Comments on: Professional Herpetologists And Reptile Keepers Please Help…?

By: oikos

oikos — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:21:31 +0000

You don’t say where you are in Middle America. On the chance that you are in Costa Rica, you might try the university there. The last time I checked (many years ago), the head of the department was Douglas Robinson, a herpetologist. He might have retired since then; he’s almost as old as I am. I no longer mark my age in years and have switched to geologic eras.
If you want to get ahead as a zoo-keeper, a bachelor’s in zoology is good; a master’s is better. Why don’t you write to the directors of a few zoos and ask for their opinions. They know better what they want than most of the folks here do.

By: evanesce

evanesce — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:17:59 +0000

I do not have a degree in Zoology or Herpetology … but you may want to go talk to some zoo reptile people and ask some questions. They might be able to help you get in contact w/ people or lead you to where to go.
Asking a herp/reptile vet may even be a good possible choice.
Best of luck to you!

By: madsnake

madsnake — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:31:26 +0000

I personally know a few actual herpetologists, and they all did their undergrad in Biology, I believe. One of them is a biology professor at a university, another is a zookeeper, and another is a professsional snake breeder, Bob Clark. Jobs for someone with a degree in herpetology are very limited, and most people will be unable to find jobs utilizing their education. But yes, a college degree is almost a requirement to be a zookeeper. You can contact Dr. Neil Ford, who I am friends with as well as his son. He is a herpetologist and the biology professor at the University of Texas at Tyler. I can’t think of anyone who could better answer your questions and tell you what you need to know to get started on the right path. Here is his e-mail address: nford@uttyler.edu