Online Herpetology Course

Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians. The term is derived from Linneas’s classification in which he combined reptiles and amphibians into the one category. Herpetology examines the biology and ecology of these animals and their importance at a global scale. Herpetology as a scientific study and as a hobby can have positive impacts on the conservation of threatened reptile and amphibian species.

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Herpetology
   • Herpetology Defined
   • Introduction to Reptiles
   • Animal Taxonomy
   • Classification of Reptiles
   • Characteristics of Reptiles
   • Testudine Characteristics (Turtles)
   • Squamata Characteristics (Snakes and Lizards)
   • Rhynchocephalia Characteristics (Tuatara)
   • Classification of Amphibians
   • Amphibian Characteristics
   • Building Resources and Developing Networks
   • Terminology
2. Class Reptilia (Reptiles)
   • Reptile Classification
   • Water Conservation
   • Reproduction
   • Order Chelonia (Testudines); Turtles
   • Order Crocodilia; Crocodilians
   • Order Squamata
   • Scaled Reptiles; Lizards (Suborder Sauria) and Snakes (Suborder Serpentes)
3. Reptile Biology
   • Reptile Anatomy
   • Skeleton
   • Scales and Skutes
   • Ectothermal Regulation
   • Coloration
   • Respiration and Metabolism
   • Food and Digestion
   • Senses
   • Locomotion
4. Class Amphibia (Amphibians)
   • Order Anura (Frogs and Toads)
   • Order Apoda (Caecilians)
   • Order Urodela (Salamanders and Newts)
5. Amphibian Biology
   • Amphibian Skeleton
   • Skin
   • Ectothermal Regulation
   • Colouration
   • Respiration and Metabolism
   • Branchial
   • Buccopharyngeal
   • Cutaneous
   • Pulmonic
   • Food and Digestion
   • Senses
   • Locomotion
   • Reproduction
6. Ecology of Reptiles
   • Species Richness
   • Constriction
   • Injected Venom
   • Inertia Feeding
   • Biting and Grasping
   • Suction Feeding
   • Reproductive Strategies
   • Viviparity
   • Oviparity
   • Nest Building
   • Habitat Use: Aquatic and Terrestrial
   • Basking
   • Hibernation
7. Ecology of Amphibians
   • Use of Habitat
   • Temperature Relationships
   • Feeding
   • Vocal Communication: Advertisement calls, Territorial calls, Release calls, Distress calls
   • Social Behaviour
   • Dealing with Predators
   • Reproduction and Parental Care
8. Conservation Issues
   • Habitat Change
   • Edge Effects
   • Pollution; especially Water Pollution
   • Environmental Acidification (Acid Rain)
   • Pesticides
   • Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
   • Spread of Disease
   • Invasive Species
   • Climate Change
   • Spread of Disease
   • Disease in Wild Populations
   • Trade in Reptiles and Amphibians
   • Conservation
   • Conservation Genetics
   • Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
9. Keeping Reptiles and Amphibians
   • Introduction
   • Legal Issues
   • Special Conditions for Amphibians
   • Special Conditions for Reptiles
   • Preventing Spread of Disease from Reptiles to Humans
   • Housing
   • Reptile Captivity Problems
   • Reptile Feed and Feeding
   • Amphibians and Reptile Species that are in Captivity
   • Feeding Amphibians
   • General Care
   • Common Ailments in Reptiles and Amphibians
   • Parasitic Diseases
   • Fungal Diseases
   • Viral Diseases
   • Metabolic Bone Disease
   • Thiamine Deficiency

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims:

• Discuss the nature and scope of reptiles.
• Identify credible resources, and begin to develop networking with organisations and individuals involved with the study of reptiles around the world.
• Describe a range of different reptile species, including distinguishing characteristics, their needs (eg. environmental, food, etc) and behaviour.
• Identify and explain the anatomy and physiology of reptiles.
• Discuss the nature and scope of amphibians.
• Identify credible resources, and begin to develop networking with organisations and individuals involved with the study of amphibians around the world.
• Describe the ecological requirements, reproduction and lifecycles of amphibians.
• Describe the behaviour of a range of different amphibian species.
• Explain conservation issues that are impacting upon populations of reptiles and amphibians.
• Explain the management of reptiles and amphibians in captivity

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