Principles of Reptile and Amphibian Care

Learn how to care for reptiles and amphibians confidently, with a strong focus on practical husbandry, behaviour and welfare. You will also explore the diversity of species and how their biology influences their care, helping you understand what these animals need to thrive and how to recognise and prevent common care problems.

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This course explores the care and management of reptiles and amphibians in captivity, combining practical husbandry with an understanding of their diversity and biology.

You will develop knowledge of key husbandry practices, including enclosure design, temperature and lighting, humidity, feeding and routine care. Alongside this, you will explore how differences between species influence their needs, helping you make informed decisions about their care.

The course also examines behaviour, health and welfare, enabling you to recognise normal and abnormal signs and understand your responsibilities as a carer.

By the end of the course, you will have the knowledge and confidence to provide appropriate, responsible care and to support the long-term health and welfare of reptiles and amphibians.

Describe the main groups, basic biology and key differences of reptiles and amphibians, and how these relate to their care in captivity.
Explain appropriate husbandry practices, including enclosure design, environmental conditions and feeding, for commonly kept species.
Recognise normal and abnormal behaviour and signs of ill health, and explain how to support the welfare and responsible care of reptiles and amphibians.

This course aims to provide you with the knowledge and understanding required to care for reptiles and amphibians in captivity, with a strong focus on practical husbandry, behaviour, health and welfare across a range of commonly kept species.

You will explore the diversity and basic biology of reptiles and amphibians, and how differences between species influence their care requirements.
The course will guide you through key aspects of husbandry, including enclosure design, temperature, lighting, humidity and feeding, showing how these must be adapted for different species.
You will also explore behaviour, learning how to recognise what is normal and when something may be wrong. The course will introduce common signs of ill health and explain how to support good welfare and responsible ownership.

This course is delivered online through a flexible, self-paced approach using Moodle, a virtual learning environment. You will work through a range of structured learning materials, including written content, images and short videos.

Learning will take place through activities such as quizzes and scenario-based tasks, helping you to understand real-life reptile and amphibian care situations. You will receive prompt feedback to support your learning and build confidence.

Optional one-to-one support and group sessions will be available to provide guidance, answer questions and support your progress throughout the course.

Assessment for this course is completed online through a series of quizzes and scenario-based activities. These assessments are designed to check your understanding of reptile and amphibian care, including husbandry, behaviour, health and welfare.

You will be required to complete all assessments and achieve the set pass mark to successfully complete the course. Optional support and group sessions are available to help you prepare, but participation is not required for completion.

The course is self-paced, allowing you to progress at your own speed.
You have 6 months from the time of enrolment to complete the course.
Typical completion time: The course is generally designed to be completed in 12 - 24 weeks.
Weekly time commitment: To complete the course in 12 weeks, expect to spend 2-3 hours per week on directed online learning activities and at least one day per week dedicated to independent learning and assessment work.

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Animal Care

The ability to care for animals is a skill required in a wide range of organisations and nationally-recognised qualifications are now required by the majority of employers

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HNC
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NC

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The ability to care for animals is a skill required in a wide range of organisations and nationally-recognised qualifications are now required by the majority of employers

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MA at SCQF level 7

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Senior phase prospectus

Learn more about this course and all our courses for schools in our senior phase prospectus.

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Principles of Reptile and Amphibian Care

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After completing this course, you may be interested in studying:

Animal Care

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Veterinary Care and Animal Welfare

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Veterinary Nursing

Select course level

Senior phase prospectus

Other course offerings for schools

Environmental Awareness

Equine Studies

Investigation of Modern Agriculture

Principles of Animal Care

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