my website! It is the first comprehensive introduction to the herpetofauna of Mexico anywhere (yes, anywhere!). I’m still trying to figure out what kind of format I want to stick with, so please don’t be put off by the “un-professional” appearance of the site. I am constantly working on updating the photos, maps, and any information contained within this site to be as accurate as possible in the ever-changing world of Mexican Herpetology. If you see something missing or in error please feel free to e-mail me and bring it to my attention!

The taxonomy contained within might not mirror that you are used to, or even comply with what is generally accepted at this point in time; I have my opinions on certain subjects and will almost always explain my reasons for “changing” name combinations within the species’ accounts. Also, for accounts that do not include photographs I have inserted a simple “(NP)” after the scientific name of the taxa in question. This will hopefully become less common as I “fill in the blanks” every trip down south! NAVIGATION NOTE: When you select a Genus (Sceloporus for example), a list of species’ names will appear. Click on a name for the species account; above and below the species’ names in small font is the word “Previous” or “Next” – “Previous” takes you to the next group of species names for that Genus (alphabetical order), at which point “Next” will take you back. I know it’s backwards, and I’m going to figure out a way to navigate in a more sensible fashion, please give me time.

I guess I should quickly introduce myself: my name is Timothy Burkhardt. I’m 29 years old and have been an extremely avid amateur herpetologist since I was old enough to stand on two legs. At age 13 I decided that being the first person to see every species and subspecies of reptile and amphibian in the United States would be a pretty cool goal. At this point all I had to go by was my little green Audubon Guide to North American reptiles and amphibs and an insatiable thirst for new information and outdoor experience.
At age 14 I had acquired two new field guides: Robert C. Stebbins’ book on the west and the Conant & Collins book on the eastern portions of the United States. I spent countless hours reading these and other wonderful books such as Wright & Wright’s “Handbook of Frogs and Toads” (of North America), and Karl Kauffeld’s inspirational “Snakes and Snake Hunting”. For Christmas that year I asked for Smith & Smith’s “Synopsis of the Herpetofauna of Mexico: Vol. VI: Testudines” (Turtles). At that point I became fascinated with the reptiles and amphibians of Mexico.
Even though I lived a mere 20 miles from the border, Mexico seemed distant and mystical – a land full of amazing new species I had only seen at the San Diego Zoo or in old black and white photos in my books. My parents, who were so amazingly supportive of my interest in herpetology, would drive me all around San Diego and Imperial Counties and even to Arizona but they drew the line at visiting Mexico. Throughout my teen years I tried and tried to find someone in the San Diego Herpetological Society or San Diego Natural History Museum who would take me down with them, but everyone I talked to was afraid to go down themselves, letalone with their personal vehicle.
Long story short, in December of 2001 I finally made my first trip south of the border in the form of a quick trip to northern Baja California. Even though we spent only a few days there, I soon realized I was hooked. Beginning in June, 2002 I began taking longer trips generally several weeks in duration to different regions in Mexico, progressing farther south each time. During these trips I took few photos, and what I did photograph I did so very poorly. It wasn’t until 2004 that I bought myself a digital camera and really began trying to take quality pictures that I could share with my fellow herp enthusiasts.
Starting in 2003 I began dedicating the vast majority of my money and time to learning about the herps of Mexico. My herping adventures in the USA came to a virtual standstill and it became “all about south of the ‘ol border!” In 2003 and 2005 my friends and I discovered two new species of chirping frogs (Syrrhophus) in Mexico; we have yet to describe these but are working on that at this point in time.

I hope you enjoy checking out my photos and reading about my experiences in the field. Please check back often for updates. If you are interested in purchasing photographs please e-mail me at Triprionco@aol.com and I will be happy to discuss it with you. Thank you and enjoy! Sincerely,
Tim

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