Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I will be graduating in a couple years and am consodering becoming a herpetoligist. What kind of schooling is required? What are the good herp schools? What is the average pay? Who imploys a herpetologist? Any other useful info apreciated. My other option is vetrenarian but the school guidence office has whole books on that.

It seems like mostly a desk job...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/guides/guide-display/-/1JW4NIOQ6E3W7/104-0144001-7129539

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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Zeo)
0.2.0 Leopard Geckos (Vienna, Chomps)
1.0.0 Golden Retriever (Rocky, 11 y.o.)

Sounds pretty good, Any idia what the better schools for more acedemic oriented (university type) are?

Thank You

I know university of texas and texas A&M university have some big names in herpetology. Andy
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Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

Otherwise, I don't know that I'd suggest it. A respected member of the other site got a bachelor's from a&m and didn't seem happy with it, or so i've heard. I know it's a great vet school.
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without electricity, we'd be watching television in the dark

I was just going by the herpetologists that are based there, as I figured if they have good herpetologists, they probably have a good herp program. Honestly though, I have heard quite a few good things about UT, although I havn't checked them out myself. Take it easy dude.
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Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

n/a

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When I raise my flashing sword, and my hand takes hold on judgement. I will take vengeance upon my enemies and I will repay those who haste me. O'Lord, raise me to thy right hand, and count me among those saints

AIM-Lgholbrooki

Scott@texassnakes.net

Some that come to mind are, Universoty of Arlington Tx, Kingsville A@M and the UofGeorgia. I am in the same boat you are only I am already in college and it is getting time to transfer. I am looking at Sul Ross as a possible school. But Herpetologist from what I know seems to be mostly a desk job and I def want something that can be hands on.
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Sometimes I run and sometimes I crawl, Sometimes I fly and sometimes I fall, But this dream of mine won't change at all

AIM-Lgholbrooki

Scott@texassnakes.net

Scott, you don't seem to have done much of your college research! If you are willing to stick it out, make good grades through college (high school doesn't matter- if you go to a community college they won't even look at your hs grades when you transfer), and learn more about your field than anyone else, you will definitely have more things available to you than a desk job. Some good schools for herpetology are U of Florida and U of Texas. When you hear "herpetology is just a desk job", it is usually just parents wanting their kids to choose a more stable career. The only thing I will warn you guys of is this:
If you like money, start getting used to not having any. Herpetologists don't get rich. It's that simple. Scott and I have worked our butts off daily in jobs that aren't even fun, but we won't see a penny of it because it all goes to gas on our herping trips. Will we get a headstart on our careers? Yes. Will we make as much money in the future as Andy (the wannabe vet)? No. We have different paths, though. Andy has his vet thing, and I've got mine. If herpetology runs through your veins, go for it!
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without electricity, we'd be watching television in the dark

That is part of the reason I decided not to be a herpetologist. For years I wanted to be one, until I woke up and realized what a spoiled little kid I am. I could never live off of the meager means. Don't get me wrong, I would love being a herpetologist and it is a GREAT profession for sure. Just not right for me as I would go bankrupt quite early. Andy
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Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry