Courses & Training
Hoedspruit Reptile Centre offers numerous specialised FGASA accredited training courses to cater for a variety of interests, passions and educational desires.
Reptile Orientation Course
FGASA Accredited Reptile Orientation Course
This is one of our most popular courses at Hoedspruit Reptile Centre. Groups are treated to an interactive learning session involving one-on-one demonstrations with live animals, museum items and the opportunity to feed some of our animals. The tour also includes an in-depth presentation on reptiles conducted in our Auditorium as well as a guided tour of our facility. This half day (4 hour) course comes with a Certificate of Attendance for each attendee.| Reptile orientation (4 hours) | ||
• Minimum 4 pax |
R 430.00 pp | |
- Maximum 20 people per tour
- Advanced booking required
- Snake identification
- Reptile physiology
- Habits and habitat
- Safety and snakes
- Venoms and venom apparatus
- Snake bite first aid
- Snake health and welfare
- Phobias
Standard Snake Handling Course
Basic Snake Handling Course
This course is designed for the reptile enthusiast, game reserve workers, field guides, safety officers, designated snake catchers at mining and other industrial plants or anyone else exposed to snakes in the work place or at home with little or no previous reptile handling experience. This is full day theory and practical fun-filled educational course.| Basic snake handling course (1 day) (Half Day, practical only-R950.00 pp) | ||
• Theory and practical |
R 1 650.00 pp | |
- To attend this course individuals must be eighteen years or older
- Upon successful completion of the course each attendee is issued a certificate
- Advanced booking required
- Snake identification
- Reptile physiology
- Habits and habitat
- Safety and snakes
- Venoms and venom apparatus
- Snake bite first aid
- Snake health and welfare
- Phobias
- Responsible reptile handling techniques
- Responding to a snake call out
- Reptile capture and release
- Dealing with emergency situations
Advanced Snake Handling Course
Advanced Snake Handling Course
This full day scenario-based course is designed for the experienced reptile enthusiast, game reserve managers, safety officers, designated snake catchers at mining and other industrial plants or anyone else exposed to snakes in the workplace or at home with previous handling experience.
There is a maximum limit of two people per course. Individuals receive one-on-one training in simulated real-world scenarios as well as get the best opportunity to learn the advanced skills necessary to safely capture and release all types of snakes and other reptiles.
| Advanced snake handling course (1 day) | ||
• Theory and practical | R 2 000.00 pp | |
- Maximum two people per course
- Individuals must be eighteen years or older
- Upon successful completion of the course each attendee is issued a certificate
- Advanced booking required
To attend this course, individuals must have attended and successfully completed our Basic Snake Handling Course.
This course is two part, a theoretical session and a practical session. The subjects covered in this course include the following:
- Safety and snakes
- First-aid refresher course
- Advanced reptile handling safety and precautions
- Advanced capture and release in real-world scenarios
- Dealing with emergency situations
- The reptile call-out
Contact Us now to make your booking or for more information on this course.
Reptile Husbandry Course
| Reptile Husbandry Course | |
• Minimum 4 people |
R 410.00.00 pp |
- Enclosure design and set up
- Biosecurity and hygiene
- Animal health assessment
- Preventative medicine and common disease
- Animal safety and handling
- Record keeping
- Animal ethics
Standard Reptile Medicine Course
| Standard Veterinary Course (4 hours) | ||
• Lectures and demonstration |
R 550.00.00 pp | |
- Maximum 10 people
- Certificate issued to all attendees
- Advanced booking required
- Reptile husbandry
- Animal safety and handling
- Animal health assessment
- Biosecurity and hygiene
- Preventative medicine and common diseases
- Reptile First Aid
- Reptile necropsy (practical)
Advanced Reptile Medicine Course
This full day FGASA accredited course given by a qualified reptile veterinarian has been specifically developed for veterinarians, vet nurses, para-veterinarians and veterinary students of all levels. The course deals specifically with reptile care, husbandry, disease, medicine and treatment and includes a theory and practical session. This hands-on course gives attendees the opportunity to partake in routine preventative medicine performed at the Centre.
| Advanced Veterinary Course (full day) | |
| • Lectures and demonstration • Practical session and necropsy • Minimum number 4 pax • Maximum number 10 pax | R 1, 250.00 pp |
- Certificate issued to all attendees
- Advanced booking required
The topics covered include:
- Reptile husbandry
- Animal safety and handling
- Animal health assessment
- Biosecurity and hygiene
- Preventative medicine and common diseases
- Reptile First Aid
- Reptile anaesthesia and surgery
- Reptile emergencies
- Medical techniques (practical)
- Reptile necropsy (practical)
Contact Us now to make your booking or for more information on this course.
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