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R. Marlin Perkins Award: 1989
AZA Honorary Member
Roger Conant, Sc.D.
Roger Conant, Sc.D.
AZA President 1946-1947
Philadelphia Zoo
Roger was born in Mamaroneck, New York, on May 6, 1909. After two years studying biology at the University of Pennsylvania, the depression of the late 1920s ended his academic studies. He has an honorary Sc.D. from the University of Colorado (1971).
He was Curator of Reptiles at Toledo Zoological Gardens (1929-1933); General Curator, Toledo Zoological Gardens (1933-1935); Curator of Reptiles, Philadelphia Zoological Garden (1935-1973); Director, Philadelphia Zoological Garden (1967-1973); Director and Curator of Reptiles Emeritus, Philadelphia Zoological Garden (1973-present); Research Associate, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (1938-1970s); Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico (1973-present); Research Associate, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico (1973-present); and Research Associate, American Museum of Natural History (1948-present).
Roger conducted extensive fieldwork on reptiles and amphibians throughout the world during his career. He has described 19 new taxa, mostly snakes, and has had 7 taxa named in his honor. Roger has been an author of over 250 papers and 12 books, including the Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. He has also been a member of many natural history associations and has been the recipient of numerous awards for his contribution to herpetology and conservation, including AZA’s highest honor, the R. Marlin Perkins Award (1989). A plaque in the Philadelphia Zoo Reptile House designates the natural habitat exhibits throughout the building as the "Roger Conant Exhibits."
As a member of AZA Roger was a member of numerous committees, often as Chair; was editor of the zoo section of Parks and Recreation magazine for 20 years; editor of the 2nd and 4th editions of the Register of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (the Association's directory); and served six years on the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Park Executives (AZA's parent organization). Roger was also editor of Fauna during its entire 10-year run, as well as editor of its successor, America's First Zoo, for 18 years.
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