What do they mean by this?

I've watched a few discovery channel specials and every once in a while they will have some one on there who is considered a cat expert or a crocodile expert or an expert of some animal. I'm wondering what you would have to do to be considered an expert on an animal. Do you just have to know a lot about the animal? Anyone know anything about this?

Haven't a clue, but I know what you mean. There are quite a few people on TCS that seem to be more expert on cat behavior than many touted "cat behavior experts" !

Laurie

Exactly. I guess "expert" doesn't mean what it used to.

Well, with reptiles it likely means they're a zoologist - a herpetologist to be exact. I suspect it would be the same for any other wild species. If they're on tv you can very likely look them up, find the university they're with or went to, etc. It may even say this during the introduction or when they show the person as most documentaries do.

For domestic species it may mean they have a lower degree in animal science and took courses for animal behavior.

If they're in pest control (ie - those moving crocs out of certain areas), it just means they're really familiar with that animal.