Nothing captures children's attention more than a living animal, and the more exotic its appearance, the greater the effect. Some of the most exotic-looking creatures, such as toads, frogs, and turtles, can be found near schools, and even in cities, reptiles and amphibians (commonly known as "herps") usually aren't far. Teachers may also create realistic simulations in any outdoor area or connect students with herps online. Across North America and around the world there are many local species to investigate, and high levels of student engagement are guaranteed. The authors conducted herp-friendly activities with prekindergarten students who have a range of learning differences and varied cultural backgrounds. Activities focus on herps that are native to our location, with the goal of preparing students for the "Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS") on the basic needs of living organisms (K-LS1-1), how such needs relate to habitats (KESS3-1), how young animals are "like" but not exactly the "same" as their parents (1-LS3-1), and how animals can disperse plant seeds (2-LS2-2).