So what do you all think..

[David Evans Reptiles]

I meet a guy awhile back that was a breeder and keeper of reptiles (snakes and Lizards). He would introduce himself as a herpetologist. After a few conversations with this guy I decided to ask what school he attended and which zoo he worked at in the past. Because to the best of my knowledge a herpetologist is one that has a degree in zoology and has worked with reptiles at a zoo. He replied with, he had never recieved a degree at any college nor had he ever worked at any zoo. He explained to me that a herpetologist is one that keeps and breeds reptiles.
I was very confussed at this point as I thought a keeper and breeder of reptiles was considered a herp hoobyist. So my question is... Is this guy correct in referring to himself as a herpetologist or is he full of crap and nothing more than a hobbyist. It really doesn't mean anything either way to me other than personal information. So any comments are welcomed.
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[JordanAng420]

He's full of it. A herpetologist is a scientist who studies reptiles.

 

[VampyricAngelX]

I agree, he's full of it. There are tons of people who breed reptiles but that doesn't make them a herpetologist.

 

[shiftylou]

you dont have to work at a zoo aswell as be qualified as a zoologist to be a herpetologist, you must of course study reptiles but this can be anywhere in the world

 

[Bellalee]

Yes.. the zoo isn't a nesscessity, a professor at my school qualifies as a heraptologist, and she works with turtles.

It is the study of herps.. I would think that the study that you are doing is to further science.

Job description from monster.com.

A herpetologist studies and provides information about reptiles and amphibians.

In many regards, the job is similar to that of paleontologists, entomologists or ethologists, but herpetologists deal with snakes, lizards, frogs, alligators, turtles and other reptilian and amphibious creatures.

As you might imagine, you won't find herpetologists in most office buildings or commercial centers. Most of these jobs are with universities, natural history museums, and various state game and wildlife departments.

The most desired herpetology jobs involve extensive research doing species population counts, observing general behavior of select animals, conducting food supply studies and sometimes even searching for new species.

 

[Boopster]

I feel it is allright to call yourself a herpetologist if you feel you are one.
A herpetologist is someone who studies reptiles and amphibians, professionally or unprofessionally. You do not have to have a degree or anything.
Compare it to Ornithologist, the common birdwatcher readily calles himself an ornithologist withou catching any flak for it.
Funnily enough I rarely meet Herpetologists with a degree that get upset when someone without a formal degree calles themself a herpetologist.
Just my thoughts.

Axel
(Herpetologist, whichever way you look at it.)