Herpetology...viable option?

[Squirgle]

I've been doing a lot of thinking latelly of what I want to do as a future. I love my reptiles and everything about them. I heard little snippets hear and there about herpetology and it caught my interest. Firstly, what EXACTLY do herpetologists do? I have a vague idea, but I'd like to hear it straight. Also, how is it as a career? Is this a job that can support someone on their own or help with a family or would it suit better as a '2nd job'? The most I could find from a casual search the other day is that most start with a biology major and then specialize in reptile research? anyhow, if anyone could shed the light on the situation for me, I'd appreciate it.
James
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[Ravnos]

I can definitely tell you what a true herpetologist does not do. Have a tv show on it. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

There are different fields available really: you can teach, you can run a zoo (or a department of a zoo), you can work for Parks & Wildlife, you can be a vet - those are the ones that require formal training, aside from that - there are importers, brokers, rehabbers, rescuers, breeders... none of which truly require a formal training. "Herpetologist" is a very vague term, used to describe pretty much anyone who makes a living working with reptiles. What interests you? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Rav
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[Squirgle]

Hmm, that would be why I couldn't really find a difinitive answer on just what a herpetologist does. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Most of what I was reading on the subject actually seemed to be more a research type job, choosing a certain animal or a certain group of animals and studying them to learn something new, that really seemed interesting. I believe thats more what I was leaning towards than anything else. Since I was about 6 I wanted to be a vet, but once I started really looking at it, I decided I'd really only want to be a reptile vet, but unfortunatelly you can't just start that way, you have to be a vet and then just lean more towards reptiles than anything else. Dogs, cats, birds, and other small animals, I've come to learn do not interest me in any way when it comes to veterinary care, just the herps. What I'm most interested in finding is a job that has Something to do with reptiles and either research or care that I could actually try and call my career. People always say that your job should have something to do with what interests you most, and I know I'd be really happy working with reptiles, I already am. As much as I enjoy the job, a pet store wage just isn't going to cut it. Thanks Rav!
James
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[deadboy]

Do what my friend at the pet shop does, he is the reptile specialist there and that pet shop is number one in reptile care because of him and he breeds reptiles on the side. I mean he doesnt make a ton of money or anything but it is all about spreading the word of good herp care to him. It is really nice to have someone that knows as much as he does working at a pet shop.
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[Squirgle]

Deadboy, thats exactly what I am doing. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Except for the breeding, I'm just starting that. I work at a pet store and I'm the "reptile specialist" whom everyone comes to for questions. Pet store pay just can't support someone on their own though. Let alone help with someone else or school.
James
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[Holligirl]

I' jonnyb just on g/f's computer
I too have thought about a carear in herptology. I'm going to volunteer at a zoo. you might want to try that Squirgle to kinda get your feet wet pluss you will be workin with herpetolgists and they can give you better info good luck
jonnyb [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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[telefrag]

>>From what I know it is a zoological degree of a reptile specialist. I belive that a vet that specializes in reptiles is a herpatologist, but I could be wrong. I do know that Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin are both herpatogists, but I know that nither of them are veterinarians. I'm not sure what kind of jobs it may lead to other then nature show host or reptile conservation jobs. I though am no expert on the subject and some one will be along shortly with the knowledge you want.


I dont think that Steve Irwin or Jeff Corwin are actually degreed herpetologists, Jeff Corwin has a degree in biology, but I do not think he has the masters in zoology or the relevant herpetological degree.

I heard that Jeff Corwin was a bat specialist.
Steve Irwin, I would be suprised if he actually went to college.
not that it has anything to do with animal knowledge.
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[Ravnos]

A degree in biology, specializing in reptiles would technically be a herpetologist... but like I said in my previous post, the term 'herpetologist' is used to describe pretty much anyone who makes money with reptiles - schooled or not.

Research jobs are not as common as one may think, but there are many out there. Most people who are doing research on reptiles, are also university professors. They teach as their real job and then get university funding to do their research and interesting stuff. There are private sector research jobs, like those for antivenin production and such. There are also a few companies doing cancer research with various types of venom. Each state Parks & Wildlife usually employs a herpetologist or two to do species surveys, help with endangered species, education programs and so forth. Some cities may even employ a reptile expert in their animal control - though, most of your job would be wrangling dogs and cats, they are the ones also called to reptiles. Dunno... its a big world out there, find what interests you and what you find fun to do and run with it. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Rav - pasted in the right spot this time. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

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[vetstudent82]

hey there, check these sites out:

Society of the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

Herpetology as a Career

CAREERS IN HERPETOLOGY

WISCONSIN HERPETOLOGY HOMEPAGE

The trick for schools and programs and such: go to any search engine, type in herpetology and search that result. You can also add like.. dregree, schol, college, PhD etc etc depending on what you are looking for. Then usually you'll find a herp society or sth like that. Then, bookmark the society site and browse from there. YOu can lso send e-mails out to the contact us people.

That's what I'm doing looking of alternatives in case I don't get into vet school!
Good luck. Feel free to e-mail me with any others questions!
vetstudent82@yahoo.com

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[nomadbean]

Myboyfriend's brother is studying Herpotology at Fredonia University in NY, he is a grad student there. Their department is one of the best I am sure if you call the college, they can put you in touch with the right person to ask about career plans or go to www.fredonia.edu and look up the department and email them. Brian is going into research and teaching with his, just in case you were wondering what he plans to do. Good luck, you get to go on field trips to South America too, for research on the critters in the wild. Sounds fun to me.
Trina
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