Two of the most diverse animal groups in the West Indies are the amphibians and reptiles, with 670 known species. Endemism is high, with 93% of reptiles and 99% of amphibians found nowhere else. Most species are restricted to small areas within islands. Sharply rising curves of known species at successive times suggests that many new species have yet to be discovered. The recent discovery of cryptic species of burrowing reptiles in the West Indies, using DNA sequencing, indicates that a large hidden diversity of species exists beyond that normally expected. This project involves surveys and inventories of amphibians and reptiles in poorly known and remote regions of the Greater Antilles. Graduate and undergraduate students participate in the fieldwork and research. Host country scientists, students, and conservationists are involved in the survey and inventory work, including collaborative taxonomic studies. Preserved specimens are deposited in host country collections and in U.S. collections. Tissue samples are collected and maintained, new species are described, and a field guide will be produced. The results of this research are disseminated through publications and a comprehensive electronic database (http://carib.bio.psu.edu/).