Working within nature reserves, zoos, or conservation charities, they carry out fieldwork, write reports, and help protect endangered species. They also study how environmental changes affect these animals and advise on habitat management.

Starting salaries in research or conservation range from £20,000 to £25,000 a year. With experience, this can rise to between £30,000 and £40,000, while senior researchers, lecturers, or consultants can earn well over £45,000.

To become a herpetologist, most people study biology, zoology, or ecology at university. Many complete a master’s degree or PhD to work in research or academia.

The Herpetologist careers resource can be found here. To find out more about MyPath careers, click here.