Reptile and Amphibian Study Merit Badge

1. Ten species described, and four of them observed by you Often forgotten Requirement

Six reptiles and four amphibians found in the United States. For any four, sketches from YOUR OWN observations or photographs you took, showing markings, colour patterns or other identifying features. Then the habits and habitats of all ten. The four is field work.

FOUR OF THESE TEN SPECIES HAVE TO BE OBSERVED BY YOU. The requirement asks for sketches from your own observations, or photographs you took, showing markings and colour patterns. Ten species described sounds like reading; four species found and looked at properly is field work, and it is requirement 1.

2. How many species there are, and where, plus a local list Requirement

The approximate number of species and their general geographic distribution in the United States, discussed with your counselor. Then a list of the most common species in your own area or state, which is the list requirement 9(b) will be drawn from.

3. Four pairs told apart Requirement

The main differences between four pairs that people routinely confuse. Two of the four are about animals most readers will never see in the wild.

4. Why they matter, four protected species, six unprotected, and what all ten eat Often forgotten Requirement

Explain their part in the natural environment. List four species protected by federal or state law and why each is protected, then three reptiles and three amphibians in your area that are not. Discuss the food habits of all ten. The protected four are the ones the standing note tells you not to collect.

5. How reptiles reproduce, compared with amphibians Requirement

A comparison rather than two descriptions. If you take the egg route inside requirement 8(a), this is the requirement that tells you what you are waiting for.

6. How a snake moves forward, from observation Often forgotten Requirement

FROM OBSERVATION, so a snake has to be in front of you, in a tank or a zoo if not in the field. Then the functions of the muscles, ribs and belly plates. The requirements page links two free videos for this one.

7. Six venomous snakes and the one venomous lizard Often forgotten Requirement

Described in detail, with their habits and geographic range, and what to do in case of a bite. Read next to the standing note this is not trivia. It is the list of animals requirement 8(a) forbids you to use.

This is the safety requirement on a badge that does not have one. Six venomous snakes and the one venomous lizard in the United States, in detail, with their range, their habits and what to do about a bite, and the standing note above the requirements forbids using any of them for requirement 8(a). Doing this requirement before requirement 8 is how you know what the prohibition is about.

8. A month in your custody, or three months of visits. Do ONE Often forgotten Requirement

The badge states the choice. One month against three is the obvious comparison and the misleading one: the short route is the one where a living animal becomes your responsibility and has to have somewhere to go at the end.

A MONTH AGAINST THREE MONTHS IS THE OBVIOUS COMPARISON AND THE WRONG ONE. 8(a) is a third of the elapsed time and far more than three times the responsibility: a living animal in your care, records kept throughout, and (unless you are its long-term owner) another responsible party approved by your counselor to take it at the end. That home has to exist BEFORE you take the animal on. 8(b) has nothing to rehome, but it needs a zoo, aquarium, nature centre, rescue or classroom that will have you back WEEKLY FOR THREE MONTHS, which is twelve or thirteen visits. Ask them before you choose the route, not after.

9. Do TWO of three: voices at night, eight by sight, or a talk Often forgotten Requirement

The badge asks for two, not one. They are unalike: one is seasonal and nocturnal, one is mostly already done if requirement 1 was done properly, and one needs an audience.

This one asks for TWO, not one. 9(a) is at night and depends on the breeding season, so it may not be available when you want it. 9(c) needs a small group and a date. 9(b) is the one you may already be most of the way through, because requirement 1 had you observe four species yourself and requirement 2 gave you the local list.

10. Five superstitions corrected, and seven true oddities Requirement

Five false beliefs about reptiles and amphibians with a correct explanation for each, then seven examples of unusual behaviour or other true facts. Twelve items in one sentence.

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 10. Five superstitions corrected, and seven true oddities.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.