Léon Vaillant

Léon Louis Vaillant ([le.ɔ̃ va.jɑ̃]; 11 November 1834 – 24 November 1914) was a French zoologist. He is most famous for his work in the areas of herpetology, malacology, and ichthyology.

In 1854 he graduated from the College d'Arras, followed by studies in medicine and zoology in Paris. In 1861, he received his medical doctorate, then continued his zoological studies with Henri Milne-Edwards (1800-1885), earning his degree in natural sciences in 1865. In 1875, he became a professor at the Museum of Natural History in Paris.

He held a special interest involving the systematics and anatomy of turtles and crocodiles, but also made significant contributions in his investigations of reptilian physiology and behavior. Of his 200-plus scientific writings, 90 of them are based on herpetological subjects.

He participated in French naval expeditions on the Travailleur in 1880, 1881 and 1882 and on the Talisman in 1883.