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Careers in herpetology?

z10silver May 04, 2004 09:21 PM

I'm going to major in biology and was wondering if anyone knows any interesting career options involving herpetology? Estimated income?

thanks
zach
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AIM sn: z10silver

Replies (4)

Karu May 04, 2004 09:41 PM

Herpetology is not a well paid field.. I'd stick with just being a biologist. Plus herpetology courses aren't exactly the most offered courses at colleges, if you know what I mean.
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mom2autumnnreign May 04, 2004 10:15 PM

steve Irwin gets paid good lol
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4everherpn May 05, 2004 06:31 PM

The title of "herpetologist" is a made up one if you ask me. One does not need a college degree to be a herpetologist.

There really are not many paid jobs in herpetology. I've learned this the hard way. You may be able to get a job in a zoo or work for a state wildlife agency. These jobs are hard to come by and are hard to get because there are many out there applying for them. That is why in your educations pick up another major as well that might either make an employer want you as a herpetologist or pick up another field all together and keep herpetology as a hobby. I'm a biology major with a sociology minor and business administration minor. I'm hoping to get a job somewhere with what I have.

Also build up that resume. Just because you got a degree in biology does not mean you are guaranteed a job in herpetology. I have a friend right now that is coming out of college with a master's degree in biology with an emphasis in herpetology plus 3 months of zoo experience and field herping experience and he is having a time finding a job. This makes me nervous too. Even though I do not have a masters I have about 8 months of zoo experience and experience of herping on the field.
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ericchen May 06, 2004 07:38 PM

how bout interior decorator...and...manager of anything...i mean as far as im concerned...u could be anything if u get payed...
as for steve irwin...i don't know if he has any college degree or what not...but hes just a guy that worked in a croc farm that got lucky...hey...not trying to insult him or anything...i watch his show nearly every day...i love it...but a "true" 'herpetologist' would be like jeff corwin...steve austin i think....bill jenson...who do have college degrees...the truth is that most "herpetologists" usually are zoologists that have a special interest in herps...people like us...who don't have a college degree and what not....are more the hobbyist than the herpetologist..."herpers" are just a friendly name that was adopted because we do the occasional care/husbandry/hunting for reptiles...and there ARE herpetology classes...so i don't see how it can't be a title for work...uve heard of entemologists...so there is no reason why herpetologists are only a made up title....thats all...not trying to argue..just stating points ...

-eric chen
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"you won't know success if you haven't failed..."-eric chen
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