Leopold Fitzinger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leopold Fitzinger
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| Born | 13 April 1802 Vienna, Austria
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| Died | 20 September 1884 (aged 82) Hietzing (Viennese district), Austria
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| Education | University of Vienna |
| Known for | Neue Classification der Reptilien, Systema Reptilium |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Zoology |
| Institutions | Natural History Museum, Vienna |
| Author abbrev. (zoology) | Fitzinger |
Leopold Joseph Franz Johann Fitzinger (born April 13, 1802 – died September 20, 1884) was an important Austrian zoologist. He spent his life studying animals, especially reptiles. Fitzinger helped us understand how to group different kinds of animals.
Contents
Who Was Leopold Fitzinger?
Leopold Fitzinger was born in Vienna, Austria. From a young age, he was interested in the natural world. He grew up to become a famous scientist who studied animals.
Early Life and Education
Leopold Fitzinger studied botany at the University of Vienna. Botany is the study of plants. He learned from a well-known professor named Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin. This early learning helped him become a great scientist.
Working with Animals
Fitzinger started working at the Natural History Museum, Vienna in 1817. He began as a volunteer helper. Later, he became an assistant curator in 1844. He worked at this famous museum until 1861.
After leaving the museum, Fitzinger became a director. He managed zoos in two big cities: Munich in Germany and Budapest in Hungary. He helped care for many different animals in these zoos.
His Big Ideas About Reptiles
Leopold Fitzinger was especially known for his work on reptiles. He wrote several important books about them. These books changed how scientists understood and grouped reptiles.
New Ways to Classify Reptiles
In 1826, Fitzinger published a book called Neue Classification der Reptilien. This title means "New Classification of Reptiles." In this book, he shared new ways to organize reptiles. His ideas were partly based on the work of his friends, Friedrich Wilhelm Hemprich and Heinrich Boie.
Later, in 1843, he published another major book. It was called Systema Reptilium. This book focused on specific reptiles. It covered animals like geckos, chameleons, and iguanas. These books helped scientists around the world.
Animals Named After Him
Leopold Fitzinger's work was so important that some animals were named in his honor. This is a special way to remember scientists. Five different reptiles have his name in their scientific names:
- Algyroides fitzingeri
- Leptotyphlops fitzingeri
- Liolaemus fitzingerii
- Micrurus tener fitzingeri
- Oxyrhopus fitzingeri
See also
- Category:Taxa named by Leopold Fitzinger
