Develop specialist knowledge and practical skills for responsible reptile care, including suitable enclosures, heating, lighting, humidity, feeding, health monitoring and safe handling.
Suitable for existing or prospective reptile keepers and learners wishing to gain a recognised species-endorsed animal care qualification. Practical learning and assessment use suitable reptiles, with welfare and safe handling as priorities.
This City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate develops essential animal health, husbandry and handling skills in the context of reptiles. Successful learners receive the Exotic Pets – Reptiles endorsement (certification module 909).
Adults who own or are considering keeping reptiles, animal care learners seeking specialist skills, and those interested in responsible exotic pet husbandry.
For learners aged 16+. Suitability is considered individually, including the ability to work safely and meet practical assessment requirements. No particular previous qualification is specified.
Consider other species-endorsed specialist certificates, broader Level 2 Animal Care learning or suitable Level 3 Animal Management study.
Learning is taught and assessed in the context of reptiles and covers five areas:
Explore species-appropriate enclosures, security, substrates, shelter, ventilation, heating, UV lighting and humidity. Practise cleaning, maintenance checks and appropriate waste disposal.
Provide suitable food and water using appropriate feeding methods and equipment, recognising that dietary needs differ between reptile species.
Understand species-specific social needs and behaviour, including when animals should be housed individually, and recognise body language that may indicate stress.
Learn appropriate approaches to safe handling and moving, hygiene, basic health checks and routine preventative care, using techniques suitable for the species and individual animal.
Consider the five animal welfare needs and the responsibilities of keeping exotic animals, including long-term care and welfare decisions.
Practical tasks will be matched to the reptiles available and suitable for assessment at the centre.
Small group: weekly three-hour sessions combining supported theory and supervised practical reptile care.
One-to-one: weekly three-hour personalised tuition, subject to availability.
Hybrid: remote theory activities with scheduled in-person practical teaching and assessment. This qualification cannot be completed entirely online.
The qualification has 14 guided learning hours and 16 total qualification hours. A typical plan is approximately five to six three-hour weekly sessions, with additional time if needed for assessment or individual support.
Assessment is a one-to-one practical assessment with oral questioning, graded Pass only. Every learner must demonstrate their own practical competence, including learners on group or hybrid programmes. Appropriate animal welfare and safety arrangements apply throughout.
Fees vary by centre, learning option, practical arrangements and individual support requirements. Please contact us for a quotation including any City & Guilds registration and assessment charges.
We welcome enquiries from reptile owners, prospective keepers and learners interested in specialist animal care.
Suitable placements may be commissioned as part of an agreed vocational education programme.
Contact Frampton Farm in Kent or Poppies Farm in Berkshire to discuss availability, reptile species available for practical assessment and suitability.
Develop further specialist skills through additional certificates or broader animal care qualifications.
Explore further species-endorsed certificates in small mammals, poultry, sheep, goats and other animal groups.
Broaden animal welfare, health and husbandry knowledge through a larger vocational programme.
Consider further animal management study when ready for higher-level knowledge and responsibility.
Practical Education Beyond the Classroom
Providing practical, farm-based education, recognised qualifications and alternative learning opportunities at Frampton Farm in Kent and Poppies Farm in Berkshire, helping young people develop confidence, independence and skills for the future.
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