Why does the invertebrate and reptile community use latin names?

[vessz]

At first, remembering all of the hard-to-pronounce latin names was really difficult. But now it's the complete opposite! I still don't know WHY I use them when almost all of my current inverts and reptiles have common names.
In my experience, other communities rarely use Latin names; such as fish and plant enthusiasts even though a lot of species don't have common names
Why do you use latin names?
1. There are many subspecies that don't have common names.
2. Everyone else does
3. Other (please elaborate)
4. I don't

 

[KezyGLA]

In some cases the common name could be used for multiple species.

 

[nicodimus22]

Because common names overlap and fail to distinguish one species from another. There are like 93 species that go by the common name birdeater. They are useless, except for pet stores that want to use an exciting name to sell more Ts.

Also, it creates hybrid Ts because people don't know exactly what species they have, but they breed anyway.

 

[Tia B]

Scientific names are logical. You know which species are related to which and there's no confusion as to what species you're referring to.

I honestly don't see why more hobbies don't use them.

 

[spookyvibes]

Latin names much easier to remember instead of trying to remember 3, 4, maybe 5 different common names for one tarantula.

 

[Mychajlo]

And also with some species that are more “hot” bite wise, it’s better and more useful to know the Latin/scientific name, for instance if there was a invert keeper that had a Phoneutria Fera and somehow got bit, it would be better to tell the medical specialist the scientific name so they can more appropriately treat the bite, there are so many benefits of using the Latin name rather than the common name. Along with the other reasons previously stated

 

[basin79]

I've typed this before but once upon a time I thought those using the scientific names where showing off.

But when you read "black birdeater", or "Mexican red" etcetera it makes sense to use the exact name. That way there's absolutely no confusion.

Plus on a more serious note knowing exactly what a tarantula is will stop accidental hybridisation of some species.

 

[Pythonipus]

For venomous snake handlers it is very important to be able to accurately tell what snake bit you. Just saying "rattlesnake" will narrow it down, but one species' antivenin may do more harm than good if you were bit by another species. Using the proper Latin name gets rid of the ambiguity and ensures you get the proper antivenin.

 

[Andrea82]

Because well... it's their name.

 

[chanda]

I use both. When I am talking to someone within the tarantula, insect, or other invertebrate communities that knows the scientific names, I prefer to use those. That helps to minimize confusion. The same common name can be used for multiple different species - and can even be something the pet shop or importer made up because it sounded cool and was at least semi-descriptive. For example, the term "daddy long-legs" is commonly used to refer to Pholcid spiders, Opiliones (which are arachnids but not spiders) and even Tipulidae (Crane flies) which are insects. Using the scientific name, on the other hand, makes it clear exactly which species I am referring to. (Granted, there is still some confusion with scientific names, due to issues like when a given species has multiple, synonymous names or a species has been moved to another genus or family, or otherwise renamed. I'm thinking of you, Caribena versicolor!)

When I'm talking to someone who does not know the scientific names - like when I'm giving presentations to kids or identifying a bug for someone on Reddit, I will also use the common name because that is more readily identifiable. For example, if I'm telling someone that the mystery bug in his house is Blattella germanica he may still be confused as to what he's got, but if I tell him it's a German cockroach, he knows immediately what I mean. (I frequently include the scientific name as well.)

When I'm teaching kids about bugs and spiders, I have both the common and scientific names printed on all cage and specimen labels and use both interchangeably when talking to the kids. I make a point of explaining to the kids the value of the scientific names, both for the sake of clarity and because the binomial name provides the added information of which species are closely related to one another and likely to have more traits in common.

 

[Tia B]

I use both. When I am talking to someone within the tarantula, insect, or other invertebrate communities that knows the scientific names, I prefer to use those. That helps to minimize confusion. The same common name can be used for multiple different species - and can even be something the pet shop or importer made up because it sounded cool and was at least semi-descriptive. For example, the term "daddy long-legs" is commonly used to refer to Pholcid spiders, Opiliones (which are arachnids but not spiders) and even Tipulidae (Crane flies) which are insects. Using the scientific name, on the other hand, makes it clear exactly which species I am referring to. (Granted, there is still some confustion with scientific names, due to issues like when a given species has multiple, synonymous names or a species has been moved to another genus or family, or otherwise renamed. I'm thinking of you, Caribena versicolor!)

When I'm talking to someone who does not know the scientific names - like when I'm giving presentations to kids or identifying a bug for someone on Reddit, I will also use the common name because that is more readily identifiable. For example, if I'm telling someone that the mystery bug in his house is Blattella germanica he may still be confused as to what he's got, but if I tell him it's a German cockroach, he knows immediately what I mean. (I frequently include the scientific name as well.)

When I'm teaching kids about bugs and spiders, I have both the common and scientific names printed on all cage and specimen labels and use use both interchangeably when talking to the kids. I make a point of explaining to the kids the value of the scientific names, both for the sake of clarity and because the binomial name provides the added information of which species are closely related to one another and likely to have more traits in common.

Yeah, I understand that. If I'm talking about my spiders to someone who is not in the hobby, I generally try to use common names because otherwise I get blank stares. Telling my family members that my Venezuelan Suntiger molted gets my message across, telling them my Psalmopoeus irminia molted does not.

I still prefer the scientific names. They are definitely of use for knowing exactly what you have and what you want. For example, years back when I got my first T at an expo, I wanted a Brazilian White Knee, aka Acanthoscurria geniculata. The seller I got mine from also had Nhandu chromatus, which has a similar common name, the Brazilian Red and White. Had I not known the scientific name when the seller asked, I likely would not have gotten my desired tarantula.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

I've typed this before but once upon a time I thought those using the scientific names where showing off.

I'm pretty sure that some people not in the hobby believe that. And really, I find nothing wrong with them believing that. When I use Latin names when speaking to such people, I sometimes feel like I am showing off.

 

[basin79]

I use both. When I am talking to someone within the tarantula, insect, or other invertebrate communities that knows the scientific names, I prefer to use those. That helps to minimize confusion. The same common name can be used for multiple different species - and can even be something the pet shop or importer made up because it sounded cool and was at least semi-descriptive. For example, the term "daddy long-legs" is commonly used to refer to Pholcid spiders, Opiliones (which are arachnids but not spiders) and even Tipulidae (Crane flies) which are insects. Using the scientific name, on the other hand, makes it clear exactly which species I am referring to. (Granted, there is still some confusion with scientific names, due to issues like when a given species has multiple, synonymous names or a species has been moved to another genus or family, or otherwise renamed. I'm thinking of you, Caribena versicolor!)

When I'm talking to someone who does not know the scientific names - like when I'm giving presentations to kids or identifying a bug for someone on Reddit, I will also use the common name because that is more readily identifiable. For example, if I'm telling someone that the mystery bug in his house is Blattella germanica he may still be confused as to what he's got, but if I tell him it's a German cockroach, he knows immediately what I mean. (I frequently include the scientific name as well.)

When I'm teaching kids about bugs and spiders, I have both the common and scientific names printed on all cage and specimen labels and use both interchangeably when talking to the kids. I make a point of explaining to the kids the value of the scientific names, both for the sake of clarity and because the binomial name provides the added information of which species are closely related to one another and likely to have more traits in common.

Oh definitely. I tell my dad I've bought a new tarantula I won't say Phlogiellus crassipes I say Australian whistling spider.

 

[viper69]

Not all corners of the reptile community use latin names like the T people do. There's reasons for this. Most of the reptile hobby does not use scientific names in when speaking to each other generally speaking. Where you do see it is with animals that have similar common name, like kingsnake, but there are several types, some subspecies etc.

Also, many of the animals in the herp trade are well defined and have been around for decades in captivity."No one" calls their ball python by the scientific name as an example.

Generally there are not 5 different common names for a given reptile that can fit the look of another animal, UNLIKE Ts. The common names for herps are generally pretty specific to a given animal.

 

[basin79]

Not all corners of the reptile community use latin names like the T people do. There's reasons for this. Most of the reptile hobby does not use scientific names in when speaking to each other generally speaking. Where you do see it is with animals that have similar common name, like kingsnake, but there are several types, some subspecies etc.

Also, many of the animals in the herp trade are well defined and have been around for decades in captivity."No one" calls their ball python by the scientific name as an example.

Generally there are not 5 different common names for a given reptile that can fit the look of another animal, UNLIKE Ts. The common names for herps are generally pretty specific to a given animal.

Aye. I refer to my reptiles by their common names for that reason. They can't be confused with another lizard or snake.

Tokay gecko and tri coloured hognose.

 

[viper69]

Aye. I refer to my reptiles by their common names for that reason. They can't be confused with another lizard or snake.

Tokay gecko and tri coloured hognose.

It's true. Only in very, very few instances, like hots, have I heard scientific names. Dart frogs as well. I'm not sure what the OP was referring too.

 

[basin79]

It's true. Only in very, very few instances, like hots, have I heard scientific names. Dart frogs as well. I'm not sure what the OP was referring too.

Horned frogs need it too.

Bullfrog refers to 3 as I know of too although a simple American, African and Dwarf sorts them.

 

[viper69]

Horned frogs need it too.

Bullfrog refers to 3 as I know of too although a simple American, African and Dwarf sorts them.

Yep, that was one of the other frogs I had in my mind, along with Tiger Legged Monkey frogs. But no one calls Red Eyes by their latin name hahah

The dedicated kingnsake breeders here in the USA all use scientific names alongside common names. The people I'm thinking of are titans in the hobby.

 

[Mychajlo]

Oh definitely. I tell my dad I've bought a new tarantula I won't say Phlogiellus crassipes I say Australian whistling spider.

I’m the opposite, but unintentionally, I automatically assume that EVERYONE understands the Latin name because I talk to so many people online using the scientific name and then when I see their face of confusion, I have to catch myself and use the common name lol

 

[cold blood]

I usually just use the scientific name (which isn't exactly latin)....reason being
is that most of the people I talk to don't know the common names either, so regardless they won't ever know exactly what I am talking about...I mean, fringed ornamental isn't exactly more informative than Poecilotheria ornata to someone not in the hobby.