Specialist photographer Jamie Price creates exclusive image gallery for London Zoo’s new Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians
Female turqouise dwarf gecko
Critically endangered lizard which is commonly illegally caught for the pet trade.
© Jamie PriceEmerald tree boa
Nocturnal ambush hunters. They lie in wait on a branch above the ground, waiting to strike.
© Jamie PriceMountain chicken frog
A mud-covered frog peeping out from its dark den, they are one of the rarest and largest frogs on the planet.
© Jamie PriceMossy frog
Mossy frogs they can throw their voice up to 13 feet away, making them almost impossible to locate in the wild.
© Jamie PriceBlue tree monitor
This strikingly coloured lizard was only described by science in 2001, by 2003 it could already be found in the wildlife trade.
© Jamie PriceTelfair's snake
Non-native species destroyed vegetation on Mauritius and its offshore islands, which put this species at risk.
© Jamie PriceRoti island snake neck turtle
Critically endangered from Rote Island in Indonesia.
© Jamie PriceKing cobra
The largest of all venomous snakes.
© Jamie PricePanther chameleon
Chameleon tongues go from 0 to 60 miles an hour in a hundredth of a second, twice the speed of the fastest car.
© Jamie PriceTurqoise dwarf gecko
This male has a bright vibrant body, whereas females have a more muted colour.
© Jamie PriceGidgee skink
These lizards live in social groups.
© Jamie PriceRoti island snake-necked turtle
Their necks are so long that they cannot withdraw their heads directly back into their shell.
© Jamie PriceEmerald tree boa
© Jamie PriceRoti island snake-necked turtle
© Jamie Price
Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians photo gallery
The photo of a Critically Endangered mountain chicken frog enjoying a mud-facial fronts an online gallery of images taken by renowned photographer Jamie Price.
Jamie - named by photography specialists Expert Photography and Shotkit on their list of the Most Influential Macro Photographers to Follow in 2024, and recognised for his striking macro-photography of native invertebrates and reptiles - turned his focus to London Zoo’s intriguing new inhabitants ahead of its new experience opening to the public this Easter.
The four-hour long photoshoot required a mix of painstaking preparation with lightning reactions thanks to some of the conservation Zoo’s more camera-shy species. While the roti-necked turtle was eager to be papped, Jamie had to move quickly to snap a photo of the turquoise dwarf gecko who made only a brief appearance from under a leaf.
What to expect at a Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians
The exclusive gallery features a close-up glimpse of the conservation Zoo’s colourful panther chameleon poking his bright yellow tongue out, a steely-eyed King Cobra, and an optical illusion-esque image of a perfectly camouflaged mossy frog.
Jamie said: “As a wildlife macro-enthusiast, I love focussing in on the extraordinary details of the creatures I’m photographing – and these reptiles and amphibians at London Zoo have some of the most distinctive features of any animal I’ve captured.
“From the armour-like scales coating the Gidgee skinks to the completely camouflaged mossy frogs, it is great to be able to use my pictures to highlight and celebrate their uniqueness.”
Home to 33 species - from jewel-coloured geckos to turtles with heads so big they cannot fit in their shells - Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians will introduce London Zoo’s visitors to some of the planet’s most fascinating yet threatened species and shine a spotlight on the Zoo’s global conservation efforts to protect them - as part of ZSL, a science-driven conservation charity.
Dave Clarke, the Herpetology Section Manager at the zoo, said: “As a long-time fan of these animals, I’m acutely aware of the beauty and wonder to be found within reptiles and amphibians - I’m delighted to see a gallery of images devoted to showcasing just that.
“London Zoo’s new Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians provides custom-created habitats that will enable us to grow our conservation efforts for these diverse, unique and extraordinary species and allow our visitors to get closer than ever before – these photos give a wonderful preview of the amazing animals they’ll get to see!”
Opening for Easter weekend, Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians is a must-visit in London this spring.
Book for this Easter
The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians
Hop around the world and experience some of the rarest and most unique reptiles and amphibians on Earth, from the snake-eating king cobra to mountain chickens we're saving from the brink of extinction/