Like many species, frogs, snakes, and other amphibians and reptiles face an uncertain future as the climate changes. Amphibians are experiencing global population declines (Stuart et al. 2004), and similar signs of decline may be emerging for snakes (Reading et al. 2010) and other reptiles (Gibbons et al. 2000). For amphibians and reptiles, responses to climate change will be influenced by the following primary factors: 1. changes and variability in local environmental and habitat conditions; 2. changes in the timing of life-supporting activities; 3. interactions with emerging pathogens and invasive species; and 4. interactions with other environmental stressors, such as chemicals. On an annual basis, the interaction of these factors will determine reproductive success rates and survival. Over the long term, the frequency and duration of extreme temperature and precipitation events will likely influence the persistence and dispersal of local and regional populations. Synergism among a variety of environmental stressors can adversely affect native amphibians and reptiles, with climatic change likely to exacerbate the situation. Basic text from: Lind, Amy J. 2008. Amphibians and Reptiles and Climate Change. (May 20, 2008). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Climate Change Resource Center. http://www.fs.fed.us/ccrc/topics/amphibians-reptiles.shtml Gibbons J.W., D.E. Scott, T.J. Ryan, K.A. Buhlmann, T.D. Tuberville, B.S. Metts, J.L. Greene, T. Mills, Y. Leiden, S. Poppy, and C.T. Winne. 2000. The global decline of reptiles, déjà vu amphibians. BioScience. 50: 653-666. Reading C.J., L.M. Luiselli, G.C. Akani, X. Bonnet, G. Amori, J.M. Ballouard, E. Filippi, G. Naulleau, D. Pearson, and L. Rugiero. 2010. Are snake populations in widespread decline? Biology Letters. Published online before print June 9, 2010, doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2010.0373. Stuart S.N., J.S. Chanson, N.A. Cox, B.E. Young, A.S.L. Rodrigues, D.L. Fischman, and R.W. Waller. 2004. Status and trends of amphibian declines and extinctions world-wide. Science. 306: 1783-1786.

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