Short Description
The scientific comparative collection of the Herpetological Collection comprises approximately 150,000 specimens from the two vertebrate classes amphibians (approx. 50,000) and reptiles (approx. 100,000).
The vast majority are preserved as wet specimens in alcohol. A smaller portion (approx. 6,000 specimens) consists of dry specimens (stuffed mounts, bones, skulls, models). The beginnings of the collection, and thus the oldest specimens, date back to around 1800. Roughly a quarter of the current collection originates from the 19th century.
The biogeographical focus is on Europe and Asia. Furthermore, the inventory includes amphibian and reptile specimens from North and South America, Africa, Australia/Oceania.
In total, about 1,700 different amphibian taxa and 5,200 reptile taxa are represented. The core of the scientific collection is the collection of type specimens, which currently includes approximately 600 amphibian- and 2300 reptile-types.
The collection is referenced in scientific literature by the acronym "NMW" (derived from Naturhistorisches Museum Wien) or since 2025 by "NHMW-ZOO-HS-".
Contact Person
Dr. Silke Schweiger
Research Services
Possible after consultation:
• Support for the determination of herpetological specimens
• DNA analysis of tissue samples
• Provision of photo material
• Support in research / preparation of scientific papers on topics relevant to collections
• Implementation of Citizen Science projects, determination courses
• Information service for herpetological requests
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
The inventory database is supplemented by a database containing data on the distribution of the autochthonous amphibians and reptiles in Austria. This " Austrian Herpetofauna Database " currently contains 200,000 records including various biological and ecological information. Much of the data is also published on GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility).
The Herpetological Collection also houses a herpetological slide collection and a comprehensive technical library.
Provision of tissue samples.
Identification of amphibians and reptiles (worldwide origin).
Implementation of research projects focused on herpetological topics, diploma theses and field work.
The following devices are available to researchers:
• Leica Wild M 420
• Leica M50
• Zeiss Stemi SV11
• Water value measuring device HQ40d (portable), Hach company, for measuring water conductivity, oxygen, pH value and temperature.
Allocation to research infrastructure
Austria research platform
Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, Germany
DGHT German Society for Herpetology and Terraristics
DiSSCo
MA 22, Vienna
Museum Alexander König, Bonn
ÖGH Austrian Society for Herpetology
Schönbrunn Zoo, Vienna
SEH Societas Europaea Herpetologica
Turtle Island, Graz