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puertorab

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hey everyone. i know ive been spoken of on this forums but i realy dont care. my love and passion for reptiles has always been my one long dream. but having them and caring for them is not the farthest i want to take it. i want to make it part of my life to care for them and to keep them. ive always wanted to become a herpetologist but then the whole money issue comes into play, which really plays a large part in my decision making.

well what im trying to say is, what other career options do i have which will keep me involved with reptiles? by the way what is a herpetologist? i know its a branch of zoology which relates to the study of reptiles and amphibians, but what else is there to it? what do you really do in that field? i just cant ever find the right answer to that. also are there any organizations out there who have scholarships available for those who want to study in this field?

one more important thing i wanted to say, i just got my first acceptance letter to The City College of New York. from what ive been told by my instructors, this college has a great biology department, so that should help in making my dream true.

well who ever can help me with my search, i thank you. thanks to all that respond to this post. well i gtg now need to go to school.lol. later yall.
 
"ive always wanted to become a herpetologist.....by the way what is a herpetologist?" :rofl:


btw - congrats on your acceptance letter
 
hhmoore said:
"ive always wanted to become a herpetologist.....by the way what is a herpetologist?" :rofl:
Click to expand...
That truely is a classic.

"i know its a branch of zoology which relates to the study of reptiles and amphibians"

<!-- begin ahd4 --><!-- google_ad_region_start=def -->definition right from dictionary.com....

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>her·pe·tol·o·gy
n. <DL><DD>The branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians</DD></DL></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Try this word next time, since herpetology was too big for you.

zo·ol·o·gy
n. pl. zo·ol·o·gies
  1. The branch of biology that deals with animals and animal life, including the study of the structure, physiology, development, and classification of animals.
  2. The animal life of a particular area or period: <CITE>the zoology of Alaska; the zoology of the Pleistocene.</CITE>
  3. The characteristics of a particular animal group or category: <CITE>the zoology of mammals.</CITE>
  4. A book or scholarly work on zoology
...... well congrats......
 
so..he's always wanted to be a herpetologist...but has no clue what a herpetologist is...good luck with that one buddy.... :rofl:
 
ergg

I dont think he ment
ive always wanted to become a herpetologist.....by the way what is a herpetologist?
Click to expand...
I think he was more talking about what exactly does a herpertologist do and what is there for them. Its really hard to get into the field. My father was a herpetologist but he was from Nicaragua and went to Cornell. He said coming into America and looking for the work was rather hard. He worked for a university and was a professer but went out and took field herping trips to Central America and South AMerica. SO i guess its gonna be a hard road. I wish you good luck. Oh and congradulations on getting accepted thats awesome. Just make sure you dont forget about whats really important. The Animals
 
First of all, without a PhD in Herpotology you'll make no $$.
Literally speaking. Now you can be a teacher of science, but I think you have a very long way to go, and I'm not just speaking of the 8 years of college that is required.
 
I 100% agree with that. A PhD is what my dad has -whispers- smarty pants. Yeah but you are looking at alot of schooling. Oh and one thing, Most college students have to get rid of their herps. If that happens dont be surprised.
 
hey

some of you guys have nothing better to do other than to harass me and critic me in every thread i post. to those who have explained to me and gave me some advice, i thank you. adding on to my original post, what i wanted to really say was, what can i do as a career ( a job which makes money) which will keep me in the field of reptiles, i know that i will have a lot of schooling but thats not the issue. i want to make money at what i like which is reptiles. i know i still have a long way to go but i have all the time in the world and lots of researching to do. i just want to know what else is out there for me in the field of reptiles. by the way if any of you care, i have learned many things about reptiles and all the animals i have. i now can really deal with them and im still learning more as the days go by.
by the way does anyone know what it takes to be an ASPCA officer or what ever its called in you area? maybe that can be an option for me. thanks to all
-Naem I
 
puertorab said:
by the way does anyone know what it takes to be an ASPCA officer or what ever its called in you area? maybe that can be an option for me. thanks to all
-Naem I
Click to expand...

Why don't you just fill out an application to be a dog catcher in your local city or county? They come across herps I'm sure.
 
I may be wrong on this, but my feeling is that most people working in the various aspects of "herpetology" do so because it keeps them close to an area of particular interest. If you are looking for the big bucks, you'll likely be disappointed. I'm not saying that it can't be done, just that it is the exception. pursue what makes you happy... if the $$ come, REJOICE! In the mean time, continue learning about your animals. keep them well, and enjoy them.
by the way - I don't know you, or your history here. I meant no offense by my initial post. it just struck me funny
 
Oh, thanks PR...I haven't laughed this hard for days... :rofl:

Uh, I don't know if you and the field of Herpetology have a future together...I do remember the past.

I have never met a rich scientist...but I do know quite a few who do what they love to do, at the cost of eating top ramen all the time, and losing more financially than they gain. In view of your past posts, I don't think that would suit you too well.

Maybe you should become a lawyer.

greg
 
i really dont care about your opinion since its always negative. by the way HHmore i didnt mean any offense towards you really, those who offended me in a very bad way. although some of you guys try to crush my dreams i really dont let that put me down. im from the worst of the worst of neighborhoods and i strive everyday to survive. i dont let anything keep me from what i work hard to earn. i know it takes time to and lots of effort into becomeing some one who really deals with and is into reptiles, but i have more than enough time. im only 17 and ive been deeply into reptiles since i was 13. so tahts four years and i know so much about reptiles, maybe not as much of many of you guys out there but i do have enough knowledge now to provide basic and indepth care for certain types of reptiles and animals. as the days go by i learn so much but i know i dont know a lot and that is why i come here to ask questions and to learn more. i might not look so knowledge-able to you guys but i think im pretty good and know quite a lot. well any way thanks to those who understand where im coming from with this. well any way thanks and bye yall.
 
Look, relax naem. Aint noone crushing your dreams. There are these neat little things called books out there (Yes it is true). That are written by some of the best people out there in the reptile field. These i have a feeling is what you are mainly after so you can advance your knowledge in reptile husbandy.... These can be purchased online just about anywhere.

herpetology.com/medbooks.html

This would be the same type of material you would study in herpetology. If you are going to get a book, the ones by fyre and mader are the better ones. There probably others there, that are equally as good, but i do not know.
 
PR, you start off by saying you "don't care" what anyone thinks, and then ask for advice...what are you possibly thinking? Of course what I write is going to be negative, you start with a negative statement.
Public apologies are usually phrased somewhat better...perhaps a "Hey all, I know the last time I was on here I kind of screwed up, but I really need to ask for some advice " ...etc. You would do better...and trust me, if you are serious about becoming a scientist, public relations skills are critical.

You might want to try volunteering at your local university's animal lab, or at the nearest museum...avoid zoos and pet shops, working with them will actually hurt your chances of an academic career initially...but be ready for some real commitment time.
Have two very good friends that you see from time to time on Nature and the Discovery channel that have worked their way up the food chain, and now are able to enjoy their work time (which is still over 70 hours per week)...but they paid a lot of dues.

Like the others said...pick up some books, especially some field experience books (cry of the kalahari, snakes:keeper and the kept, snakes and snake hunting, ...all good books) and make sure that this is really something you are willing to go full-guns-blazing for...then do it.

negative greg
 
hhmoore said:
I may be wrong on this, but my feeling is that most people working in the various aspects of "herpetology" do so because it keeps them close to an area of particular interest. If you are looking for the big bucks, you'll likely be disappointed.
Click to expand...

I couldn't have said it any better.
 
When I was 16 and 17 years old I worked at a pet shop which mainly specialized in reptiles. The guy running the shop literally knew half of what I did and he was about 35 years old. I worked for store credit, and no I didn't get the wholesale price, I paid FULL PRICE for everything. But you know what, I didn't care, cleaning cages, feeding, scrubbing the floors, it didn't matter, I was doing something I really enjoyed.

Way back then I used to talk to a guy named Mark Bayless. He is a MASTER in the Varanus species. I used to talk to him probably 2-3 times a week sometimes, and just pick his friggin brain (great guy Mark is). What got me really fired up about animals was when he told me that at age 16 I knew more about reptiles than a lot of other people out there.
I guess what I'm trying to say is; yes ask questions: A LOT OF QUESTIONS, but also give back what you learn to someone else.
I thought I wanted to be a herpotologist way back when, but you know what, I have bills that would go unpaid.

Naem, I would just say to you that your best bet is stop the pity-party stuff with; "I grew up in the worst of the worst neighborhood", and just try to learn (read, ask questions) as much as possible. A lot of people here will be more than glad to answer whatever questions you have, but when you pop off to people the way you do, you ain't gonna get nothing!
Take this for what it's worth bro!
 
hey you gys are all right. im sorry for my behavior and my comments which were really not helping at all. well thanks yall you guys really have an impact on me. today there was a reptile expo which i attended and i purchased a few books. i will do as all you guys saybecause the advice you guys give me is teh best i can get.

i know i have really been kindof screwed up a lil but thats not my fault. i have too many things going through my head and life that i am too busy to realize that i have done many mistakes. i just said i didnt care because i really got tired of getting negative comments from every post i made. but its ok, i really do care about what you guys say because its real and it the truth. well anyway i have to get going, have some reading to do. thanks to you all and thats from my heart. i trully am greatful for all your advice.
 
Good for you ! Well spoken, and I am glad you picked up some literature...no need to study it...take your time and glean as much info from it as you can...within no time, you will be on your way.
Congrats!

greg
 
You do have options. But, for the most part they aren't options that will allow you to earn big bucks. If a formal education is of interest to you you can pursue that. For example, Veterinary school, Vet Tech school. See what zoos want in experience and education before they hire. It will vary depending on the zoo. You won't even discover all the options until you get involved. Involving yourself, in some capacity, in the field or a related field will end up opening doors that don't exist for you today. I went the academic route and became a licensed Vet Tech. I even took the training program to get on at the LA Zoo. Don't expect to be able to start out working specifically and only with reptiles. That is don't close doors on yourself.

There are always going to be those who get entertainment value out of tresspassing on the goals and dreams of others. Such opinions have no real bearing on your eventual success. You have to blow off the negativity. One person made an encouraging comment to me regarding my potential to work with animals and right after that I got myself in a college program that would get me to my goal. You can do the same.
 
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