The Herpetologists' League, established in 1936, is an international organization of people devoted to studying the biology of amphibians and reptiles. The history of the first 50 years of the Herpetologists' League can be found in Hobart Smith's 1986 paper in Herpetologica: "Chapman Grant, Herpetologica, and the Herpetologists' League" (Volume 42, pages 1-32).
Click here for a .pdf version of HL's By-Laws.
HL publishes two scholarly journals -- the quarterly Herpetologica, which contains original research papers, essays and book reviews; and the annual supplement Herpetological Monographs (HM), which contains lengthy research articles, syntheses, and special symposia. The 1998 supplement issue of Herpetologica contained several articles based on the theme of “Points of View on Contemporary Education in Herpetology.” In 1993, HM included the symposium on "Amphibian Relationships: Phylogenetic Analysis of Morphology and Molecules," and in 1994, the symposium "Conservation Biology of the Desert Tortoise." The 1995 issue of HM highlighted the symposium "Reptilian Behavioral Ecology."
Depending on the amount of dues paid, all HL members in good standing receive both journals free of charge, in either paper or digital format. For HL members in countries other than the United States, airlift delivery of current journal issues is provided at no extra charge. Back issues of most journal volumes are available (additional shipping charges are necessary for orders of back issues). Members of HL are also eligible to participate in a web-based forum for the exchange of ideas, position and award announcements, and other information relating to the Society.
HL has recently embarked on a program to support the publication of books of interest to our community, and to provide our members the opportunity to purchase these books for a limited time at specially discounted prices. To date, books sponsored have included Venomous Reptiles of Latin America, Biology of the Pitvipers, Biology of the Whiptail Lizards, Reptiles of Virginia (still available), Amphibians and Reptiles of the Yucatan Peninsula, Snake Species of the world A Taxonomic And Geographic Reference (still available).
HL encourages continued dialogue among persons interested in herpetology at our annual meeting. Our society continues to recognize student achievement in herpetological research by presenting the HL Award for Graduate Research from among our student members at each annual meeting.
HL also sponsors the Distinguished Herpetologist Lecture Series at the annual meeting and continues to organize special symposia on topics of interest to the herpetological community. Our members are active participants, and are encouraged to become involved with HL committees and with regional and national issues of concern to our community.
The Herpetologists' League invites you to become a member. In order to process your membership request, please see the application instructions. The strength of our society rests with the concerns and participation of its members. Thank you for your interest.