The Best Origami Reptiles and Amphibians of 2018

In today’s post, we’re going to take a look at the best origami reptiles and amphibians. This includes any sort of lizard, reptile, or dinosaur, as well as amphibians like frogs.

Let’s begin!

1) Tree Frog, Designed by Satoshi Kamiya and Folded by Ji Woo Han

This is easily one of the best frogs I’ve seen and probably the best version of Satoshi Kamiya’s tree frog design I’ve seen. I love the face and also quite like the paper used here.

It took 5 hours to fold this frog.

Tree Frog by Ji Woo Han — https://www.flickr.com/photos/53248898@N07/43500744064/

Diagrams available in Works of Satoshi Kamiya 2 – 2002-2009

2) Gecko, Designed and Folded by Chris Heynen

This gecko is definitely one of the best lizard designs I’ve seen out there. The shaping here makes it look super realistic as well.

Gecko by Chris Heynen — https://www.flickr.com/photos/origamichris/24663084776/

Instructions not available

3) Green Turtle, Designed by Jang Yong Ik and Folded by CaptainMoon

Easily one of the most beautiful looking turtles out there. The folding work is fantastic and the paper used here makes it look extra gorgeous.

Diagrams available in Origami Pro #4

4) Spinosaurus, Designed by Satoshi Kamiya and Folded by Mariano Zavala B.

An absolutely fantastic rendition of Satoshi Kamiya’s Spinosaurus. I love the claws on the feet (of course) the fin along the back and I really like the paper here too.

As an added bonus Mariano Zavala B. made a fantastic YouTube tutorial for this model as well.

Spinosaurus by Mariano Zavala B. — https://www.flickr.com/photos/marianozavala-origami/45179862594/

Video instructions available from Mariano Zavala B.’s YouTube channel

5) Barosaurus, Designed by Satoshi Kamiya and Folded by Maxi Purewal

Here we have an awesome pair of Barosaurs (I think that’s how you pluralize that…). One is folded from a 32 x 32cm square of paper and the other from a 24 x 24cm square. The smaller one uses thicker paper and was harder to fold but they both look fantastic.

Barosaurus by Maxi Purewal — https://www.flickr.com/photos/125100933@N05/43771371305/

Diagrams available in Works of Satoshi Kamiya 1995-2003

6) Japanese Giant Salamander, Designed and Folded by Kei Watanabe

I don’t think I’ve ever seen an origami salamander before and this one is quite excellent.

Japanese Giant Salamander by Kei Watanabe — https://www.flickr.com/photos/145614922@N07/38950802170/

Instructions not available

7) Yum, Designed and Folded by Kevin Hutson

This is a really cool design. Kevin Hutson started out trying to design a frog catching a fly but had too much paper over after the first attempt which gave him the idea of adding the lily pad. That means that this whole model is folded from a single 22 x 22 inch square of paper!

While shaping the model he accidentally dropped it into a bowl of methycellulose but fortunately managed to salvage it.

Yum by Kevin Hutson — https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinhutsonorigami/42238744864/

Instructions not available

8) Glass Frog, Designed and Folded by Travis Nolan

Travis Nolan designed a pretty amazing frog fro the IOIO 2018 contest. Looking at the first image it looks like a fairly normal frog but if you look at the next one and see how it looks from underneath you’ll definitely be impressed!

It’s folded from a 23 x 23 inch of paper with no cuts or glue. The frog itself is green and the organs are white which is pretty awesome.

And believe it or not this is an actual real animal found in South America. It really does have transparent skin underneath so you can see its organs.

Glass Frog top by Travis Nolan — https://www.flickr.com/photos/tankoda/44583807540/

Glass Frog underneath by Travis Nolan — https://www.flickr.com/photos/tankoda/46350438672/

Instructions not available

9) Gigantosaurus, Designed by Shuki Kato and Folded by Ji Woo Han

This is a fantastic model and Ji Woo Han did an amazing job here. I really love all the individually folded teeth and the wavy tongue.

Gigantosaurus by Ji Woo Han — https://www.flickr.com/photos/53248898@N07/27869674389/

Crease pattern available from Shuki Kato’s Flickr

10) Through the Ages, Designed and Folded by Sebastien Limet

Sebastien Limet always has such interesting ideas for his designs. This one was designed after he watched Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom.

Through the Ages by Sebl — https://www.flickr.com/photos/-sebl-/45039647061/

Instructions not available

11) T-Rex Skeleton, Designed by Issei Yoshino and Folded by Travis Nolan

A absolutely love dinosaur skeleton designs and this one is one of the best I’ve seen. This is a fairly popular modular design that a lot of people have folded before but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so crisp and clear where you can really make out all the details.

T-Rex Skeleton by Travis Nolan — https://www.flickr.com/photos/tankoda/26340454138/

Diagrams available in Origami Skeleton of Tyrannosaurus Rex

Which one of these models do you think is the best origami reptile or amphibian of 2018? Vote below!

Voting will be open for 2 weeks until Friday February 22, 2019. Feel free to vote for your own model and to encourage everyone you know to vote for it as well!