Reptile Husbandry Internship - Paid & Hands-On

Caldwell Zoo; Tyler (TX); On-site; USD 15,000 - 16,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Housing available (with deduction)

Job summary

Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX offers a Spring 2027 paid internship in Animal Husbandry within the Reptile Department. Interns gain hands-on experience in reptile care, behavior, nutrition, and habitat maintenance alongside experienced staff.

The program covers daily husbandry, preventive health care, and safety protocols, with opportunities to shadow multiple departments and engage with guests. Typical schedule is weekdays, 7:00 a.m.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older
• Sophomore in college or higher class
• Overall GPA 2.5 or higher
• Background check required
• Negative TB test documentation required
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds and work outdoors in varying weather conditions

Responsibilities

• Safe methods of exotic animal handling and restraint
• Animal behavior, husbandry, and record keeping
• Animal nutrition, including preparation and distribution of diets
• Preventative medicine and disease treatment
• Habitat maintenance and environmental monitoring (temperature & humidity)
• Water quality testing and changes
• Cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures
• Visitor relations and guest engagement
• Knowledge of and adherence to all emergency procedures and safety protocols
• Observe animal medical procedures when permitted
• Attend Veterinary Department meetings
• Assist keepers with daily husbandry tasks and departmental projects
• Shadow up to five additional Zoo departments to gain exposure to other areas of zoological operations

Skills

Exotic animal handling

Animal behavior

Animal nutrition

Preventative medicine

Habitat maintenance

Water quality testing

Enclosure cleaning

Guest engagement

Safety procedures

Lifting 40 pounds

Outdoor work

Observe medical procedures

Vet department meetings

Husbandry tasks

Shadow other departments

Job description

Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX offers a Spring 2027 paid internship in Animal Husbandry within the Reptile Department. Interns gain hands-on experience in reptile care, behavior, nutrition, and habitat maintenance alongside experienced staff.

The program covers daily husbandry, preventive health care, and safety protocols, with opportunities to shadow multiple departments and engage with guests. Typical schedule is weekdays, 7:00 a.m.