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The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. |
Commonly available non-venomous reptiles may include: | lizards monitors and goannas non-venomous snakes tortoises and turtles. |
Behavioural characteristics may include: | behaviour characteristics can vary according to: the breeding season the species, breed, age and sex of the animals the time of day or night behaviour characteristics associated with different species: activity levels at certain times of day or night feeding and foraging fight or flight reproductive behaviours social interaction feeding behaviours defensive behaviour: defending territory, other animals or food hiding or retreating. |
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include: | age, sex and size coat or skin colours and texture eye colour markings, patterns and permanent scars microchip, ear tags, tattoos and markings and leg bands. |
Indicators of poor water quality may include: | colour odour unsuitable water chemistry parameters. |
Water quality adjustments may involve: | correcting chemical imbalances partial water change raising or lowering pH or hardness. |
Indicators of animal comfort and normal behaviour may be identified through: | daily observation and visual examination is the best way to establish the appearance of a healthy reptile and at the same time allows detection of changes from normal. These observations will include: posture and attitude in and out of water activity level in and out of water response to stimuli including handling withdrawal reflex and ability to right itself assessment of body condition assessment of state of hydration appetite and dietary history observing faecal matter for any abnormalities. |
Housing design and environmental factors may include: | environmental: aeration rates and supply biological control of waste cleaning routines and methods correct humidity levels day/night cycle lighting drainage and weather protection electrical safety filtration requirements to maintain the water quality and optimal environmental conditions for target species general animal housing security housing furniture and compatible plants out of direct sunlight ventilation, temperature, heating and cooling requirements housing design: housing options: indoor outdoor vivarium housing requirements: compatibility of species housed together food and water distribution location considerations longevity and sturdiness of materials maintains ambient temperature conditions for the specific species provides continuous access to water free of ammonia or chlorine provides generous ventilation and is safe from fumes and vapours: insecticides cleaning agents required floor area, vertical and/or horizontal space for specific species security considerations species-specific options for animals to hide or rest substrate appropriate to the specific species designs that allow for enrichment activities or species-specific activity, feeding or socialising social options: solitary pairs single sexed groups polyandrous/polygynous groups mixed species. |
Enrichment needs may include: | food or food-related enrichment: giving animals opportunities to forage for food by hiding it in substrates or hunt by movement physical enrichment items: basking/perching sites burrowing substrate, if applicable plants and foliage retreats rocks or artificial rocks shredded paper or leaf litter social enrichment: animals housed with same to encourage species-specific behaviours mixed species exhibits to encourage positive inter-species interactions. |
Welfare of animals requirements may include: | adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations enrichment opportunities the absence of predators, pests and vermin the compatibility of species and breeds. |
OHS risks when working with animals may include: | animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal electrical hazards enhanced by the presence of water handling of chemicals and medicines gas leakage inhalation of aerosol particles intraocular contamination manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting needle pricks and cuts from other sharps release of infective agents (animal and human) slippery or uneven work surfaces zoonoses. |
Equipment used to catch, handle and restrain non-venomous reptiles may include: | bags gloves noose-type devices for large reptiles. |
Methods used to approach and catch reptiles may include: | approaching and handling as quietly as possible with the following considerations: small reptiles should be supported by the palm of the hand with the other hand placed over its shoulders to prevent escape darkened conditions tend to calm the animals and reduce stress reactions standard hygiene procedures should be followed, including the use of gloves handling of reptiles should always be kept to a minimum to ensure the animal is not stressed or accidentally injured. |
Common health issues may include: | behavioural disorders environmental hazards: contamination of the water due to presence of toxins exposure to extremes of water quality exposure to the elements inadequate activity temperature extremes ventilation infectious diseases caused by: bacteria, virus, fungus and protozoe internal and external parasites non-infection diseases: chemical toxicities and allergies genetic disorders metabolic neoplastic nutritional imbalances and disruptions physical traumas zoonotic diseases. |
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include: | routine health check-up control of parasites immunisation/vaccinations as required insect control temperature, heat and light requirements for specific species quarantine and isolation procedures routine observation of waste elimination and faecal examination water quality. |
Digestive system features may include: | anatomical features: mouth structures digestive chemicals and bacteria alimentary canal and stomach intestines, rectum and anus physiological features: eating processes nutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods waste elimination feeding patterns and natural dietary requirements for the species potential digestive system malfunctions or problems water needs. |
Food source considerations include: | captive diets must be similar to the natural diet of the species to: minimise the impact of captivity stimulate normal digestive function maximise development of natural survival techniques food sources: dietary supplements live food. |
Feeding hazards may include: | animal movement and handling shelf life of foodstuffs manual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipment contamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sources organic and other dusts excessive noise possibility of zoonotic infection. |
Documentation on the care and management of reptiles may include: | accident and incident records chemical and veterinary supplies register detailed and accurate records for each animal: species and sex of animal identification and history feeding, health and treatment records diary, rosters and task completion and timeframe records equipment use, damage and repair register OHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other records provisions records of current stock and items used and items required stock control records water chemistry and quality records water change frequencies and amounts. |