The study of reptiles is called herpetology. The field conventionally includes amphibians as well as reptiles, and a person who studies these animals is a herpetologist.
What does herpetology study?
Herpetology is a branch of zoology—the broader study of animals—focused on reptiles and amphibians. The USGS Thesaurus defines it as the branch of zoology concerned with both groups. The Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles likewise uses “herpetology” for the study of amphibians and reptiles.
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Although the word may sound as if it refers to reptiles alone, that is not the conventional scientific meaning. Amphibians and reptiles are distinct animal groups; sharing a field name does not make them the same. The shared terminology has historical roots in older classifications that grouped amphibians with reptiles. Their biological differences include features such as skin and egg coverings, as described by the Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia.
What does a herpetologist do?
A herpetologist studies reptiles, amphibians, or both. The work can span several specialties:
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- Systematics: identifying and classifying species and investigating how they are related. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History describes systematic herpetology as work on species and their relationships.
- Ecology and distribution: studying where species live and how they interact with their environments.
- Behavior and physiology: examining how these animals behave and how their bodies function.
- Genetics and evolution: analyzing genetic evidence and evolutionary relationships.
Methods vary by question. Herpetological research may include field observation and collecting, laboratory analysis, and the study of museum specimens. The Smithsonian’s Amphibians and Reptiles Division describes its work and collections, while the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles offers information on methods, resources, and careers.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is a person who studies reptiles called?
A person who studies reptiles and amphibians as a field is called a herpetologist. The term applies whether someone focuses on field research, laboratory work, classification, or another area of herpetology; not every herpetologist studies every kind of reptile or amphibian.
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