Herpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians and reptiles.
Batrachology is a further subdiscipline of herpetology concerned with the study of amphibians
alone.
Herpetology is concerned with poikilothermic, ectothermic tetrapods.
Under this definition "herps" exclude fish, but it is not uncommon for herpetological
and ichthyological scientific societies to "team up", publishing joint journals and holding
conferences in order to foster the exchange of ideas between the fields.
One of the most prestigious organizations, the American Society of Ichthyologists and
Herpetologists, is an example of this.
Many herpetological societies exist today, having been formed to promote interest in
reptiles and amphibians both captive and wild.
Herpetology offers benefits to humanity in the study of the role of amphibians and reptiles
in global ecology, especially because amphibians are often very sensitive to environmental
changes, offering a visible warning to humans that significant changes are taking place.
Some toxins and venoms produced by reptiles and amphibians are useful in human medicine.
Currently, some snake venom has been used to create anti-coagulants that work to treat
stroke victims and heart attack cases.
Etymology The word "herpetology" is from Greek: ἑρπετόν,
herpeton, "creeping animal" and -λογία, -logia, "knowledge".
People with an avid interest in herpetology and who keep different reptiles or amphibians
often refer to themselves as "herpers".
"Herp" is a vernacular term for reptiles and amphibians.
It is derived from the old term "herpetile", with roots back to Linnaeus' classification
of animals, in which he grouped reptiles and amphibians together in the same class.
There are over 6700 species of amphibians and over 9000 species of reptiles.
In spite of its modern taxonomic irrelevance, the term has persisted, particularly in the
names of herpetology, the scientific study of reptiles and amphibians, and herpetoculture,
the captive care and breeding of reptiles and amphibians.
Careers Career options in the field of herpetology
include, but are not limited to lab research, field studies and survey, zoological staff,
museum staff and college teaching.
In modern academic science, it is rare for individuals to consider themselves a herpetologist
first and foremost.
Most individuals focus on a particular field such as ecology, evolution, taxonomy, physiology,
or molecular biology, and within that field ask questions pertaining to or best answered
by examining reptiles and amphibians.
For example, an evolutionary biologist who is also a herpetologist may choose to work
on an issue such as evolution of warning coloration in coral snakes.
Modern herpetological writers of note include Mark O'Shea and Philip Purser.
Modern herpetological showmen of note include Jeff Corwin, Steve Irwin, popularly known
as the "Crocodile Hunter", and the star Austin Stevens, popularly known as 'AustinSnakeman',
famous for TV series Austin Stevens: Snakemaster.
Study Most colleges or universities do not offer
a major in herpetology at the undergraduate or even the graduate level.
Instead, persons interested in herpetology select a major in the biological sciences.
The knowledge learned about all aspects of the biology of animals is then applied to
an individual study of herpetology.
See also Herping
List of herpetologists The Snakes Of Europe, the book described above
References
Further reading Adler, Kraig. 1989.
Contributions to the History of Herpetology.
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.
Goin, Coleman J.; Olive B. Goin; George R. Zug. 1978.
Introduction to Herpetology, Third Edition.
W.H. Freeman and Company.
San Francisco.
xi + 378 pp. ISBN 0-7167-0020-4.
External links
Field Herpetology Guide American Society of Icthyologists and Herpetologists
Herpetological Conservation and Biology Societas Europaea Herpetologica Distribution
Maps for European Reptiles and Amphibians Center for North American Herpetology over
500 species of reptiles and amphibians European Field Herping Community
New Zealand Herpetology Chicago Herpetological Society
Biology of the Reptilia is an online copy of the full text of a 22 volume 13,000 page
summary of the state of research of reptiles.