The scientific pursuit of knowledge, often perceived as precise and certain, can frequently be a domain of fierce disputes and shifting boundaries. This is particularly true in taxonomy, the field dedicated to naming and classifying organisms. A new book, "Snake Men" by Zach St. George, explores the often-contentious world of herpetologists, the scientists who specialize in reptiles and amphibians, and the battles they engage in over nomenclature.
These scientists, driven by a passion for their subjects, can become embroiled in long-running feuds, primarily over the correct names for different species. The book highlights how the quest for scientific discovery can lead to doubt about existing knowledge and redraws established boundaries. Questions like how to define the distinction between one species and the next, or how different a creature must be from its relatives to be considered a separate species, often spark intense debate.
Taxonomists are broadly categorized as 'lumpers,' who tend to group similar organisms into fewer species, and 'splitters,' who are more inclined to identify and name new species. The ideological differences between these two groups can escalate into significant animosity. In the 1980s, for example, the work of Richard Wells and Ross Wellington, identified as 'splitters,' provoked a strong backlash from the Australian Society of Herpetologists. This society called for their published names to be officially rejected, warning of "devastating" effects on Australian herpetology if their papers were not suppressed.
The practice of naming species is not always a solemn affair. The freedom to assign names can lead to humorous or even eccentric choices. For instance, some flies have been named after pop culture figures, such as Carmenelectra shehuggme and Carmenelectra shechisme. Other names, inspired by the beginning of the alphabet, include orchids named Aa and beetles named Aaata and Aaaaba.
Despite the intellectual battles, many of these scientists demonstrate deep respect and care for the animals they study. Raymond Hoser, for example, is known to exhibit snakes at children's parties, confident in the low risk of snakebites when the animals are not provoked.
In the United States, fatalities from snakebites are often linked to a combination of factors described as the 'four Ts': tattoos, trucks, tequila, and testosterone. Meanwhile, the 'snake men' themselves can be showmen. The book recounts an anecdote about Eric Worrell, a prominent herpetologist in the 1950s, who famously continued to extract venom from a snake that had been accidentally killed before a television appearance, managing to convince the audience it was alive.
"Snake Men" offers a glimpse into the personalities and rivalries within a specialized scientific community, revealing that the human drama behind the classification of snakes can be as fascinating as the creatures themselves. The book is now available.