(Ongoing) Exotic Animal Veterinary: Herpetology, Reptiles, Amphibians (10-15 YO)

Veterinary medicine is changing but one thing remains the same: from young kids to high school teens, there's a lot of interest in becoming a veterinarian, assistant, zookeeper, or wildlife conservationist. From cute dolphins to scruffy wolves to coyotes, leopards, and scorpions... animals really capture the hearts of learners all over the world.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the veterinary field is expected to grow by 18% between now and 2028. Exotic animal breeding and pet trade opportunities are also growing faster than average. My classes are parent-influenced to provide learners with the information they want. In vet school, students can't learn only about their favorite species. They learn them all.

This class is not set up to stuff animal facts in student's brains. This class is not set up to be "fluff" although it is also not as advanced as my equine, cat, dog anatomy classes and veterinary skills courses. Some sections of the class enjoy student discussion more than others. But, the number one reason exotic pets get sick and die is due to improper care from well-intended owners. Exotic pet vets spend a huge chunk of their day educating pet owners on the best ways to help exotic pets thrive. This course is packed with husbandry (how to care for) information, common medical emergencies, and the understanding of the anatomy and physiology of these animals. 

Each week is independent. Information from previous weeks is not required and it does not matter when you join the class. Although most weeks are focused on reptiles, students are allowed to request species for future instruction that may not be reptilian.

How the Course Moves:
5 Minutes: Introductions & Sharing
10 Minutes: Wild Tendencies and Captive Care
5-10 Minutes: Most common medical diagnosis veterinarians treat & how to prevent these situations with proper care
Last Minutes: Goodbyes and last-minute questions

** I allow student questions throughout the entirety of the class. I only ask that students stay on topic.



Tentative Schedule: 
Week of December 29th, 2024: Milk Snakes 
Week of January 5th, 2025: Spotted Salamander
Week of January 12th, 2025: Black and White Tegu
Week of January 19th, 2025: Tokay Gecko
Week of January 26th, 2025: Green Iguana
Week of February 2nd, 2025: Frilled Dragon 
Week of February 9th, 2025: Box Turtle (no husbandry handout)
Week of February 16th, 2025: False Water Cobras 
Week of February 23rd, 2025: Jackson's Chameleon  
Week of March 2nd, 2025: Corn Snake
Week of March 9th, 2025: Leopard Gecko
Week of March 16th, 2025: Sulcata Tortoise
Week of March 23rd, 2025: Red-Eyed Crocodile Skink 
Week of March 30th, 2025: Northern Water Snake
Week of April 6th, 2025: Rhino Rat Snake 
Week of April 13th, 2025: Green Tree Python
Week of April 20th, 2025: Ackies Monitor
Week of April 27th, 2025: Poison Dart Frogs (no husbandry handout)
Week of May 4th, 2025: Gargoyle Geckos
Week of May 11th, 2025: Blue Tongue Skink
Week of May 18th, 2025: Axolotls
Week of May 25th, 2025: Mexican King Snakes
Week of June 1st, 2025: Kenyan Sand Boas
Week of June 8th, 2025: Chinese Water Dragon
Week of June 15th, 2025: Sailfin Dragon
Week of June 22nd, 2025: Spiderman Lizards
Week of June 29th, 2025: Green Basilisk
Week of July 6th, 2025: Draco Lizards
Week of July 13th, 2025: Knob Tailed Gecko
Week of July 20th, 2025: Mud Turtle
Week of July 27th, 2025: 
Week of August 3rd, 2025: Panther Chameleons
Week of August 10th, 2025: Hognose Snakes
Week of August 17th, 2025: 
Week of August 24th, 2025: Ball Python 
Week of August 31st, 2025: Tokay Gecko
Week of September 7th, 2025: Bearded Dragon
Week of September 14th, 2025: Rankins Dragon
Week of September 21st, 2025: Pixie Frog Bullfrogs
Week of September 28th, 2025: 
Week of October 5th, 2025:
Week of October 12th, 2025: Mountain Horned Lizard
Week of October 19th, 2025: Short Horned Lizard
Week of October 26th, 2025: Mountain Thorny Devil Lizard
Week of November 2nd, 2025:  
Week of November 9th, 2025: Russian Tortoise
Week of November 16th, 2025: Crested Gecko
Week of November 23rd, 2025: Desert Iguana
Week of November 30th, 2025: Uromastix
Week of December 7th, 2025: White's Tree Frog
Week of December 14th, 2025: Desert Iguana
Week of December 21st, 2025: Hognose Snake
Week of December 28th, 2025: Panther Chameleon
Hermit Crabs


** Please Note: When starting a new section, I will start with four weeks to see if we gain traction. Because this is a club, multiple learners are beneficial to students maximizing their time in the classroom.
** Please Note: I am not a licensed DVM. Per U.S. Federal Law and Outschool Policy, I will not diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any student pets. I will always recommend seeing a licensed veterinary consult in your state, province, or country.