herpetologist
UK: /ˌhɜː.pɪˈtɒl.ə.dʒɪst/ | US: /ˌhɜː.pɪˈtɑː.lə.dʒɪst/
n. a scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians
The word "herpetologist" combines the Greek root "herpeto-" (from "herpeton," meaning "creeping animal" or "reptile") with the suffix "-logist" (from "-logos," meaning "study" or "science"). The term reflects the scientific study of reptiles and amphibians, which were historically grouped due to their shared characteristics (e.g., cold-bloodedness). The "-logist" suffix is common in professions denoting expertise in a field (e.g., biologist, geologist).
The herpetologist carefully observed the behavior of the rare snake species.
As a herpetologist, she specializes in the conservation of endangered amphibians.
The museum invited a herpetologist to lecture on lizard evolution.
His dream of becoming a herpetologist began when he kept turtles as a child.
The herpetologist discovered a new species of frog in the Amazon rainforest.