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herpetologist

herpetologist

4 9.9
A scientist who studies animals like snakes and frogs
  • noun
  • /ˌhɜr.pəˈtɑl.ə.dʒɪst/
  • Specialized
: herpetólogo
  • Walter Auffenberg, a herpetologist formerly at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, demonstrated that Komodo monitors can detect carrion from nearly seven miles away.
  • a professional herpetologist

Examples

  • Dr. Emmett is one of the world's leading herpetologists.

  • Currently, says Mendelson, most herpetologists working in Latin America have no way to get their field samples analyzed.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Also, a professional herpetologist visited classes during the project and offered constructive criticism regarding our procedures.

    Academic text (1992)
  • This is what the herpetologists are trying to tell us.

    Academic text (2007)
  • If you are a herpetologist with a new book, let me know and I will add your cover to my sidebar.

    Blog text (21)
  • A friend of mine, about thirty-five years ago, was a herpetologist and worked at the zoo.

    Blog text (9)
  • You're the country's leading herpetologist.

  • In parts of Panama, Southern Illinois University herpetologist Karen Lips has witnessed the disappearances firsthand.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Professor, herpetologist, author, and probably the leading authority here in the Midwest on reptile and amphibian life, as well as a native of our own city.

  • Dr. Emmett is one of the world's leading herpetologists specializing in the study of reptiles.

Synonyms

zoologist
vsherpetologist
  • Specialized
11 6.1

A person who studies animals and how they live

is narrower, focusing only on reptiles and amphibians

Surface Forms

herpetologist singular

Morphology

herpetologist = herpetology (semi-transparent) = herpeto + logy + ist

The word is formed by adding the productive agent suffix '-ist' to the specialized base 'herpetology', but the base is technical and may not be familiar to many learners.

Etymology

The word herpetologist comes from the Greek word herpeton, meaning 'creeping thing', which links to the English word 'creep'. The ending -ologist means 'one who studies', as in biologist, so a herpetologist is someone who studies reptiles and amphibians.