About Raymond B. Cowles
Lived 1896 – 1975 (aged 79). Raymond B. Cowles was an American ecologist and herpetologist.
Raymond Bridgman Cowles (pronounced "coals"; 1896–1975) was a herpetologist and professor at University of California, Los Angeles. Born in the British Colony of Natal (in what is now KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) to American missionary parents, he emigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. He attended Pomona College as an undergrad and earned his PhD at Cornell University under Albert Hazen Wright. He is known for his research on desert ecology and reptile thermoregulation, as well as his popular books on environmental conservation. Cowles died of a heart attack in 1975 at the age of 79.
Cowles is commemorated in the scientific names of three reptiles: the White Sands prairie lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi), the Angolan coral snake (Aspidelaps lubricus cowlesi), and the Yuman Desert fringe-toed lizard (Uma cowlesi).
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Raymond B. Cowles?
American herpetologist (1896–1975)
When was Raymond B. Cowles born?
Raymond B. Cowles was born on 1 December 1896 in Amanzimtoti.
When did Raymond B. Cowles die?
Raymond B. Cowles died on 7 December 1975 in Santa Barbara.
What was Raymond B. Cowles's occupation?
Raymond B. Cowles was an ecologist and herpetologist.
What nationality was Raymond B. Cowles?
Raymond B. Cowles was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Raymond B. Cowles
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Raymond B. Cowles. https://biography.guide/raymond-b-cowles/
MLA: "Raymond B. Cowles." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/raymond-b-cowles/.
Chicago: "Raymond B. Cowles." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/raymond-b-cowles/.
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