Question

Herpetology is the study of
A) Reptiles and Amphibians
B) Snakes
C) Helminths
D) Mammals

Answer 1

Herpetology is a branch of zoology dedicated to the study of two different classes of organisms but does not involve the study of birds.

Complete answer:
Let us look at each option one by one.

The study of reptiles and amphibians is a branch of zoology called Herpetology. Therefore, this is the correct option.
Snakes belong to the family of reptiles and are studied as part of Herpetology but there is a specialized term dedicated to the study of just snakes and is called Serpentology. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
The study of helminths (parasitic worms) is known as Helminthology. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
The branch of zoology dedicated to the study of mammals is called Mammalogy. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Thus, the correct answer to this question is option (A) Reptiles and Amphibians.

Note: Although reptiles and amphibians have similarities, they belong to very different classes of the phylogenetic tree. Reptiles are known to have common ancestors with birds but birds are studied under a specialized field of study called Ornithology. Also, the field of study dedicated to the study of only amphibians is known as Batrachology and the field dedicated to the study of snakes is called Serpentology (or Ophiology).