There are specific laws governing who can and cannot call themselves an MD. To my knowledge there is no such law regarding who can and cannot call themselves a herpetologist.

A "herptoculturist" is one who keeps and breeds herps. A herpetologist is one who scientifically studies herps.

From the American Society of Icthyologists and Herpetologists.:
I based my statement on the fact that it has only been recently that there have been offered specific courses in herpetology. Prior to that degreed herpetologists actually had their degree in another discipline (zoology, biology, etc) and then on their own pursued the study of Herps.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I have to disagree with Kathy here, sorry! Mark is a very experienced and knowledgable man, and he does nothing for the camera! - His programmes are completely natural, and one of his rules is that there are to be no set-up or staged shots, no re-captures or re-shots. What you see is what you get. I think he is a great man who has done much for the herp kingdom.

And I'm with Merlin on the definitions of herpetologist.

Anyway, the articles as you requested. Erm, how do I do this? They are very lengthy articles..

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

Im changing my title to Herpetologist Jeff Henderson then I guess. I guess every little kid that comes into ReptiChat spouting off about bieng a herpetologist was right.......not.

Jeff, a herpetoculturist is someone who is in the hobby - I am a herpetoculturist, you are, we all are on this forum,. we all keep reptiles and have them as pets and perhaps breed them.

A herpetologist is someone who studies herps/reptiles.

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

Well sure Bitis but from what you and merlin are saying, all it takes to be a herpetologist is to "study" reptiles. Well I study them, whats to keep me from calling myself a Herpetologist? Well according to what you and Merlin both say theres nothing keeping me from doing so.

So you see where my problem lies. If you do not have a PHD from an accredited institution then you are NOT and CANNOT call yourself a Herpetologist. So because Steve Irwin inherited a zoo, do you think he should be called a Herpetologist? NO WAY!!! He doesnt have his doctorate but according you and Merlin he would be a herpetologist because he does indeed study reptiles and their natural history....you see what Im getting at here?

There is more to life than a piece of paper, some of the most knowledgable people out there did not go to college.

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Answers are great. But I prefer questions!

Visit me at www.jaysreptiles.com

In this world that peice of paper matters alot!

Well, yes the piece of paper means a lot, that's why a lot of us study hard at uni and college,. but it doesn't always mean everything. If you study reptiles then I would call you a herpetologist. What would you call it??

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

Hello,
My personal opinion is that a herpetologist requires a degree. To my knowledge and interpretation, an amateur herpetologist better describes those with an advanced education with reptiles. To be an amateur herpetologist, I don't believe that it would require the physical eduction found in a classroom. Some of the best learning and education is not done in a formal setting, but rather by ones experiences and errors.
My interpretation however is that "herpetologist" is reserved for those with the papers to back it. An amateur herpetologist however seems to better describe those without the paper, but do have knowledge of advanced husbandry, reptile behavior and health.

Well said!!! Now THAT I can agree with