why are reptiles and amph called Herp?

**chunkychun** · 10-19-2012, 02:07 PM

First thought was herpes and I was very confused.....

nevermind, i guess i should of google first then post...

**Soothing Shrimp** · 10-19-2012, 03:09 PM

herpetology is the branch of zoology dealing with reptiles and amphibians.

FORREST3320 · 10-19-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soothing Shrimp

herpetology is the branch of zoology dealing with reptiles and amphibians.

That is my "FUN FACT OF THE DAY"

Acro · 10-19-2012, 06:52 PM

Sometimes they are refered to as "herptiles".
Rarely they are refered to as "herpetofauna", but that word is out there.
Most just refer to the group as "herps".
"herpes" is something you don't want, even if you are the most dedicated keeper.

.

**chunkychun** · 10-19-2012, 07:19 PM

I learn something new everyday on this forum! Thanks

lochaber · 10-19-2012, 09:00 PM

Was on a field trip with a herpetologist a few years back, and he said it came from some greek word that more or less meant 'creepy-crawlies'.

@marko@ · 10-20-2012, 03:20 PM

herpeton is greek for "creeping animal"
originally, reptiles and amphibians were grouped together taxonomically in the same clase, herpetile.
from herpetile, we derived the shortened term herp.

HybridHerp · 10-26-2012, 06:22 PM

To add, herpetoculture is the technical term for the keeping of reptiles in captivity, but some often mistakenly call it herpeculture.

zankotsu · 10-30-2012, 04:42 AM

love some etymology.

Sethjohnson30 · 10-30-2012, 05:05 AM

Nice op, I was wondering the same thing.

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Ihs · 11-02-2012, 02:54 PM

'A' to marco n hybrid for their knowledge in Greek language.. :P
Even though that 'H' in herpeton confused me a bit..then again a greek word written in latin characters doesnt make much sense either way..

TheDrake · 12-29-2012, 02:33 PM

herpetology is an odd scientific discipline. reptiles and amphibians are not each other's closest relatives, although they do have a fair number of biological similarities. but it's like creating a new discipline for bats and birds simply because most of them fly. funny really. I think amphibians have about as much in common with fish, especially when it comes to husbandry, particularly water quality and filtration. there is a group of scientists called the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) that share an interest in all these beasts.

10-19-2012, 02:07 PM	#1
chunkychun Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: fl Posts: 226	why are reptiles and amph called Herp? First thought was herpes and I was very confused..... nevermind, i guess i should of google first then post...

10-19-2012, 03:09 PM	#2
Soothing Shrimp Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (74/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,523	herpetology is the branch of zoology dealing with reptiles and amphibians. __________________ DBP Club! My thinking has been invert-ed!

10-20-2012, 03:20 PM	#7
@marko@ Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (37/100%) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: livingston, nj Posts: 5,433	herpeton is greek for "creeping animal" originally, reptiles and amphibians were grouped together taxonomically in the same clase, herpetile. from herpetile, we derived the shortened term herp. __________________ My Tanks: ADA 30C - College 20 Gallon - 5 gallon Betta Barracks - 10 gallon Betta Sorority - Emmersed Tub Eheim Pimp #296 Canon Pimp #67

10-26-2012, 06:22 PM	#8
HybridHerp Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: New York Posts: 1,900	To add, herpetoculture is the technical term for the keeping of reptiles in captivity, but some often mistakenly call it herpeculture. __________________ My 75 gallon hi-tech idkwattocallit Tank (Post Sandy): http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...94#post2086394 My 10 gallon low tech Tank (Post Sandy): http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...82#post2086382 My 5.5 gallon nano College Dorm Tank: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...94#post2114094

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10-19-2012, 06:52 PM	#4
Acro Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 254	Sometimes they are refered to as "herptiles". Rarely they are refered to as "herpetofauna", but that word is out there. Most just refer to the group as "herps". "herpes" is something you don't want, even if you are the most dedicated keeper. .

10-19-2012, 07:19 PM	#5
chunkychun Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: fl Posts: 226	I learn something new everyday on this forum! Thanks

10-19-2012, 09:00 PM	#6
lochaber Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 737	Was on a field trip with a herpetologist a few years back, and he said it came from some greek word that more or less meant 'creepy-crawlies'.

10-30-2012, 04:42 AM	#9
zankotsu Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 98	love some etymology.

10-30-2012, 05:05 AM	#10
Sethjohnson30 Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Portland oregon Posts: 1,078	Nice op, I was wondering the same thing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11-02-2012, 02:54 PM	#11
Ihs Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Cy Posts: 27	'A' to marco n hybrid for their knowledge in Greek language.. :P Even though that 'H' in herpeton confused me a bit..then again a greek word written in latin characters doesnt make much sense either way..

12-29-2012, 02:33 PM	#12
TheDrake Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Auburn, NY Posts: 131	herpetology is an odd scientific discipline. reptiles and amphibians are not each other's closest relatives, although they do have a fair number of biological similarities. but it's like creating a new discipline for bats and birds simply because most of them fly. funny really. I think amphibians have about as much in common with fish, especially when it comes to husbandry, particularly water quality and filtration. there is a group of scientists called the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) that share an interest in all these beasts.