Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am strongly considering becoming a herpetologist. Those that are I would love to know the answers to these questions. When going to college, do you have to major in some form of biology like biology, zoology, ecology, or is there a certain one you must major in? After the bachelor degree, then what? Thanks so much.

There are no rules to becoming a herpetologist. Yes, a major in any of the subjects you listed would suffice. Ideally, you would move on to at least your masters that would give you the opportunity to do research (what most bonified herpetologists do). Even as an undergrad, you should try to get involved with as much research as possible (that should help you decide on the school you want to go to). Just remember that as in most of the "fun" sciences, there is isn't much money out there for herpetologists unless you work for the fed or state agencies.

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"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."
Governor George W. Bush, Jr.

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)

Thank you for your reply. I do have one more question for you though. What are those "fun" sciences you were talking about. Everyone else is welcome to tell me their tips.

http://www.parcplace.org/jobs.html

http://conbio.net/SCB/Services/Jobs/

http://www.sws.org/jobs/

http://wildweb.tamu.edu/jobs/job_view.cfm

http://wildweb.tamu.edu/jobs/job_view.cfm

http://www.wildlife.org/jobs/index.cfm?tname=jobsboard

Peruse any of the above. If you're still an undergrad, or still at a point in your life where money and sleeping with a roof over your head that isn't a tent, then do anything that sounds fun and promises to get you field experience.

A long time ago, a very thoughtful man asked me why I would want to work with animals, when it paid so little. He suggested I get a job making some decent money, and have a hobby that included animals, so I could have the best of both worlds.

Well, he is cursing the day he ever said that, because now I am a lab tech making decent money (not great, but much more than if I was a keeper at the local zoo or aquarium) and am involved in a turtle society and rescue. I probably spend as much time a week on reptile-related stuff as I spend working in a week! That man is my husband.

Some universities have programs specifically in herpetology, but not many. Towson University in Maryland is one of them, and the students do a lot of research. Some universities have classes in herpetology, but no major in it. A good well-rounded biology degree can help a lot, with classes in wildlife management and comparative anatomy, and of course herpetology, if they have it. The president of our turtle society is a zoo keeper, who obtained her masters in biogeography. I'll try to see where she went to school.

Katrina

As has already been mentioned, there are no curriculums dedicated strictly to herpetology, or a “herpetology” degree available. However, there are some excellent opportunities available to immerse yourself into projects involving herps, should you chose a University with a faculty interested in such areas.
A few Universities harboring recognized herp programs, and faculty interested in such, would be the University of Texas-Austin, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Marshall University-West Virginia, and Florida State University-Tallahassee and last, but not least The University of Arkansas. There are several more, but these are some of the schools I have direct experience with.
There are a host of opportunities available to the student wishing to further their knowledge and experience within the realm of herpetology as well, just take a peek at the following link: http://www.parcplace.org/herpjobs/job_frames.htm
If you would like contact information regarding the programs for any of the schools I have mentioned, e-mail me directly and I will place you into contact with some faculty members I know.

Best of luck to you,

Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.526.4856