Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
identify the specific characteristics and needs of reptiles and apply these to the best practice industry standard of housing, socialising, feeding and health management
classify and identify reptiles by age, sex, reproductive status, condition, colours, markings and other identifying features using industry terminology
safely and humanely catch, handle and restrain non-venomous reptiles
assess water quality for suitability for maintained species
report and document treatments, behaviours and other information on individual animals in accordance with animal welfare regulations, industry standards and workplace protocols and procedures.

The skills and knowledge required to provide basic care of non-venomous reptiles must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed against the types of processes required in the industry sector in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include animal shelters or rehabilitation organisations, zoos and wildlife parks or similar workplaces.

There must be access to a range of non-venomous reptiles as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. Assessment must cover a minimum of three commonly available non-venomous reptile species.

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and responsibilities and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).