Herpetology and Me.

Herpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians (including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, andgymnophionae) and reptiles (including snakes, lizards, amphisbaenids, turtles, terrapins, tortoises, crocodilians, and the tuataras).

Herpetology is concerned with poikilothermic, ectothermic tetrapods. "Herps" (or sometimes "herptiles" or "herpetofauna") exclude fish.

Many herpetological societies exist today, having been formed to promote interest in reptiles and amphibians both captive and wild.

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

The word "herpetology" is from Greek: ἑρπήτόν, herpeton, "creeping animal" and -λογία, -logia. People with an avid interest in herpetology and who keep different reptiles or amphibians often refer to themselves as "herpers".

                                                        
Read:

• Kraig Adler (1989) Contributions to the History of Herpetology, Society for the study of amphibians and reptiles.

External Links:

• Field Herpetology Guide
• American Society of Icthyologists and Herpetologists
• Herpetological Conservation and Biology [1]
• Societas Europaea Herpetologica
   Distribution Maps for European Reptiles and Amphibians
• Center for North American Herpetology
   over 500 species of reptiles and amphibians
• European Field Herping Community
• New Zealand Herpetology
• http://www.herplit.com/herplit/
   (Welcome to Bibliomania!)

Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpetology