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Teaching Philosophy
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Our staff strives to provide professional courses that encourage a safety culture. One of the first questions many people ask is "have you ever been bit"? Here at TRC, we are proud to say that no staff member or student has ever been envenomated, largely due to the strong safety protocols and culture we have built within our organization.
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Our training programs set the standard for safely working working with venomous reptiles. The curriculum designed by our expert team of instructors has been fine tuned for years, with new classes becoming available all over the United States and new organizations and companies teaching our Level 1 and 2 coursework.
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Our training courses are for anyone over 18 that is interested in expanding their knowledge and skillset to safely work with venomous reptiles. Students range from homeowners with snakes in their backyard, military personnel, zoo professionals, researchers, students, and government employees. If you think you may have a situation that involves potentially encountering snakes, whether venomous or non-venomous, we recommend you sign up for a course today!​
The Rattlesnake Conservancy is permitted to own and handle venomous reptiles by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and multiple states where we host training courses. We carry full liability insurance, and are bonded for bodily injury. Certification in these courses does not substitute the training or permitting requirements by FWC or other state wildlife agencies, but is meant to provide supplementary training to field professionals and those looking to expand their knowledge about venomous reptiles.
Public Course Locations
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The Rattlesnake Conservancy's flagship course sets the standard for safety, husbandry, and protocol for working with venomous reptiles. Our Venomous Handling Training Courses are the leading venomous training program in the United States, are taught by multiple organizations U.S. wide, and more than 2,000 students have attended these courses.
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The Level 1 Venomous Handling Course sets the foundations for future training programs, depending on your interest or career aspirations. Level 1 is the pre-requisite course to enter either the Field Herping & Research Track or the Venomous Snakes in Captivity Track.
Topics covered in the course include:
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Hands-on individual training, guided by one of our professional instructors.
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Handling methods for non-venomous and venomous snakes.
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Learn about the life history, toxinology, and ecology of native venomous reptiles.
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Emergency field care for envenomation
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Disease transmission and pathology
This course consists of two days of comprehensive training with expert instructors from our team. The first day of training involves 6 hours of classroom work, where students learn about venom toxinology, native venomous snakes in their region, snake bite management, captive venomous reptiles, and disease monitoring and management.
On day 2, students have the opportunity to safely handle with both venomous and non-venomous species. Students learn about the various type of handling equipment available to safely work with venomous reptiles, how to spot venomous reptiles in the wild, and handle multiple species and sizes of venomous snakes. Routinely, students will work with cottonmouths (Agkistrodon c. piscivorus), canebrake rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus), copperheads (Agkistrodon c. contortrix), and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus).
The Level 2R Course is for students wanting to take the next step in advancing their hands on skills with venomous snakes! Level 1 is a prerequisite for this course.
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Information covered in this course includes in depth information on venom toxinology, hands on practical experience with venomous reptiles, safe handling restraint, and biological sampling.
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Day one is a full day, with the first half of the day consisting of classroom work and refreshing information covered in Level 1. After the classroom portion, instructors allow students to refresh their handling skills using snake hooks prior to moving on to advanced techniques, such as tubing snakes. The second day is exclusively dedicated to handling, restraint, research techniques, and field work.
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Level 2C - Introduction to Venomous Reptiles in Captivity
$449 per student
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This class is taken in partnership with the Reptile Preservation Institute Inc. in Melrose, Florida. The first day of this course is spent in the classroom learning the foundations of venomous reptiles in captivity. The second day of the course involves hand on experience with both native and exotic species of viperids and elapids.
Taking this course requires you to have taken Level 1 with The Rattlesnake Conservancy or a partner organization that teaches our curriculum. Topics covered in Level 2C include:
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Identification and care of common species of venomous reptiles.
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How to setup and execute bite and disaster protocols.
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Preparing an escape proof room.
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Proper safe handling techniques for captivity.
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This course takes place over 2 days of intensive training with our team in Jacksonville and with our partners at the Reptile Preservation Institute in Melrose.​
Private Training
Looking for a private training course for your company? Whether you are looking for general awareness training about venomous snakes of the area, pre-hospital snakebite management, hands on training with venomous snakes of your area, or all of the above, we can tailor a training course for your company!
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Hands-on individual training, guided by one of our professional instructors.
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Information about snakes of your area.
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Handling methods for non-venomous and venomous snakes.
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Tools and equipment used for relocation.
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Methods of relocation
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Pre-hospital snakebite management
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Risk reduction techniques
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Contact us today to schedule a private training course!
Disclaimer
Participation in the venomous handling courses by The Rattlesnake Conservancy Inc. does not guarantee certification by our organization. Students must successfully pass a written and practical test to achieve certification. Completion of the course does not substitute state or local permits which may be required to handle or possess venomous reptiles in their area. Students should contact their state and local authorities for information regarding permitting in their area.
Cancellation Policy
By registering for a training course sponsored, hosted, or taught by The Rattlesnake Conservancy, you acknowledge and accept the following cancellation policy. Notice of a student's intent to cancel a registration must be made in writing to The Rattlesnake Conservancy by email to info@savethebuzztails.org or by mail and is subject to the following terms:
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Students whose cancellation request is received over 21 days prior to the start date are eligible for a full refund minus payment processing fees and a $25.00 administrative fee
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Students whose cancellation request is received within 8 to 20 days prior to the start date are eligible for a partial $250.00 refund
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Students whose cancellation request is received less than 7 days prior to or after the start date are not eligible for a refund. Exceptions may be made based on the circumstances of the cancellation at staff discretion.
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The Rattlesnake Conservancy is not responsible for travel costs incurred. Please do not purchase non-refundable airline tickets more than 30 days before the course.
The Rattlesnake Conservancy reserves the right to cancel courses, change course location, change instructors, or change course content. In the event that a course must be canceled or the location of the course changed, registrants will be informed 30 days prior to the start of the course and full tuition refund issued to students.
The Rattlesnake Conservancy is not responsible for travel costs incurred. Please do not purchase non-refundable airline tickets more than 30 days before the course. Should a course require cancellation or change in location, The Rattlesnake Conservancy is not responsible for non-refundable airline tickets.
