Herpetology

[Hustler]

ok so I'm kinda stuck here well I like reptiles but mostly snakes and so I thought I'd try out herpetology and see where that would take me. Only thing is just about every search I've made so far trying to find information on it and where to go to study they are never straight forward. I have 1 more year to really make a decision on what I want to study so wanted to know what requirements do some universities require to go and study there? any help appreciated

[rubida]

I think there is a similar topic somewhere on this forum. There is more than one route in the academic world to take do herpetology. You can do the well know BSc degree in zoology or conservation ecology degree or take the technical route and do a N.Dip in Nature conservation, but this will depend on what you like to do. After that you may start to do research projects in your B-Tech or MSc, PhD level on reptiles.

Go and have a look at this site:

http://academic.sun.ac.za/botzoo/verte/index.htm

[Klippies]

I am sitting with the same "problem", dont know what to do next year after matric. Very keen on nature conservation but the subjects needed to go study it is what i sadly dont have.

[Hustler]

As soon as you go to the link it's in Afrikaans and I dont understand a word except for baie dankie an thats about it

[Piston]

Well here is my story....

I did my BSc in Zoology and Biochemistry at the North-West University and then my Masters in Enviromental Science. For my project I joined the African Amphibian Conservation Research Group (AACRG) at the NWU. My thesis was on the amphibians of the Vredefort Dome. To cut the story short, I am now the assistant herpetologist for Bill Branch at Bayworld, Port Elizabeth.

But as rubida said there are diffrent ways on doining it. Universities that got Herpetology study groups includes NWU, Wits, Kovies, Stellenbosch an UCT. Or go Marius Burger route, starting at Nature Con and then Freelance. A specialist in the field of herpetolgy, doinig EIA, get a lot of money.


Hope that help.

Werner Conradie
P.S. feel free to email me for more info werner@bayworld.co.za

[Hustler]

Thanks for all the help

[atropos]

Klippies don't worry if you don't have biology which is probably the subject you need. If you have a keen interest they should let you in. Nature con is awesome and gives you endless opportunities

[Wolf777]

What do I need to study to work with reptiles but mainly snakes, and what subjects do I need?

[Hano]

How long do u study for herpetology? I'm also thinking of studying it?