Herpetology
Herpetology is a specialized branch of zoology dedicated to the study of reptiles and amphibians. This field encompasses a wide range of creatures, including snakes, crocodiles, turtles, frogs, toads, and salamanders. Herpetologists examine various biological aspects of these animals, such as their genetics, anatomy, behavior, and ecological roles, which helps in understanding their interactions with the environment. These animals often serve as indicator species, allowing researchers to detect changes in their ecosystems based on population fluctuations.
To pursue a career in herpetology, individuals typically need a minimum of a four-year degree in biology, with advanced degrees often required for more competitive positions. Herpetologists may work in various settings, including universities, research institutions, government agencies, and zoos, where they engage in research and conservation efforts to protect these species and their habitats. The field emphasizes the importance of preserving the environment, as many reptile and amphibian populations are threatened by habitat destruction and environmental changes. This discipline not only contributes to our understanding of biodiversity but also plays a crucial role in conservation efforts globally.
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Herpetology
Herpetology is a branch of zoology that focuses on reptiles and amphibians. Reptiles include scaled animals such as snakes, crocodiles, and turtles. Amphibians are small animals that live near and in water and include frogs, toads, and salamanders. Herpetologists study the complete biological systems of these animals, including their genetics, anatomies, physiologies, behavior, and geographic distribution. Knowing this information helps herpetologists detect changes in the animals' environment, since animals often modify their habitats based on alterations in their ecosystems. Related to this, herpetologists also work to conserve reptile and amphibian populations in the face of environmental destruction.
A four-year undergraduate degree in biology is a minimum requirement for becoming a herpetologist. Individuals who go on to acquire master's or doctorate degrees, and who obtain sufficient research experience, are more likely to become employed in the competitive field of herpetology. Jobs for herpetologists include professorships at colleges and universities and research positions at private or government environmental agencies.
Background
Herpetology is concerned with studying reptiles and amphibians in their natural habitats or in laboratory conditions. Herpetologists may specialize in a variety of research areas related to these animals. Some herpetologists focus on their biological systems, while others study the animals' behavior or reproductive habits.
Herpetologists intensely study any or all of these aspects of reptiles and amphibians, but all herpetologists know basic biological information about the animals. Reptiles are vertebrates, or organisms with spines. They include animals such as snakes, crocodiles, alligators, turtles, and lizards. Reptiles' skin is covered in scales or plates of bone. Reptiles are prehistoric animals, first appearing in fossils from about 315 million years ago.
Reptiles are said to be "cold-blooded," meaning their bodies are not consistently one temperature, as the bodies of "warm-blooded" animals such as humans are. Reptiles therefore depend on the temperature of their environment to regulate their own temperature and perform certain biological functions. For instance, lizards cannot make themselves warm in cold environments or cool in warm environments. To change their body temperature, they move into sun or shade. Reptiles also cannot sufficiently metabolize without external heat sources. Metabolism refers to all the chemical processes that occur in organisms to sustain life. Reptiles metabolize faster in hot environments. This is why they are mostly inactive in cold periods.
Amphibians are relatively small vertebrates that have existed since about 370 million years ago. They include frogs, toads, and salamanders. Amphibians must live in water or primarily wet environments. This is because they absorb water into their skin and lay their eggs in water. Amphibian skin is useful in other ways, too. Glands in the skin allow the animals to take in or expel chemicals such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. Other glands help to ward off harmful bacterial infections. Skin glands can also be used as self-defense. Poison dart frogs secrete various poisons through their skin. Animals that touch the frogs' skin can become paralyzed, have seizures, or die.
Amphibians are cold-blooded, like reptiles. They cannot be exposed to too much sun or wind, or they can dry out and die. This is why water is so important to amphibians. Frog and toad eggs hatch into tiny aquatic animals called tadpoles. These look like fish, but they eventually grow legs and lungs that allow them to begin living on land as fully grown frogs and toads.
Herpetologists study all this information and more, including how reptiles and amphibians interact with their environments. The relationships between reptiles and amphibians and the natural world are important to herpetologists because a large part of herpetology is concerned with attempting to preserve the animals' environment.
Overview
Herpetologists study reptiles and amphibians in the wild or in laboratories. They observe the animals' behaviors and anatomies and may publish their discoveries in scientific journals. In addition to learning about reptiles and amphibians themselves, herpetologists also examine the animals' habitats to assess population numbers, environmental conditions, and potential threats to that environment.
Some reptiles and amphibians are known as indicator species. These are animals that scientists observe to determine if change has been occurring in the animals' ecosystem. Herpetologists can learn much about a frog habitat, for example, by noting an abundance or absence of frogs from that habitat. An absence of frogs from the animals' normal domain might suggest that the environment has changed in some way as to threaten the frog population of that area. Herpetologists may attempt to conserve the environment themselves as part of a program run by their employers, but they sometimes require additional assistance. In these cases, herpetologists may appeal to their country's government to create laws that limit industries from destroying natural habitats.
Becoming a herpetologist requires extensive schooling and research experience. The minimum educational requirement is a four-year bachelor's degree, usually in biology. Few schools around the world offer undergraduate degrees in specialized fields of biological study, such as herpetology itself. Obtaining the undergraduate degree requires students to take courses in biology, anatomy, ecology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and other subjects. To become more eligible for employment as a herpetologist later, students are recommended to acquire master's and doctorate degrees. Doing this requires the students to perform herpetological research in nature and laboratories.
Many herpetologists work in educational or research positions. While teaching herpetology at colleges or universities, professors can provide students with useful firsthand research experience by allowing them to participate in their own professional research projects. Herpetologists who work as biological researchers for government environmental agencies or private firms usually divide their time between observing animals in the wild and studying them in the laboratory. This work involves humanely obtaining and storing reptiles and amphibians, maintaining their facilities in the lab, caring for the animals while researching, keeping a sanitary work environment, and recording data in computer systems.
Other herpetologists work in museums, where they maintain animal exhibits and collections and may also interact with the public. Herpetologists who work in zoos oversee the facility's reptiles and amphibians while educating the public about these animals. Herpetologists are sometimes recommended to learn a second language, as research abroad may be required to study reptiles and amphibians native to foreign countries.
Bibliography
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"Herpetology." American Museum of Natural History, www.amnh.org/our-research/vertebrate-zoology/herpetology. Accessed 12 Sept. 2017.
"Herpetology." California Academy of Sciences, www.calacademy.org/scientists/herpetology. Accessed 12 Sept. 2017.
Kramer, Mary Hope. "Herpetologist Career Information." The Balance, 23 June 2017, www.thebalance.com/herpetologist-125922. Accessed 12 Sept. 2017.
Seibert, Henri C., et al. "How to Be a Herpetologist." Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, 1985, ssarherps.org/all-about-herps/how-to-be-a-herpetologist/. Accessed 12 Sept. 2017.
"What Is a Herpetologist?" EnvironmentalScience.org, www.environmentalscience.org/career/herpetologist. Accessed 12 Sept. 2017.