A scaly business
David Williams (above) believes his varied employment background has made him the perfect candidate to take on a travelling reptile show.
Completing a Certificate II in Animal Studies through a registered training organisation is the first step to becoming a reptile keeper. Courses such as this are designed for people wanting to work as an animal attendant or carer in kennels, catteries, pounds and welfare centres, quarantine establishments, zoological and fauna parks, wildlife refuges, research centres, pet shops and commercial animal production enterprises. Graduates from the animal studies course can apply for advanced standing in the Certificate III in Captive Animals and Certificate IV course in Veterinary Nursing. Further study at university level can lead to a career as a herpetologist and involve more indepth study of reptiles in general or one species or breed in particular. Those who want to be keepers or handlers should get as much experience as possible first. ALICIA NALLY those skills become really helpful,” Mr Williams said.
“There’s not a lot of opportunities for work like this outside of zoos.”
Reptile handlers typically help in the care and study of animals like snakes, crocodiles and lizards and many take on an educational role, teaching the public about the wildlife.
For Mr Williams, who is often on the road with his mobile show, travel is the best and worst part of the job.
“It can be good because I see a lot of Queensland and meeting people all the time is wonderful. But sometimes you just want to be at home,” he said.
“For me though, it’s more a lifestyle than a job. I keep saying I don’t do this, I’m going to have to go get a real job.”
The downside, as for most self-employed people, is the sometimes limited income.
Mr Williams will only earn money when someone wants to book his show.
And, there is the risk of being bitten or scratched by his scaly workmates.
“I’ve only been bitten by a non-venomous snake a dozen times which isn’t bad. I’ve never been bitten by a bad one but I’ve had a couple of nips from a crocodile,” Mr Williams said.
The unusual animals also elicit different responses from the public. Some people are frightened just by the sign on his car while other daredevils love being photographed with the reptiles.