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From icy wastes to arid deserts, reptiles and amphibians have used their ancient, cold-blooded body plan, along with sophisticated behavioural innovations, to master the harshest environments on the planet. Using their ruthless hunting abilities, extraordinary camouflage, guile and downright physical toughness, they thrive where mammals and birds fear to tread. See Komodo dragons hunting buffalo; sea snakes with one of the most toxic venoms in the world breeding in caves; the seemingly suicidal leaps of a waterfall toad; the tender giant African bull frog that digs water channels to save not only its own young, but that of others too; and lizards that can walk on water.

• Komodo dragons
• Sea snakes
• African bullfrog
• Basilisk lizards

Mass emergence of red-sided garter snakes, Manitoba, Canada

Horned lizard lying flat on back, feigning death – behaviour tactic against hog-nosed snake, Tucson, Arizona

Two Komodo dragons fighting, Komodo Archipelago, Indonesia