Question

The study of reptiles is known as
(a) Ichthyology
(b) Herpetology
(c) Serpentology
(d) None of these

Answer 1

Hint: It is unified science stems from the ancient tendency to lump together all creeping (Greek word “Herpetos”) animals where amateurs have made many valuable contributions in such areas as distribution, behavior, and even taxonomy.

Complete answer:
The branch of zoology that is specifically concerned with the study of amphibians (including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians (Gymnophiona) ) and reptiles (including snakes, lizards, amphisbaenids, turtles, terrapins, tortoises, crocodilians, and the tuataras) is known as Herpetology. Thus, the study of ectothermic (cold-blooded) tetrapods can be called as herpetology more precisely, under which "herps" (or sometimes "herptiles" or "herpetofauna") exclude fish, but it is not uncommon to see teaming up between herpetological and ichthyological scientific societies and publishing joint journals and holding conferences to foster the exchange of ideas between the fields, as the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists does. It has been seen that many herpetological societies are formed to promote interest in reptiles and amphibians, both captive and wild.
So, the correct answer is, ‘Herpetology’.

Additional information:
1) The herpetological field can be divided into the following areas which deal with particular taxonomic groups such as frogs (batrachology) , snakes (ophiology or ophidiology) , lizards (saurology) or turtles (cheloniology, chelonology or testudinology) .
2) Approximately 10,000 specimens all around the world are found of amphibians and reptiles and are included in the Herpetology Collection.
3) During wildlife studies, almost 4,500 specimens are amphibians obtained from Western Washington from the 1950s to the early 2000s. The collections made by William Hebard, a zoology professor was found to be over 800 of the 1200 garter snake specimens in the mid-1900s.

Note: In the study of the role of amphibians and reptiles in global ecology, herpetology offers benefits to humanity, especially because it is seen that amphibians are often very sensitive to environmental changes showing a visible warning to humans. In human medicine, some toxins and venoms produced by reptiles and amphibians are useful. In some current studies, some snake venom has been used to create anticoagulants that work to treat strokes and heart attacks.