Course Description

Reptiles are very popular pets, but few people who keep them have a comprehensive understanding of reptile health needs, how to deal with an ill reptile or how to provide basic first aid treatment that could save a reptile’s life.

The Keeping Reptiles home course introduces you to all aspects of keeping a snake, lizard or turtle. From understanding reptile biology and behaviour to health and first aid, you will be learning how to keep reptiles healthy and happy. The course is ideal for all reptile owners, and particularly keepers caring for them in a retail outlet or visitor attraction.

Enrolment is continuous, and you proceed at your own pace under the guidance of the course tutor. The reptile course is suitable for beginners, and no prior knowledge of the topic is required. If you do have some experience of keeping reptiles, you will have many opportunities to deepen your knowledge and understanding.

Course materials, readings and interactive learning experiences are accessed through the Academy’s virtual learning environment (VLE). Engaging with the tutor and with other learners is a key element of this learning experience.

Course Content

In this course we cover the following topics:

• Reptile Biology and Anatomy
• Habitat and Ecology
• Life Cycles and Behaviour
• Reptile Housing and Feeding
• Handling Snakes, Lizards and Turtles
• Essential Reptile Health Issues
• Reptile Rescue and First Aid
• Buying a Reptile

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of basic reptile biology, habitat, life cycles and behaviour;
• Identify the core requirements of reptile keeping in terms of housing, diet, and day-to-day care;
• Discuss a range of commonly encountered reptile health problems and recognise an ill reptile;
• Describe appropriate treatments and first aid procedures in response to reptile illness and common injuries.