Herpetologist

Remote

💊 Health

Herpetologists work in research labs, as professors, in zoos and in outdoor field settings. They study reptiles and amphibians, do research on live species in natural habitats and review preserved samples in laboratory settings. Graduate students often work as lab assistants early in their careers. Herpetologists that work in zoos handle and care for reptiles and amphibians. A herpetologist may also be responsible for setting up exhibits and providing care such as feeding and medication administration. Herpetologists working in the field assess issues, such as pollution and disease, that pose health risks and dangers to wild species.

What does a Herpetologist do?

A herpetologist is a zoology professional specializing in the care and study of amphibians and reptile species, including snakes, frogs, lizards, alligators, and turtles. Their duties include conducting research in the wild or controlled science lab settings, conducting educational lectures and working with various species in zoological settings.

Responsibilities

A Herpetologist should be able to fulfill various duties and responsibilities. The following are some duties and responsibilities a Herpetologist should be able to execute:

Maintaining reptile enclosures
Assisting with venom extractions when researching snakes
Feeding plants and animals in exhibits
Creating plans for reptile husbandry
Maintaining research databases
Recording behavior, feeding data and husbandry data

Required Skills

A competitive Herpetologist will have certain skills and qualifications, including:

Strong research skills
A bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or Ph.D to meet the educational requirements of your job opening
Candidate is comfortable working with the public if the position includes educating others and hosting reptile and amphibian exhibits
Ability to work independently if position entails field work or research
Good critical thinking skills
Candidate is comfortable working in various settings, such as research labs, outdoors, zoos and museums

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