Herpetology

Herpetology is the branch of xenozoology concerned with the study of amphibians and reptiles. Its practitioners are termed herpetologists.

Herpetology is concerned with poikilothermic, ectothermic tetrapods. Under this definition "herps" (or sometimes "herptiles" or "herpetofauna") exclude fish, but it is not uncommon for herpetological and ichthyological scientific societies to "team up", publishing joint journals and holding conferences in order to foster the exchange of ideas between the fields.

Herpetology offers benefits to Union society in the study of the role of amphibians and reptiles in ecology, especially because amphibians are often very sensitive to environmental changes, offering a visible warning that significant changes are taking place. Some toxins and venoms produced by reptiles and amphibians are useful in medicine. Some snake venoms have been used to create anti-coagulants that work to treat stroke victims and heart attack cases.

Perhaps the most prestigious institute for herpetologists is the Neugruber Zoological Institute, followed closely by the Biologics Institute of Ult.