Information about Herpetology

Zoology

Branches of Zoology

Anthrozoology Apiology Arachnology Cetology Entomology Ethology Herpetology Ichthyology Malacology Mammalogy Myrmecology Neuroethology Ornithology Paleozoology Primatology

History

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Herpetology (from greek: 'ερπετόν, "creeping animal" and λόγος, logos, "knowledge") is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of reptiles and amphibians. Many biologists use the term "herp" or "herptiles" for all reptiles and amphibians.

Herpetology is concerned with poikilothermic, or cold-blooded, tetrapods. "Herps" include salamanders, frogs, toads, snakes, lizards, turtles, tuataras, crocodilians and an odd group of amphibians called caecilians, but exclude fish.

Two classes are categorized within herpetology: reptiles and amphibians. These groups share poikilothermy, and sometimes a superficial resemblance to one another (e.g. salamanders and lizards are often confused) but are not closely related in an evolutionary sense. Amphibians have permeable skin that allows for the exchange of gases, very much like the tissue that makes up mammalian lungs. Many amphibians do not have lungs at all, but use their skin alone for gas exchange and respiration. Amphibians have a three-chambered heart, and are often bound to water for at least part of their lives. Amphibians have glandular skin, and many of them produce toxic secretions in some of their skin glands, warding off predators and generally tasting bad. Reptiles, by contrast, have a dry watertight skin, usually protected by scales, that normally has few if any glands. Many species of reptiles spend no part of their lives anywhere near water, and they all have lungs. The reptilian heart is three-chambered (four-chambered in the case of crocodilians), and living reptilians usually, if not always, lay eggs or give birth on land, including marine turtles, which only come ashore for this purpose. Again, extinct creatures may have exhibited some differences. A number of reptilian species, most notably some of the snake species, are born live, not hatching from externally laid eggs.

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.

People with an avid interest in herpetology and who keep different reptiles or amphibians, often refer to themselves as "herpers."

See also

• Ethnoherpetology
• List of herpetologists
• List of reptiles
• List of regional reptiles lists
• Ophiology - taxonomically-oriented discipline on the study of snakes
• Important publications in herpetology

There are many careers in the field of Herpetology. These included, but are not limited to, field researches, public and private breeders, zoological staff and/or curator, college professor, and museum staff and/or curator. Those wishing to pursue a career in herpetology must have a strong science and math background. Few universities offer this program, and thus it is a highly competitive field to enter into.

External links

• Center for North American Herpetology over 500 species of reptiles and amphibians
• Herpetological Resources and Links
• Reptile Amphibian & Pesticide (RAP) Database
• New Zealand Herpetology