Herpetologists study some of the most complex, misunderstood creatures on Earth. These photos from ... [+] the 2025 edition of the World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) offer a rare glimpse into these creatures from a perspective we rarely see in the wild.gettyNature would struggle without amphibians and reptiles. They are vital to the worlds 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 natures beauty and fragility can shift perspectives and inspire actionultimately encouraging us to see the world differently and take steps, big or small, toward conservation.These incredible shotsthe top three in the BehaviorAmphibians and Reptiles category from WNPA 2025give 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 little creature may look delicate, but its a desert survival specialist with some mind-blowing ... [+] adaptations. Marti Phillips, WNPA 2025This 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 taila 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 cant reach.Namib sand geckos translucent skinyou can faintly see their internal organs through their belliesisnt just for show. This unique trait helps it blend into its sandy surroundings. And because they live in loose sandy habitats, theyve 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 eyelidsinstead, it licks its own eyes clean, which may be why you see sand around its mouth in this photo. And if thats not strange enough, this tiny creature barks, squeaks and even screams when threatened.An Agama Lizard Shot By Jules Oldroyd, U.K. (Won Silver)This is an Agama lizard foraging for insects around a sleeping lion. Jules Oldroyd, WNPA 2025 The fearless reptile you see here is an Agama lizard, a heat-loving, rock-dwelling species found across Africas savannas and deserts.Agamas are bold, fast and often bask near large animals like lionssoaking up warmth and opportunistically foraging for insects drawn to their presence. This is an example of commensalism, where the lizard benefits from the lions presence, but the lion is entirely unaffected.Agamas are color-shifting reptilesmales can turn electric blue and fiery orange during mating season to signal dominance and attract mates. But their vibrant colors arent 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 thats not wild enough, these tiny lizards engage in push-up contests to intimidate rivals and stake their claim on territoryturning simple exercise into a battle for dominance.This one may look relaxed, but make no mistakejust like the Namib sand gecko, Agamas are built for survival.A Blue-Spotted Mudskipper Shot By Georgina Steytler, Australia (Won Gold)This mid-air shot of a blue-spotted mudskipper won the reptiles and amphibians categorydespite ... [+] technically being a fish photo. Georgina Steytler, WNPA 2025This 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 leapas seen in this incredible mid-air shot.But this isnt just a random jumpthis 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 animalwhether a wild mudskipper or a pet at homehas its own unique personality. Curious about your pets traits? Take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to discover their unique profile.