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Stuff Every Herpetology Scout Should Know: the Study Guide

Practice facts for the Reptile and Amphibian Study merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.

Knowing Herpetology Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.

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Chapter 1: Weather and Water

What does batrachology study?

Short answer: Frogs and other amphibians

Batrachology is the herpetology subfield dealing with frogs and other amphibians.

Groan of the day: Batrachology students are always hopping to class.

Sources: Herpetology

What does ophiology study?

Short answer: Snakes

Ophiology is the subfield of herpetology that deals with snakes.

Groan of the day: Ophiology is a subject you can really sink your fangs into.

Sources: Herpetology

What does cheloniology study?

Short answer: Turtles

Cheloniology is the herpetology subfield focused on turtles.

Groan of the day: Cheloniology students take things slowly but surely.

Sources: Herpetology

Why do herpetologists watch amphibians closely?

Short answer: Amphibians are very sensitive to environmental changes

Their sensitivity lets herpetologists record visible warnings of major climate changes.

Groan of the day: Amphibians make great weather reporters because they are always in the swim of things.

Sources: Herpetology

What is herpetoculture?

Short answer: Captive care and breeding of reptiles and amphibians

Herpetoculture refers to keeping and breeding reptiles and amphibians in captivity.

Groan of the day: Herpetoculture is a culture that really scales up.

Sources: Herpetology

Where are a pit viper's pits located?

Short answer: Between the nostrils and eyes

The infrared pits sit on either side of the head between nostrils and eyes.

Groan of the day: Those pits are right in the middle of things.

Sources: Snake

What is the main job of a snake's forked tongue?

Short answer: Collecting scent particles for analysis

The tongue gathers scent particles and carries them to the Jacobson's organ in the mouth for analysis.

Groan of the day: That tongue really has a nose for news.

Sources: Snake

What does the Jacobson's organ do for a snake?

Short answer: Analyzes scent particles brought by the tongue

The Jacobson's organ receives scent particles from the tongue and performs a combined taste-smell analysis.

Groan of the day: That organ really sniffs out the details.

Sources: Snake

Why is a snake's forked tongue shaped that way?

Short answer: It gives directional information about smells

The forked shape provides directional information about smells, helping the snake locate prey or predators.

Groan of the day: Two tips means twice the scent-sense.

Sources: Snake

Which snake is the smallest living species?

Short answer: Barbados threadsnake

The Barbados threadsnake, Leptotyphlops carlae, is the smallest living snake at about 10.4 centimeters.

Groan of the day: That threadsnake is a tiny string of a snake.

Sources: Snake

What is the main purpose of snake venom?

Short answer: To paralyze and kill prey

Venomous snakes use venom primarily to paralyze and kill prey rather than for self-defense.

Groan of the day: That venom really delivers a point.

Sources: Snake

Why are captive snakes usually fed dead prey?

Short answer: Live rodents may fight and injure the snake

Live rodents can fight back and injure snakes during feeding, so captive snakes are typically fed dead prey.

Groan of the day: Dead prey means no food fight.

Sources: Snake

How does a snake usually shed its skin?

Short answer: In one piece, like a sock turned inside out

Snakes shed the complete outer layer of skin in one piece, similar to a sock being turned inside out.

Groan of the day: That is a total peel-out.

Sources: Snake

The cheat sheet

The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.

  • 'Herp' is a vernacular term for non-avian reptiles and amphibians.
  • The source states there are over 6700 species of amphibians.
  • The source states there are over 9000 species of reptiles.
  • Batrachology is the herpetology subfield dealing with frogs and other amphibians.
  • Ophiology is the subfield of herpetology that deals with snakes.
  • Cheloniology is the herpetology subfield focused on turtles.
  • The Greek root herpeton means creeping animal, which gave us herpetology.
  • Some snake venom has been used to create anti-coagulants that treat strokes and heart attacks.
  • Birds are cladistically included within Reptilia but are traditionally excluded from herpetology.
  • Herpetofauna is another name for herps, the reptiles and amphibians of a region.
  • Ornithology is the separate scientific study of birds.
  • Contemporary Herpetology was founded in 1997 and stopped publishing in 2009.

Pop quiz

Think of your answer first, then peek.

  1. What does the term 'herp' commonly mean?
    • A non-avian reptile or amphibian
    • A type of bird
    • A kind of fish
    Show the answer

    A non-avian reptile or amphibian. 'Herp' is a vernacular term for non-avian reptiles and amphibians.

  2. What is the study of birds called?
    • Ichthyology
    • Ornithology
    • Herpetology
    Show the answer

    Ornithology. Ornithology is the separate scientific study of birds.

  3. What do amateur herpetologists often call themselves?
    • Scalers
    • Croakers
    • Herpers
    Show the answer

    Herpers. Many amateur herpetologists call themselves herpers.

  4. What are a snake's transparent eyelids called?
    • Brille
    • Fangs
    • Scutes
    Show the answer

    Brille. Snake eyelids are transparent spectacle scales known as brille.

  5. What is the largest living snake by length?
    • King cobra
    • Reticulated python
    • Green anaconda
    Show the answer

    Reticulated python. The reticulated python is the largest living snake, reaching about 6.95 meters long.

Now make it stick

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