The Georgia Southern University

& Savannah Science Museum

Herpetology Collection

The Biology department is home to Georgia's second largest herpetology collection. The collection contains approximately 37,000 specimens of reptiles and amphibians. Most of the material is from southern Georgia, although collections from other areas are included such that approximately 95% of Georgia's herpetofauna is represented.

The collection began with the efforts of Carl Gerhardt, Gerry Williamson and Robert Moulis in the early 1960's. At this time, much of south Georgia was dominated by agriculture, and relative to today, had a low population density. Today, much of this region suffers from habitat degradation and development due to increases in the human population. Thus their efforts have established a valuable historical record of the diversity of amphibians and reptiles across our region.

Projects underway in the Collection include taxonomic updates and the digitization of all records so that this incredible resource may be shared with scientists around the world via the internet. Contact the curator, Dr. Lance McBrayer, for specimen data, loans, research opportunities, and general information.