Why Study Herpetology?

This chapter provides an overview of herpetology. Studies of amphibians and reptiles have played key roles in biological specializations as diverse as developmental biology, behaviour, ecology, and medicine. Many of these contributions are the result of unique characteristics that make a certain species of amphibian or reptile suitable for a particular technique. Herpetological studies have also contributed to advances in molecular biology and medicine. Many people are familiar with the major groups of amphibians and reptiles—salamanders, frogs and toads, turtles, crocodylians, and lizards and snakes—from visits to zoos or from televised nature programmes. The chapter then looks at the diversity of amphibians and reptiles, as well as their shared characteristics, focusing on ectothermy and endothermy. It also considers amphibians and reptiles in the context of terrestrial ecosystems.