Exotic Animal Care Course Overview
The Exotic Animal Care Course provides specialist exotic pet education for anyone interested in unusual and less commonly kept animals. Reptiles, amphibians, birds and small mammals have species-specific needs that differ significantly from those of cats and dogs. This course helps you understand what makes these animals unique and how responsible exotic pet care supports their health and welfare.
Through this online exotic animal care course, you will explore suitable housing, nutrition, handling and environmental management for different species. You will also learn about essential equipment, hygiene, biosecurity, common health concerns and warning signs that may require veterinary attention.
This course is ideal for pet owners, pet-shop employees, animal care workers and learners searching for flexible exotic animal courses online. It provides a foundation for further exotic animal care training, practical experience or specialist study, including an exotic animal handler certification. The knowledge may also support those interested in becoming an exotic animal keeper or exotic animal trainer.
Learning Outcomes
By completing this course, you will be able to:
Identify the welfare needs of different exotic species.
Explain how natural habitats influence captive environments.
Plan suitable housing and enclosures for exotic pets.
Describe safe handling methods that minimise animal stress.
Understand appropriate diets and feeding routines.
Recognise common health problems and signs of illness.
Apply suitable hygiene, biosecurity and safety procedures.
Support animal wellbeing through responsible exotic animal care.
Extra Included:
- Free Accredited Course Certificate.
- Free Course Included > Wildlife Rehabilitator: Rescue & Rehabilitation
Course Media
What You’ll Gain from Exotic Animal Care Course
Core Principles of Animal Welfare
Understand the welfare principles that apply across different species and how they support ethical exotic animal husbandry.
Exotic Animal Health and Hygiene
Recognise visible signs of poor health and understand how cleaning, disinfection and preventative care protect animals and carers.
Zoonotic Disease Awareness
Learn how certain diseases can pass between animals and humans, including the role of hygiene, personal protective equipment and biosecurity.
First Aid for Exotic Animals
Develop basic first aid awareness for emergencies involving exotic species and understand when professional veterinary assistance is required.
Caring for Horses
Explore fundamental horse-care requirements, including daily routines, nutrition, housing and basic health monitoring.
Bird Care Essentials
Understand the dietary, environmental and behavioural needs of pet and exotic birds.
Rabbit and Guinea Pig Care
Learn about appropriate accommodation, nutrition, safe handling and enrichment for rabbits and guinea pigs.
Small Exotic Mammal Care
Explore the housing, feeding and welfare requirements of chipmunks, chinchillas, degus and other less commonly kept mammals.
Ornamental Fish Care
Understand water quality, tank conditions, feeding and routine health observation for ornamental fish.
Amphibian and Reptile Care
Explore species-specific housing, temperature, humidity, lighting and feeding requirements for amphibians and reptiles.
CPD-Accredited Certificate
Receive a CPD-accredited exotic animal care certificate after successful completion. This can support your CV and continuing professional development.
Career-Related Knowledge
Build theoretical knowledge relevant to zoos, pet shops, animal centres, rescues and veterinary settings. This exotic pet care course can also support progression towards further practical training and specialist animal care roles.
Assesment
After completing all the modules of the course, your learning will be assessed by an automated multiple choice question exam. You can participate in the Mock Exam prior to commence the course completion Final Exam.
Who is this course for?
The Exotic Animal Care is CPD Accredited, making it ideal for anyone trying to learn potential professional skills. The course is available for all students regardless of any academic background. No experience or qualification is required.
Why Should You Choose this Course
from Animal Care
At The Animal Care, we’re committed to helping you become more confident, capable, and informed—whether you’re a pet owner or aspiring to work with animals professionally. Our courses are crafted by experts and cover everything from pet behaviour and nutrition to grooming and first aid.
What sets us apart? You’ll receive CPD-accredited certification at no extra cost, along with lifetime access to all your learning materials. This means you can study at your own pace, revisit content anytime, and gain recognised credentials without added fees.
Thousands of learners trust The Animal Care for reliable, up-to-date, and easy-to-follow training that fits into real life. Whether you’re caring for your own dog or cat, or preparing to start a career in animal care, we provide the knowledge and confidence you need to do it well.
Requirements
No previous experience is required to enrol in this course. You can access the course from any kind of e-device anytime, anywhere.
Exotic Animal Care Career Paths and Salaries
Animal Keeper / Zookeeper
Provides daily animal husbandry, feeding, enrichment and enclosure maintenance while monitoring the welfare of domestic and exotic species.
Salary = £20,572 per year on average
Reptile / Aquatics Care Assistant
Completes feeding, watering, health and husbandry checks while cleaning and maintaining reptile enclosures and aquatic systems.
Salary = £19,000 to £23,000 per year
Exotic Animal Veterinary Nurse
Supports veterinary surgeons in caring for reptiles, birds, small mammals and other non-traditional patients. This career requires approved veterinary nursing training and professional registration.
Salary = £24,000 to £40,000 per year
Exotic Animal Veterinary Surgeon
Diagnoses and treats medical and surgical conditions affecting exotic animals. Becoming a veterinary surgeon requires an approved veterinary degree and professional registration.
Salary = £35,780 to £62,615 per year, with an average of approximately £50,533
Zoo Veterinarian
Provides preventative healthcare, emergency treatment, nutrition planning and reproductive support for zoo animals, including endangered species.
Salary = £35,780 to £62,615 per year, with an average of approximately £50,533
Wildlife Rehabilitator / Exotic Disease Control Officer
Supports the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife or assists with responses to exotic and notifiable disease outbreaks at animal facilities and import locations.
Salary = £18,000 to £23,000 per year
Salary figures are estimates and may vary according to experience, location, employer and responsibilities. This course provides theoretical knowledge but does not replace the regulated qualifications, professional registration or practical experience required for veterinary and specialist roles.
Course Curriculum
| Module 01: Introduction to the Care and Animal Welfare of All Species | |||
| Introduction to the Care and Animal Welfare of All Species | 00:26:00 | ||
| Module 02: Basic Animal Health | |||
| Basic Animal Health | 00:22:00 | ||
| Module 03: Hygiene | |||
| Hygiene | 00:22:00 | ||
| Module 04: First Aid for Animals | |||
| First Aid for Animals | 00:25:00 | ||
| Module 05: Exotic Animals and Zoonotic Diseases | |||
| Exotic Animals and Zoonotic Diseases | 00:19:00 | ||
| Module 06: Learning about Horses | |||
| Learning about Horses ART | 00:24:00 | ||
| Module 07: Learning about Birds | |||
| Learning about Birds | 00:22:00 | ||
| Module 08: Caring Rabbits & Guinea-Pigs | |||
| Caring Rabbits & Guinea-Pigs | 00:18:00 | ||
| Module 09: Care of Chipmunks, Chinchillas and Degus | |||
| Care of Chipmunks, Chinchillas and Degus | 00:55:00 | ||
| Module 10: More about Ornamental Fish | |||
| More about Ornamental Fish | 00:28:00 | ||
| Module 11: Taking Care of Amphibians | |||
| Taking Care of Amphibians | 00:18:00 | ||
| Module 12: Specific information on Reptiles | |||
| Specific information on Reptiles | 00:21:00 | ||
| Mock Exam | |||
| Mock Exam – Exotic Animal Care | 00:20:00 | ||
| Final Exam | |||
| Final Exam – Exotic Animal Care | 00:20:00 | ||
| Order Your Certificate | |||
| Order Your Certificate | 00:00:00 | ||
Certification
Once you’ve successfully completed this course, you can obtain the Digital (PDF) Certificate for only £4.99. Also, you can have your printed certificate delivered by post for only £9.99 (FREE POSTAGE). With these affordable pricing on certificates, we’re also offering the PDF Transcript for £2.99.
Also, you can have your printed transcript delivered by post for only £7.99 (FREE POSTAGE). All of our courses are fully accredited, providing you with up-to-date skills and knowledge and helping you to become more competent and effective in your chosen field. Our certifications have no expiry dates, although we do recommend that you renew them every 12 months.
Reviews
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Renee W. Johnston
Jan 24, 2025
The final assessment is done today. theanimalcare.org is a useful site. Highly appreciating the exceptional content.
Susan J. Kalinowski
Feb 05, 2025
I found the courses very informative so far. A care is the first platform I am writing a review for. To the newbies- before taking an online course try to gather some info about the provider, a professional platform with top accreditation will be a good choice.
Charles A. Fischer
Jan 24, 2025
Simply amazing. Took few courses during my vacation and all were good. Online courses save time and money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this course is suitable for beginners. It is designed to guide learners step by step, making it accessible even if you have no prior knowledge or experience. The content starts with foundational concepts and gradually progresses to more detailed topics.
Many of our animal care courses include credentials from recognised institutions or industry partners. While they may not replace formal veterinary qualifications, they are widely respected by employers in animal shelters, kennels, and pet care businesses
This course helps build relevant knowledge and confidence that can support career development, professional upskilling, or personal interest. It is suitable for learners who want to improve their understanding, enhance employability, or gain practical insight related to the subject area.
No previous experience is required. Our beginner-friendly courses are designed for anyone with a passion for working with animals. You’ll gain practical knowledge and confidence through structured, easy-to-follow modules.
Absolutely. Our courses are built to provide real-world skills that employers value. Whether you’re aiming to become a kennel assistant, pet groomer, or animal behaviourist, our programmes help you take the first steps towards a rewarding career in animal care.
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