Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This may not be the best place to post this but I frequent this forum the most and didn't see one that was dedicated to this topic (if there is one please show me to it)...but here goes...

I am a junior in highschool, I breed honduran milksnakes (mostly anery, amel and a few other morphs soon to breed) and Dendrobates auratus. I have been herping since I was a child and have always and will always have an interest and...passion I guess...for herps. I still have much to learn in the different fields of herpetology and studies similar to it, but I would like to major in herpetology or as close as I may get. As long as I am happy doing what I am doing, I'll do it; I'm not into breeding for money, and I don't aim my life career and living just to strike rich and somewhat enjoy myself. I'd be happy being a park ranger if I was in the right place.
I got home a half an hour ago from visiting colleges, pretty much random colleges, but it was pretty great. So what I'm getting at is:
-What colleges are known for herpetology studies or feature them?
-Where could I find more information on herpetology majors and careers?
-I'd like to hear anything, even college stories and career stories.

I love breeding and keeping herps, and I could be happy majoring in music ( studying abroad to Ireland sounds great to me!) and still keeping my hobby, but if I can major and seek success in herpetology, I'd love to do it like I have ...dreamed?...for so long. Odd post, I know, but I'm sure there are people on this forum that understand what I'm talking about and mabey even sought similar goals. Thanks for taking the time to read this. My email adress is Bigteapot@optonline.net . I'd love to hear all stories, advice, and anything. Thanks,
-Sean

Auburn University in Auburn, AL has an excellent herp program located in their biological sciences department. You may be familiar with Dr. Robert Mount, the author of Reptiles and Amphibians of Alabama. He's the retired herp guy, and now Dr. Craig Guyer(forgive my terrible memory for not remembering how to spell his last name, maybe Geyer?). Anyway, you may have seen some of their graduate studies on boa constrictors televised on Snake Wranglers. I visited their campus last summer, as I had thought about obtaining a Masters in herpetology there.

If I could offer any advice in your career pursuit I would try to obtain a B.S. degree in either wildlife biology or conservation ecology(or related field), and then go in to higher education pursuing a masters and PHD. There is a slim chance of obtaining a bachelors degree in herpetology. It is more of a specific field that you have to build up to. Good luck!!

This website gives some good information to answer your questions.

Tim
Link

I think it was said already above, but there really are no herp undergrad. degrees. As an undergrad bio major you want ot get a good background in every thing and focus in on things you are interested in. Take wildlife bio, ecology, conservation bio, and if they have them herpetology and parisitology. Evolution will be a must.

Also take a language, its good to know others languages just for thier own sake, but if you want to get to work in other countries it will make your life easier.

When you are looking at schools check out the research interests for the Profs. in the bio dept., one of the best things you can do is an undergrad research project with one of them. It will be even better if you find one interested in herps do work with.

Then, if you dont change your major (the majority of people change atleast once) you can decide if grad school is for you. Getting an MS or PhD is the best way to do what you want, since it is in these programs that you really focus in on a subject.

Finally, you have to study hard and be a good student and all that public service announcement stuff, but dont get so focused that you loose out on the college experience. Take some crazy art/music classes. Enjoy that weekends start on thursday afternoon. Its a great time.

Best,
Vinny
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“There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that whilst this planet has gone on cycling according to the fixed laws of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” -C. Darwin, 1859

Thanks for all the greta information and websites. I did find that it'd be unlikely that there would be an undergrad in herpetology, and that I'd have to do extra years. I've heard of those who seek their master's degree doing field study through college, venemous study, and studying abroad (with groups to other countries for this reason), all of which sounds great to me. I'd like to think I wouldn't change my major, and that I do have an undying interest for herps.
Thanks for the information, it all sounds great. Visiting colleges was just awesome; I cannot wait for future study and mabey herping in the area! Thanks,
-Sean

Forgot to add it into my earlier post. Although I dont do field work friends who have done this program loved it......

http://www.ots.duke.edu/

Vinny
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“There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that whilst this planet has gone on cycling according to the fixed laws of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” -C. Darwin, 1859