Reptile enrichment: Its role in functional behaviour and tissue health

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About the event

Join us at Crocodiles of the world. For a day of contemporary scientific research, practical skills, case studies and enrichment building, utilising some of the amazing species at the UK’s only crocodile zoo.

Reptile enrichment: and its role in functional behaviour and tissue health

Based at the UK’s only crocodile zoo – Crocodiles of the world, this workshop would be ideal for senior and junior keepers, private collector and students, who have an interest in enrichment, or simply deepening their understanding of musculoskeletal disease, health and how our management can both help or hinder the health and longevity of the animals in our care.

Utilising problem-based learning and real-life case studies, this workshop aims to deliver contemporary knowledge and practical skills. By teaching underpinning science of disease in reptiles, anatomy and fitness, attendees will be able to select enrichment devices and protocols to benefit and support the long-term musculoskeletal and behavioural health of reptiles. The workshop culminates in the design and construction of enrichment for real-life case studies within the collection, including a Mertens water monitor and a Komodo dragon.

Professional memberships

This workshop will cover:

How physiological adaptations and musculoskeletal health impact biomechanics and function
How natural animal behaviour, captivity limitations and repetitive movement impacts fitness and health
The importance of life stages in activity and enrichment e.g. juvenile and geriatric animals
What is fitness and how it impacts the use of enrichment – planning what/when/how
How Hypocalcaemia, MBD and osteoarthritis/arthritis impacts the use of enrichment
How understanding behavioural factors and anatomical adaptations is crucial for enrichment design
Design, create and install an enrichment device/usage plan for an animal within the collection
Practical skills e.g. using materials such as fire hose to construct enrichment devices

Please arrive before 9 am for a prompt start, any additional questions please feel free to get in touch:

Reptile Enrichment Workshop Video:

Who we have worked with

Reptile Workshop - Reviews

Really good information from angles that are often missed or dismissed towards animals, especially reptiles. Really, really important step in the right direction for animal keeping. 10/10 would come again’

Today's workshop was really interesting! Very informative, relevant and well-presented in a way that really made sense and gave plenty of context. Everything ran smoothly and the practical section was fun and useful. Thanks a lot!

Matthew was really engaging and clearly passionate about the topic. Gained both theoretical and practical skills that I can take back to my role, and apply it to more than just behaviour.

The event was incredibly insightful and gave a great overview on a range of topics. Even as somebody with a fair amount of knowledge on the topics at hand, I learnt a lot and gave lots of great thoughts for me to take home and onwards. Excellent day and really impactful.

The workshop was hugely informative and has helped me get a better understanding of specific ways to look at enrichment from several angles

An amazing workshop which does a deep-dive into enrichment for specific animals, taking into consideration the animals life stage, any disease and specific adaptations. Matthew was very knowledgeable on animal anatomy and the physiology side of providing enrichment and exercise for animals of varying taxonomy groups. The workshop allowed us to put theory into practice with some of the animals at Crocodiles of the World, which we were able to monitor and reflect on the effectiveness of the enrichment provided.

I thought that the workshop was excellent, the information provided was informative and presented well, and I really enjoyed the practical side to it and being able to see the chosen animals interact with the enrichment we made

FAQs:

What kind of person would this event benefit?

This event is aimed at all professionals (Keepers, Vets, nurses), private keepers, students and people with an interest or career within the herpetology, veterinary or zoo industry. This will help to deepen your understanding of how your management choices, and enrichment designs will impact health and behaviour.

Will we get a chance to look around the collection?

The schedule is very tight, to help maximise attendee learning of theory and practical skills (building enrichment). However, attendees will be spending time observing a variety of species engaging with their enrichment devices around the collection, and lunch times will also be available.

What if I'm not very experienced at building enrichment?

There will be an introduction to the use of a range of tools and safety. A number of providers will be at hand to help support attendees in their learning and construction of devices, as well as a number of handouts to help guidance construction.

How will this workshop be taught?

It will be delivered using a mixture of lectures, group tasks and practical sessions.

Should I bring my own food and drink?

Food and drink will be provided by the venue, but please be sure to contact us if you have any food allergies or intolerances, and we can make further arrangements. Refreshments will also be provided in the form of morning and afternoon drink and snacks, as well as a buffet style lunch. There is also an onsite restaurant.