herpetology

noun

her·​pe·​tol·​o·​gy ˌhər-pə-ˈtä-lə-jē 

: a branch of zoology dealing with reptiles and amphibians

herpetological

ˌhər-pə-tə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

herpetologist

ˌhər-pə-ˈtä-lə-jist 

noun

Examples of herpetology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a 2022 article from the Belleville News-Democrat, zoological manager of herpetology Justin Elden said Othello and Ray were friendly toward keepers and zoo guests alike, including kids. —Rhiannon Saegert, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2025

These included collection managers across disciplines, including anthropology, archaeology, botany, geology, ichthyology, entomology, herpetology and paleontology. —Bradley Wade Bishop, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025

They are currently being raised behind the scenes in the zoo's herpetology department, said the zoo. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 18 June 2024

For the herpetology team, taking good care of the animals is the goal. —Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek herpeton quadruped, reptile, from neuter of herpetos crawling, from herpein

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for herpetology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

Kids Definition

herpetology

noun

her·​pe·​tol·​o·​gy ˌhər-pə-ˈtäl-ə-jē 

: a branch of zoology dealing with reptiles and amphibians