Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone

I am slowly learning about venomous reptiles and there husbandry

And have taken notice that every venomous owner really knows the Latin names of there reptiles. I am wondering how you learned to pronounce some of the names. Is there any Latin dictionary or text book of herpetology out that would help? I am 19 and I want to know and understand what I am talking about before I keep anything dangerous.

PS Is there any good books that go in-depth about the class and order of reptiles?

Thank you Alejandro

I don't have a "good" answer for you, but here's my impression.

1) There are a few references available, but I don't have one and I don't know anyone who does off the top of my head.

2) Very few keepers actually do know the pronunciation rules and some are almost universally ignored.

3) Modern "scientific" Latin has it's own rules that do not quite match any known spoken version of Latin at any time in history.

4) Most snake species names are actually transliterations of Greek words anyway...
-----
What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

Most book stores will have a paperback Latin/English dictionary. For a good herp text which should answer all your questions you might check a nearby college book store (or access one on line) at a school where there is a strong zooology department that offers classes in herpetology. Those texts are pretty expensive -- be prepared to pay $100 or more, but I am sure there is a good comprehensive text in herpetology for college use.

Thank you Mike and Larry...

I found a great Herpetology text book on Amazon for only $35!!

I was under the Impression that everyone here was a Biologist. Im actually really impressed and proud to see that real hot owners go by proper scientific names and no confusing common names.

Thank you

Alejandro

This is one of the better topics I have seen in awhile
-----
1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old

they really don't know how to pronounce Latin the way it was originally pronounced. The general consensus is to use Italian pronunciation (as Italian is the closet derivitive). Just think of Italian food, Spaghetti, Linguini, Rigatoni etc. The accent is on the second to last syllable. When two vowels are together the fluid blending when spoke only brings out the sound or the second vowel,

I have noticed most countiries use a more proper pronunciation. Americans and British speak a whole different language, lol. A couple examples..

Crotalus...when I was a kid everyone said "Crow-TAL-us" which is actually teh proper way to say it. Nowdays everyone says "CROTE-uh-luhs"

atrox....proper pronunciation is "AH-trohz" meaning horrible. Spanish still uses "atroz" as in "un crimen atroz" "a horrible crime". It is also the base for "atrocious" and "atrocity". We herpers all say "AY-trocks".

adamanteus.."ad-uh-MANT-oos". Greek, "adamant" is self expanitory, "eus" is derived from "Zues" meaning "King" or "the one". Americans say "ad-uh-MAN-tee-uhs". And the list goes on and on, lol. But like they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. If you walked aroud using propoer Latin nobody would have a clue what you were saying, lol.