You can have a positive impact on the conservation of threatened reptile and amphibian species by studying and completing this Warnborough online course – either for a hobby or to boost your career in a new direction.
You will learn about:
- Reptile characteristics – both biological and ecological
- Developing your knowledge of relevant conservation issues
- And much more…
If you are interested in reptiles and amphibians the first thing you need to do is ask yourself the following questions:
Do I want to be involved with reptiles and amphibians?
Do I want to become a herpetologist?
If you are interested in becoming a Herpetologist as a professional career, you will more than likely require a high-level qualification.
It is probably more likely that you want to be involved with reptiles and amphibians, either through working with them or having them as pets.
If this is the case, then this Herpetology course is a fantastic introduction to the world of these fascinating animals.
Course Structure
The duration of this online course is 100 hours. This consists of 9 in-depth lessons:
1. Introduction to Herpetology
- Herpetology Defined
- Introduction to Reptiles
- Animal Taxonomy
- Classification of Reptiles
- Characteristics of Reptiles
- Testudine Characteristics (Turtles)
- Squamata Characteristics (Snakes and Lizards)
- Rhynchocephalia Characteristics (Tuatara)
- Classification of Amphibians
- Amphibian Characteristics
- Building Resources and Developing Networks
- Terminology
2. Class Reptilia (Reptiles)
- Reptile Classification
- Water Conservation
- Reproduction
- Order Chelonia (Testudines); Turtles
- Order Crocodilia; Crocodilians
- Order Squamata
- Scaled Reptiles; Lizards (Suborder Sauria)
- and Snakes (Suborder Serpentes)
3. Reptile Biology
- Reptile Anatomy
- Skeleton
- Scales and Skutes
- Ectothermal Regulation
- Coloration
- Respiration and Metabolism
- Food and Digestion
- Senses
- Locomotion
4. Class Amphibia (Amphibians)
- Order Anura (Frogs and Toads)
- Order Apoda (Caecilians)
- Order Urodela (Salamanders and Newts)
5. Amphibian Biology
- Amphibian Skeleton
- Skin
- Ectothermal Regulation
- Colouration
- Respiration and Metabolism
- Branchial
- Buccopharyngeal
- Cutaneous
- Pulmonic
- Food and Digestion
- Senses
- Locomotion
- Reproduction
6. Ecology of Reptiles
- Species Richness
- Constriction
- Injected Venom
- Inertia Feeding
- Biting and Grasping
- Suction Feeding
- Reproductive Strategies
- Viviparity
- Oviparity
- Nest Building
- Habitat Use; Aquatic and Terrestrial
- Basking
- Hibernation
7. Ecology of Amphibians
- Use of Habitat
- Temperature Relationships
- Feeding
- Vocal Communication; Advertisement calls, Territorial calls, Release calls, Distress calls
- Social Behaviour
- Dealing with Predators
- Reproduction and Parental Care
8. Conservation Issues
- Habitat change
- Edge Effects
- Pollution; especially water pollution
- Environmental Acidification (Acid Rain)
- Pesticides
- Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
- Spread of disease
- Invasive Species
- Climate Change
- Spread of Disease
- Disease in Wild Populations
- Trade in Reptiles and Amphibians
- Conservation
- Conservation Genetics
- Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
9. Keeping Reptiles and Amphibians
- Introduction
- Legal Issues
- Special conditions for Amphibians
- Special Conditions for Reptiles
- Preventing Spread of Disease from Reptiles to Humans
- Housing
- Reptile Captivity Problems
- Reptile Feed and Feeding
- Amphibians and Reptile Species that are in Captivity
- Feeding Amphibians
- General Care
- Common Ailments in Reptiles and Amphibians
- Parasitic Diseases
- Fungal Diseases
- Viral Diseases
- Metabolic Bone Disease
- Thiamine Deficiency
COURSE AIMS
- Discuss the nature and scope of reptiles.
- Identify credible resources, and begin to develop networking with organisations and individuals involved with the study of reptiles around the world.
- Describe a range of different reptile species, including distinguishing characteristics, their needs (e.g. environmental, food, etc.) and behaviour.
- Identify and explain the anatomy and physiology of reptiles
- Discuss the nature and scope of amphibians
- Identify credible resources, and begin to develop networking with organisations and individuals involved with the study of amphibians around the world.
- Discuss the nature and scope of amphibians
- Identify credible resources, and begin to develop networking with organisations and individuals involved with the study of amphibians around the world.
- Describe the ecological requirements, reproduction and life cycles of amphibians
- Describe the behaviour of a range of different amphibian species.
- Explain conservation issues that are impacting upon populations of reptiles and amphibians.
- Explain the management of reptiles and amphibians in captivity
HOW DOES A WARNBOROUGH ONLINE COURSE WORK?
You can start the course whenever is convenient for you. You will be studying from home and have access to support from our qualified tutors. Practical exercises and research tasks will be set at the end of each lesson – including an assignment. You will submit this assignment to your course tutor, who will mark your work and give you constructive feedback and suggestions.
If you have any questions please contact us.
