Reptile Courses

Our Herpetology and Reptile Care courses cover the study of amphibians and reptiles in their natural habitats, including their origins and biology and their care and welfare in captivity. Students will also learn about the ethical and welfare issues, including the exporting, trading and breeding of reptiles and how this has led has led to a huge surge in numbers resulting in overpopulation and many being abandoned and neglected. Students will gain a wealth of knowledge about these amazing creatures.

The accredited reptile courses that we offer will give students who own reptiles or who have a general interest in this fascinating species a better understanding of their origins and biology and of the care and welfare issues that affect reptiles kept in captivity. Careers working with reptiles are varied and include working in zoos, safari parks, education, veterinary, conservation and for animal charities dealing with the rescue, care and re-homing of many different types of reptiles.

The 2 module reptile certificate courses take an average of 2 months to complete. Students will gain a good understanding of how to improve the quality of life of reptiles in captivity by providing the right care including adequate housing and environmental enrichment to reduce boredom, stress and behavioural problems.

Reptiles are becoming one of the most common exotics kept in captivity as pets. Unfortunately an increasing number are being handed into rescue centres in a poor condition through lack of proper care.

Some jobs working with reptiles involve working in pet shops that sell reptiles. There is strong feeling from many animal rescue centres, who have to handle difficult situations with the ever increasing tide of unwanted animals, that whilst pet shops may be the best places to buy supplies such as equipment and pet food, they are unfortunately frequently responsible for people making impulsive decisions about getting a pet and increasingly reptiles are being sold by some pet shops as ‘easy to care for’ pets. A pet shop is not a good environment to keep, hold or sell animals and there are many sad stories of reptiles being bred purely for profit and sold to pet shops where they can be and frequently are, bought on impulse by anyone. Reptiles require specialised care and are prone to severe health problems if they are not cared for properly. Apart from the suffering endured, a sick animal can cause problems for the pet shop owner who has to deal with angry and upset customers as well as pay for the animal to be treated.

Our Reptile Care, Welfare and Ethics Diploma course explores the legal and ethical issues surrounding the keeping of reptiles as pets and includes an overview of the international trade in reptiles.

Our Companion and Exotic Animal Housing and Welfare Certificate course includes information about animal accommodation and how the design of this, along with environmental enrichment, can assist with physical and mental health of confined reptiles.

1 or 2 Week Practical Reptile Course Practical (Optional)

This is an opportunity to gain hands-on practical experience assisting sick, injured and unwanted exotic pets.

Our partner charity rehabilitates and re-homes snakes, lizards, tortoises and other reptiles in need of assistance.

Their staff and volunteers provide vital assessments and medications to all animals coming into the centre and aims to rehabilitate and re-homing with the most suitable owners.

Students attending this facility will gain hands-on experience assisting with the rescue, care and rehoming of exotic pets. The practical can be varied and may include some or all of the following:

• Assisting with assessing of rescued and unwanted animals
• Anima handling
• Common diseases and treatments in exotic pets
• Assisting the medical team with treatment and first aid as advised by the vet
• General cleaning duties – washig, cleaning walls/cages/floors, restocking food bins etc.
• Feed and clean shifts
• Animal enrichmenrt
• Educating prospective owners in the welfare of pets
• Temperature and Humidity recording

Our partner charity is an animal education centre which aims to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home unwanted or abandoned reptiles with the most suitable owner

The practical povides a great opportunity to gain practical experience working with exotic pets.