What is an amature zoologist called?

[orbit]

Hi all, just wondering what somebody studying zoology, not as a profession, but rather for personal interest, is called? I guess the same question could be asked for botany too, and indeed other areas of biology. The term naturalist seems to have been used in the past but this seems to be outdated now. Is it as simple as say amateur zoologist etc?

[kotoreru]

I dont think there are any specific terms for this sort of thing, but 'amateur zoologist/botanist' is quite nice.

[Darby]

Some people like "naturalist." It's what the original biologists are often called.

[khenwood]

orbit -

On a side note, I find it very interesting that there is a whole forum dedicated to crickets.
Wasn't there another thread a few months ago involving this? Well she had a cricket experiment & wanted ideas.

Ok, I'm done rambling.

K

[david23]

u are a student like everyone else

[MrMistery]

I have heard the term "armchair scientist" for someone that does something but doesn't actually have a degree, rather only free time and a lot of pasion

[Poison]

armchair scientist... Sounds nice.

[greeneye55582]

what does armchair scientist entail? sitting in an armchair and reading/surfing the net about science? sounds fun to me..

[AstusAleator]

In response to original topic:

NOOBOLOGIST