Herping Tour Phu Quoc on April 2nd 2026

The humid night air of the Gulf of Thailand set the stage for a truly remarkable expedition on April 2nd, 2026. This evening, we had the distinct pleasure of welcoming Alexey and his mother, who traveled all the way from Russia to immerse themselves in the rich, nocturnal biodiversity of the island. Their enthusiasm for the smaller, often overlooked inhabitants of the jungle made for an unforgettable night of discovery.

The expedition began just as the diurnal world retreated, giving way to the chorus of the rainforest. Our primary focus was the incredible reptilian and amphibian life that emerges under the cover of darkness. It wasn’t long before the beam of our torches caught the glint of scales. One of the early highlights was the Cardamom Pit Viper (Trimeresurus cardamomensis). This stunning green predator, perfectly camouflaged against the foliage, remained motionless, allowing Alexey and his mother to observe its triangular head and heat-sensing pits from a safe and respectful distance.

As we pushed deeper into the jungle, the intensity of the sightings increased. We encountered the Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus), easily recognizable by its bold black-and-white bands. While beautiful, this elapid is a reminder of the raw power of nature, demanding caution and expert spotting. On the forest floor and tree trunks, we spotted the Phu Quoc Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus phuquocensis). This agile lizard is a local icon, and seeing its intricate patterns in its namesake habitat is always a rewarding experience for any nature lover.

However, the night wasn’t reserved solely for reptiles. A rustle in the high canopy revealed a rare treat: the Bengal Slow Loris. Its large, reflective eyes peered down at us through the leaves, a slow-moving phantom of the treetops that captivated our Russian guests. Below them, in the shadows of the root systems, we found a formidable Tarantula, its velvet-black body standing guard at the mouth of its burrow.

For amphibian enthusiasts, the night was a masterclass in diversity. The jungle was alive with “a lot of frogs,” their calls creating a rhythmic backdrop to our trek. While we saw various common species, the absolute crown jewel of the night was the South-Vietnamese Bug-eyed Frog (Theloderma vietnamense). This endemic species, with its incredible moss-like texture and protruding eyes, is a master of mimicry. Finding this specific frog is a testament to the health of our local ecosystem and was undoubtedly the “holy grail” of the evening’s herping.

As the tour concluded, it was clear that the jungle had provided Alexey and his mother with its best treasures. From the venomous beauty of the vipers to the rare glimpse of a loris and the encounter with endemic frogs, April 2nd was a night that celebrated the wild, weird, and wonderful. We thank Alexey and his mother for their keen eyes and their passion for conservation, and we look forward to the next time the jungle reveals its secrets.