Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,

I know this might be a bit of an odd request, but I was wondering if there are any specific (trusted) websites or any documentation that you can point me to that has the majority (or all) definitions of herpetological terms? Basically as some of you know, I am designing a website to help promote the responsible keeping of reptiles (particularly the more dangerous ones). What I am wanting to do is get permission from someone who has set up a dictionary of these terms and make a search dictionary on my website to help people understand these terms a bit more.

Does anyone happen to have any ideas? I would appreciate your input.

Thanks,

Chris

>>Hey all,
>>
>>I know this might be a bit of an odd request, but I was wondering if there are any specific (trusted) websites or any documentation that you can point me to that has the majority (or all) definitions of herpetological terms? Basically as some of you know, I am designing a website to help promote the responsible keeping of reptiles (particularly the more dangerous ones). What I am wanting to do is get permission from someone who has set up a dictionary of these terms and make a search dictionary on my website to help people understand these terms a bit more.
>>
>>Does anyone happen to have any ideas? I would appreciate your input.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Chris
Glossary of herp terms

-----
Chris Harrison
San Antonio, TX

>>>>Hey all,
>>>>
>>>>I know this might be a bit of an odd request, but I was wondering if there are any specific (trusted) websites or any documentation that you can point me to that has the majority (or all) definitions of herpetological terms? Basically as some of you know, I am designing a website to help promote the responsible keeping of reptiles (particularly the more dangerous ones). What I am wanting to do is get permission from someone who has set up a dictionary of these terms and make a search dictionary on my website to help people understand these terms a bit more.
>>>>
>>>>Does anyone happen to have any ideas? I would appreciate your input.
>>>>
>>>>Thanks,
>>>>
>>>>Chris
>>Glossary of herp terms
>>
>>-----
>>Chris Harrison
>>San Antonio, TX

This is a worthy undertaking but subjectively problematic. I own a copy of "Dictionary of Herpetology" by James A. Peters and it is close to 400 pages long. There are two other such dictionaries listed on Amazon but they are all quite lengthy and quite expensive. Many of the terms are of little use outside a formal academic environment so you will need to define some parameters to narrow down your online dictionary.

My suggestion would be to put together a glossary for your web site. It can be a work in progress to include any and all specific terms used in the text and articles of the site. You can also add any other terms you come across that you feel the novice to advanced hobbyist would benefit from. Look through the glossaries of books the represent the same academic level you envision for your web site. I have seen a few web sites that had glossaries of terms associated with breeding/genetics so maybe you can link to them as well. If you cut and paste or copy from any dictionaries or glossaries be sure to give proper citation using an accepted academic model to avoid any plagiarism.
-----
Randy Hallman

Thank you,

I am not trying to get too in depth on the definititions, but I know that there are a number of terms out there that you see getting thrown around on this very forum that beginning hobbyists don't understand their meaning. So I am just trying to help these individuals learn and have an easy access to the information.

I will certainly be sure to cite my sources as I am not trying to take credit for anyone elses' hard work.

Thank you for the information!

Chris

>>This is a worthy undertaking but subjectively problematic. I own a copy of "Dictionary of Herpetology" by James A. Peters and it is close to 400 pages long. There are two other such dictionaries listed on Amazon but they are all quite lengthy and quite expensive. Many of the terms are of little use outside a formal academic environment so you will need to define some parameters to narrow down your online dictionary.
>>
>>My suggestion would be to put together a glossary for your web site. It can be a work in progress to include any and all specific terms used in the text and articles of the site. You can also add any other terms you come across that you feel the novice to advanced hobbyist would benefit from. Look through the glossaries of books the represent the same academic level you envision for your web site. I have seen a few web sites that had glossaries of terms associated with breeding/genetics so maybe you can link to them as well. If you cut and paste or copy from any dictionaries or glossaries be sure to give proper citation using an accepted academic model to avoid any plagiarism.
>>-----
>>Randy Hallman

>I have seen a few web sites that had glossaries of terms associated with breeding/genetics ....

So have I, and many of them contain definitions that range from misleading to wrong. It's best to check them for accuracy *before* making a link to them.

Paul Hollander