What is a Herpetologist?
A herpetologist is a zoologist that specializes in reptiles, amphibians, crocodilians and turtles. The word herpetology comes from the Greek herpeton that means “to creep.” Herpetologists are also known as “herps,” and “field herping” is the study of animals and their identification through guidebooks and other materials. Zoology is a subdivision of biology and a master’s degree in biological science, a bachelor’s degree in biology or a master’s degree in herpetology is needed to become a herpetologist depending on the requirements set by each state. Herpetology can be a difficult field to work in, as a PhD is often needed to find a research position which is usually required to receive funding from research grants. However, many herpetologists find work on the animal side of the profession while earning their advanced degree. Those considering a career as a herpetologist should check out their educational options in advance. Speaking with herpetologists, joining a regional herpetologi
The Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles has an online article, “Herpetology As A Career.” The SSAR is also developing a database of university herp programs. They also have an Interview with a Herpetologist that helps answer a lot of questions about what it’s like to be a herpetologist and how to get there.A Note From Scott Moody, Herpetologist, Ohio University in Athens, Athens OH Remember that herpetologists are first anatomists, geneticists, ecologists, physiologists, biochemists, behaviorists, endocrinologists, etc. Traditionally, unfortunately, these fields have primarily used only a few animal models, for example, the house mouse or Norway rat. The study of biology is increasingly moving into a diversity of animal models, taking a comparative/evolutionary, or integrative, point of view, hence a greater interest in herpetology. Also, the federal regulations for maintaining and caring for herps is not as costly and complex as for hairy mammals so many people change mod
