How do i get a job working with snakes?

[dpeica]

Originally Posted by redbellybite

Brian you need to get in contact with your national parks and wildlife head office branch they will inform you of how you can get a damage mitigation license and who is your local dml holder in your area this is something you can do in your spare time and on weekends the local council and police dep will get your number after you get your license and when ever they get someone wanting a snake removed they give your number and so on .........its a start and you will get to know alot about the behaviour and carry ons of the reptile i am not sure wether you would get alot in your area as you didnt say wether you live in a built up area or a scrubby type area most common species found around western sydney would be your browns they seem to adjust to human habitat quite easily ,but pays to find out what else you could come across aswell.........RBB

You're wrong.
You have to join Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services or WIRES and you don't get paid.

[redbellybite]

well then who is stupid enough to go out on calls and not get paid for it ????????????BRIAN move to QLD then mate ...........RBB...i got mine through QUEENSLAND PARKS AND WILDLIFE

[redbellybite]

well then who is stupid enough to go out on calls and not get paid for it ????????????BRIAN move to QLD then mate ...........RBB...i got mine through QUEENSLAND PARKS AND WILDLIFE and i do charge so do many other catchers that i know of ...........we dont get a fortune but nothing is for free either.

[dpeica]

Better than them getting the shovel..good to see not all herpers are money driven...oh wait..

[redbellybite]

its not about money i certainly dont make a killing on it but its common sense most times when i get called out which could be anytime day or night i am at least driving 150km round trip or more at the cost of fuel these days i am not a charity case ...........if you do it for free thats your choice but dont start your crap with me the people that ring me are most happy to pay the minimal amount i charge just for the fact that the animal is removed safely and i do a proper check on property and explain on where i think it got in, if inside, give them a safety talk on what to do if outside and come across a snake etc i dont just go in take the snake and leave they get educated as well and 99% time are most grateful .........RBB

[Ryan93]

Originally Posted by redbellybite

its not about money i certainly dont make a killing on it but its common sense most times when i get called out which could be anytime day or night i am at least driving 150km round trip or more at the cost of fuel these days i am not a charity case ...........if you do it for free thats your choice but dont start your crap with me the people that ring me are most happy to pay the minimal amount i charge just for the fact that the animal is removed safely and i do a proper check on property and explain on where i think it got in, if inside, give them a safety talk on what to do if outside and come across a snake etc i dont just go in take the snake and leave they get educated as well and 99% time are most grateful .........RBB

Thats the way mate its all about loving the snakes and hey if i was educated by someone removing a snake (if i didnt like them but fortunitly i do) i would pay them too. So hey good job and i would do anything to help someone out aswell.

[mebebrian]

Yeah just had a look at the npw nsw site and couldnt find much. Im more than willing to help out the animals part time for free. If i won lotto for example id do it full time for no charge, but i just bought a house so i need to earn a living.
Ah well looks like i'll stick to my day job and join wires soon as i can get into a course. And build up my knowledge a bit.
Thanks for your ideas all

[Ryan93]

unless you go to uni and become a herpetologist like i do or even do zooology

[Beano05]

You might want to look at becoming a ranger or working at a zoo, but you will need to do a degree in environmental science or something similar and during that degree putting in a lot of volunteer hours along the way for experience. This is the way I am doing it as park rangers are hard to get into.
I have friends that work in these area's and they tell me it don't really pay well as it is a lifestyle job.

[lozza]

Even if you do spend the time/money going to uni it doesn't guarantee you a job with animals.
I have a zoology degree and there isn't that many jobs around in the zoo keeping area and occasionally when a position does get advertised there are literally hundreds of applicants. Most jobs in that field are with Environmental Consultancy places etc where you don't really get to be hands on with animals - all report writing etc. And if you want to be a researcher out in the field you generally have to do postgrad courses such as a PhD.
In NSW you have to volunteer with WIRES for relocation/rescues.

[mebebrian]

I left school soon as i could so i dont think a uni degree is for me.Im a hands on kinda guy so ill prob just stick to Wires for now and get breeding soon as i can.
Are there any courses aside from uni and Wires avilable involving snake/reptile care?

[Jen]

Maybe volunteer at a reptile vet surgery?

[redbellybite]

its ashame Brian that we dont have the same laws in each state.....Queensland have one of the strictest in getting a DML but seem alot more fair then NSW once you obtain one it is reviewed every 6 months so its not like they are not keeping an eye out for you do the right thing by them and they do the right thing by you , so all I can suggest is mate do it through wires and take it from there......best of luck RBB.