Question

Study of snakes is called
A. Herpetology
B. Ichthyology
C. Entomology
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Laurence Monroe Klauber (1883- 1968) is credited with the most extensive study of reptiles and amphibians.

Complete answer:
The study of snakes is called Herpetology.
> Herpetology is the branch of zoology that deals with the study of reptiles (including snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, and tuataras) and amphibians like frogs, toads, salamanders, etc.
> Herpetology has a very broad aspect and can further be divided into branches dealing with particular taxonomic groups such as frogs (batrachology), snakes (ophiology or ophidiology), lizards (saurology), or turtles (cheloniology, chelonology or testudinology).
> Laurence Monroe Klauber is credited for the invention of herpetology. He was an American herpetologist and was the first curator of reptiles and amphibians at the San Diego Natural History Museum. In his research and fieldwork, Klauber is credited with identifying 53 new taxa of reptiles and amphibians.
> Ichthyology is the branch of zoology that deals with the study of fishes. There are three varieties of fishes- bony fish (Osteichthyes), cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes), and jawless fish (Agnatha).
> Entomology is the branch of zoology devoted to the study of insects like arthropods, spiders, snails, and slugs.

So, the correct answer is ‘Herpetology’.

Note:
- Ophiology is the sub-branch of herpetology that deals especially with the study of snakes worldwide.
- Ensil Ross Allen (1908-981) an American herpetologist is considered as the most famous herpetologist worldwide. He established the Reptile Institute that was used for research and education about alligators, crocodiles, and snakes.