Nature would struggle without amphibians and reptiles. They are vital to the world’s ecosystems, acting as both predators and prey while serving as indicators of environmental health. Yet, they are among the most threatened creatures on the planet, facing habitat loss, climate change and disease at alarming rates.
The World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) were founded on the belief that freezing moments of nature’s beauty and fragility can shift perspectives and inspire action—ultimately encouraging us to see the world differently and take steps, big or small, toward conservation.
These incredible shots—the top three in the “Behavior—Amphibians and Reptiles” category from WNPA 2025—give us a rare opportunity to observe some fascinating creatures, and their behaviors, that might otherwise go unnoticed.
A Namib Sand Gecko Shot By Marti Phillips, U.S. (Won Bronze)
This tiny creature is a Namib sand gecko (Pachydactylus rangei), a desert-dwelling marvel that stays incredibly small even into adulthood. This fascinating species is restricted entirely to the Namib sand dunes.
These guys hatch smaller than a dime and rarely grow beyond 4 inches (10 cm) long, including their fat-storing tail—a feature they share with many other lizards. Their small size allows them to move effortlessly across the sand dunes at night, slipping into tiny holes where larger predators can’t reach.
Namib sand geckos’ translucent skin—you can faintly see their internal organs through their bellies—isn’t just for show. This unique trait helps it blend into its sandy surroundings. And because they live in loose sandy habitats, they’ve got these really cool fully-webbed feet for walking across the sand. Essentially, these function like snow shoes would in the snow.
Unlike many lizards, it lacks eyelids—instead, it licks its own eyes clean, which may be why you see sand around its mouth in this photo. And if that’s not strange enough, this tiny creature barks, squeaks and even screams when threatened.
An Agama Lizard Shot By Jules Oldroyd, U.K. (Won Silver)
The fearless reptile you see here is an Agama lizard, a heat-loving, rock-dwelling species found across Africa’s savannas and deserts.
Agamas are bold, fast and often bask near large animals like lions—soaking up warmth and opportunistically foraging for insects drawn to their presence. This is an example of commensalism, where the lizard benefits from the lion’s presence, but the lion is entirely unaffected.
Agamas are color-shifting reptiles—males can turn electric blue and fiery orange during mating season to signal dominance and attract mates. But their vibrant colors aren’t permanent; they darken in cooler temperatures and fade when stressed or submissive.
Agamas are known to be explosive sprinters, especially when escaping a life-or-death situation like being chased by a predator. And if that’s not wild enough, these tiny lizards engage in push-up contests to intimidate rivals and stake their claim on territory—turning simple exercise into a battle for dominance.
This one may look relaxed, but make no mistake—just like the Namib sand gecko, Agamas are built for survival.
A Blue-Spotted Mudskipper Shot By Georgina Steytler, Australia (Won Gold)
This is a blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus), an amphibious fish (so technically neither a reptile nor an amphibian) that thrives in mangrove swamps and mudflats across Australia and New Guinea. This particular individual, the photographer confirms, was photographed on the intertidal mudflats of Roebuck Bay, Broome, Western Australia.
Unlike most fish, mudskippers spend more time out of water than in it, using their muscular pectoral fins to “walk,” climb and even leap—as seen in this incredible mid-air shot.
But this isn’t just a random jump—this is a territorial display. Mudskippers are highly aggressive fighters, and males use dramatic leaps, fin flaring and head-butting battles to defend their patch of mud from rivals. The raised orange-dotted dorsal fin is a clear warning signal, telling intruders to back off.
Breathing is no problem for these land lovers. Blue-spotted mudskippers, like most other mudskippers, have highly vascularized skin and a specialized buccal cavity, allowing them to absorb oxygen from the air as long as they stay moist. They also trap water in their gill chambers, enabling them to extract oxygen even while moving on land.
They may be fish, but their behavior is closer to amphibians or even reptiles, making them one of the strangest evolutionary links in the animal kingdom.
Photographs like this remind us that every animal—whether a wild mudskipper or a pet at home—has its own unique personality. Curious about your pet’s traits? Take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to discover their unique profile.
