There are many exciting and rewarding career choices for people interested in herpetology. All herpetologists are first biologists, with a good knowledge of general biology, who have a specialized knowledge of amphibians and reptiles. Herpetologists include people with advanced academic degrees, non-scientists who work with amphibians and reptiles for a living, and people who pursue herpetology as an avocation. The following sections outline some of the major career directions and the training necessary to pursue them.
Most herpetologists do research on amphibians and reptiles.
The results of their research are published in scientific journals and books. Herpetologists may work in zoos or for wildlife agencies, do environmental assessments, teach, or care for museum collections. Some herpetologists work as writers, photographers, or animal breeders. The major categories of jobs for herpetologists are described below. The majority of herpetologists work as professors or researchers in colleges and universities.