Exotic Animal Care Level 3 is designed for those either looking to pursue a career working with exotic animals or those looking to learn more about looking after exotic animals as pets.

The course covers the nutritional requirements of exotic animals, how to handle them and the legislation involved in keeping them as pets.

Support is provided for up to 12 months but it is entirely up to you how quickly you work through the course. The estimated study time is 80 hours so if you average around 5 hours a week study you would complete in 4-5 months.

Students can choose to take the online version of the course where the course is emailed to you or request a paper copy where the course is delivered hard copy in folders. This is yours to keep so you can write on it, make notes etc.

Support is provided throughout the course via a tutor who can be emailed at any time should you come across anything you are unsure of. There is also a support team by telephone.

Exotic Animal Care Level 3 is split into six units. At the end of each unit you will complete an assignment which you will email to your tutor. An assignment is a set of questions based upon the unit you have just studied. Your tutor will mark your work and give you feedback. If there are any areas for improvements or anything that you have misunderstood you will always have the opportunity to re-submit.

The good news is there are no exams! Once you have completed all the assignments you complete the course.

Unit 1: History of Exotic Pets

• Explain the development of the exotic pet trade and the problems associated with it
• Evaluate concerns with conservation
• Describe the purpose of CITES
• Analyse legislation surrounding the keeping of exotic pets

Unit 2: Care of Chipmunks, Chinchillas and Degus

• Describe the basic anatomy of these exotic pets
• Evaluate the husbandry requirements to achieve the welfare needs of chipmunks, chinchillas and degus
• Describe the importance of correct nutrition for the species
• Explain the common medical diseases seen in the range of exotic pets

Unit 3: Care of Sugar Gliders, Ferrets and Pygmy Hedgehogs

• Describe the basic anatomy of these exotic pets
• Evaluate the husbandry requirements to achieve the welfare needs of sugar gliders, ferrets and pygmy hedgehogs
• Describe the importance of correct nutrition for the species
• Explain the common medical disease seen in the range of exotic pets

Unit 4: Care of Tortoises, Turtles and Frogs and Toads

• Describe the basic anatomy of these exotic pets
• Evaluate the husbandry requirements to achieve the welfare needs of tortoises, turtles and toads
• Describe the importance of correct nutrition for the species
• Explain the common medical diseases seen in the range of exotic pets

Unit 5: Care of Lizards and Snakes

• Describe the basic anatomy of these exotic pets
• Evaluate the husbandry requirements to achieve the welfare needs of lizards and snakes
• Describe the importance of correct nutrition for the species
• Explain the common medical diseases seen in the range of exotic pets

Unit 6: Care of Cage and Aviary Birds

• Describe the basic anatomy of these exotic pets
• Evaluate the husbandry requirements to achieve the welfare needs of cage and aviary birds
• Describe the importance of correct nutrition for the species
• Explain the common medical diseases seen in the range of exotic pets

At the end of this course successful learners will receive a Certificate of Achievement from ABC Awards and Certa Awards and a Learner Unit Summary (which lists the components the learner has completed as part of the course).

The course has been endorsed under the ABC Awards and Certa Awards Quality Licence Scheme. This means that Open Study College has undergone an external quality check to ensure that the organisation and the courses it offers, meet defined quality criteria. The completion of this course alone does not lead to a regulated qualification* but may be used as evidence of knowledge and skills gained. The Learner Unit Summary may be used as evidence towards Recognition of Prior Learning if you wish to progress your studies in this subject. To this end the learning outcomes of the course have been benchmarked at Level 3 against level descriptors published by Ofqual, to indicate the depth of study and level of demand/complexity involved in successful completion by the learner.

The course itself has been designed by Open Study College to meet specific learners’ and/or employers’ requirements which cannot be satisfied through current regulated qualifications. ABC Awards & Certa Awards endorsement involves robust and rigorous quality audits by external auditors to ensure quality is continually met. A review of courses is carried out as part of the endorsement process.

ABC Awards and Certa Awards have long-established reputations for providing high quality vocational qualifications across a wide range of industries. ABC Awards and Certa Awards combine over 180 years of expertise combined with a responsive, flexible and innovative approach to the needs of our customers.

Renowned for excellent customer service, and quality standards, ABC Awards and Certa Awards also offer regulated qualifications for all ages and abilities post-14; all are developed with the support of relevant stakeholders to ensure that they meet the needs and standards of employers across the UK.