| Careers in Herpetoculture | |
Herpetoculture is the art of maintaining amphibians, turtles, reptiles and crocodilians in captivity in order to breed them for pleasure, exhibition, trading or sale, and is a subset of the time-honored field of husbandry. Individuals that aspire to be herpetoculturists should understand the kinds of jobs that are available. Throughout the world, there are two major areas of employment, as follows:
1. Curator or keeper at a Zoological Park. Generally, Zoo Curators and Keepers require at least a Bachelor's Degree, and many Zoo Curator positions can now be had only with a Master's Degree. Routine duties are oriented to feeding live amphibians, turtles, reptiles, and crocodilians and cleaning their cages, but can range from exhibit construction to preparation of graphics to public relations. Some important observations about the captive behavior of amphibians, turtles, reptiles, and crocodilians are published by curators and keepers at zoos in large metropolitan areas, but most zoo positions have little time to spare for research.
2. Private initiatives in herpetoculture while employed full-time in an unrelated field. Most herpetoculturists fall into this category. They earn a living in some other field, preferably one that allows them as much free time as possible to pursue their interest in amphibians, turtles, reptiles, and crocodilians, which is generally the husbandry and sale of domesticated versions of these creatures.
Herpetoculturists interested in augmenting their income often develop a number of skills to a professional level that permits them to charge a fee for services or products such as photography, presenting public lectures, writing books and articles (for royalties or direct fees), and conducting wildlife tours. |