The science that studies animals is called zoology. It constitutes a separate section in biology. The branch of zoology that deals with reptiles is called herpetology.
Herpetology and batrachology
Aristotle as the first herpetologist singled out the study of lizards, frogs, turtles, snakes into a separate science - herpetology. He combined amphibians and reptiles into one group and called them "reptiles". Over time, the concept of "reptiles" was refined: reptiles and amphibians were divided into two groups. The science of batrachology began to study amphibians.
However, scientists who study reptiles are also interested in amphibians, and vice versa. Therefore, batrachology as a separate science did not take root and is mainly considered as a subsection of herpetology. That is, the science that studies reptiles and amphibians is called herpetology.
Amphibians
Amphibians are amphibious vertebrates that have not been able to completely abandon the use of water in their lives. They can live both on land and in water, so their breathing abilities have their own characteristics: breathing is possible with the help of gills, lungs, through the skin and oral mucosacavities. Amphibians breed only in water.
Amphibians appeared a long time ago, while as a species they did not disappear, but, on the contrary, were able to adapt to new living conditions.
Distinctive features of amphibians that helped them adapt to the world around them:
- small size;
- Promiscuous eating, which makes them easy to find their own food, and this helps them avoid hunger;
- significant fecundity (thus protecting their species from extinction);
- colour, which acts as a disguise, does not allow enemies to detect amphibians;
- poisonousness of some species - the ability to protect yourself from enemies.
Reptiles
The word "reptiles" in Latin means "to crawl", "to grovel". Everything about reptiles: their appearance, lifestyle, reproduction is considered by the science that studies reptiles - herpetology.
The largest abundance and diversity of representatives of this species were achieved in the Mesozoic era (230 million years BC - 67 million years BC). Ancient reptiles can be divided into three types: living on land, in water and flying like birds.
There are four types of reptiles in the modern world:
- crocodiles;
- beakheads;
- scaly;
- turtles.
The science that studies snakes and other reptiles classifies them as higher vertebrates, along with birds and mammals.
Herpetologyas a branch of veterinary medicine
Every year more and more exotic animals appear in houses and apartments. Animals living in terrariums require special care and treatment that other pets do not have.
Observe such animals should be a specialist who understands the characteristics of the life of such animals, has good knowledge in the field of therapy, surgery, and can conduct a qualitative diagnosis of a possible disease. Thus, the veterinarian must be a herpetologist. Therefore, from the name of the science that studies reptiles, the name of the veterinarian comes from - herpetologist.
When treating reptiles or amphibians, the doctor must know everything about their behavior: how they behave in a given situation, what features exist in different periods of their life.
Terrariumistics
Gradually, the fashion for keeping exotic animals at home: reptiles or amphibians is entering people's lives. However, the passion for such animals is not a cheap pleasure. Expenses will be required both for the purchase of the desired animal, and for its arrangement in the house.
More and more terrariums in houses are trying to create as much as possible similar to a corner of wildlife, while using natural elements of terrarium decoration. A professionally designed terrarium, both aesthetically and according to the needs of the animal inside, will decorate the house and give you the opportunity to watch your exotic animal with pleasure.
Conclusion
Thus, the science that studies reptiles is called herpetology. Given scienceincludes batrachology - the study of amphibians.
Amphibians make up the smallest class among vertebrates, reptiles - twice as many. However, representatives of these classes are peculiar and cause genuine interest in the field of study and adaptability to the environment. Reptiles and amphibians are cold-blooded. At the same time, they have such differences:
- The body of amphibians is covered with moist skin, in reptiles the body is covered with scales, scutes or plates;
- Amphibians don't have claws, reptiles do;
- Amphibian eggs do not have a hard shell, reptiles have a thick hard shell;
- newborn amphibians go through the larval stage, reptiles don't;
- amphibians lay their eggs in water, reptiles on land;
- amphibians: salamanders, toads, frogs;
- reptiles - crocodiles, turtles, beakheads, amphisbaenas, snakes.
Modern herpetology, as a science that studies reptiles, continues to explore life, observe the development of reptiles and amphibians. Recently, the profession of a veterinarian-herpetologist has become more and more popular.
