Herefordshire & Ludlow College’s Holme Lacy Campus, are excited to announce the introduction of a new range of short courses delivered by experienced reptile keeper David Howard.  

David has over 30 years’ experience of keeping and breeding reptiles, running his education animal encounter business, Roaming Reptiles, with his wife Lindsay, and his specialist reptile shop, Rainforest Exotics in Ross-on-Wye. He has built up his reputation with his strong ethical values on the sourcing of exotics and quality aftercare. A lifelong enthusiasm of reptiles continues to take David all over the world including numerous herpetology expeditions to Australia and Europe, to study these animals in their natural habitat. David has also made it onto the big screen by providing some of the snakes to the ‘Ten Deadliest Snakes’ with Nigel Marven series.

David commented, “Since starting Rainforest Exotics I’ve noticed the number of my customers who really appreciate accurate and reliable advice, especially when you cannot trust everything you find online. These courses allow me pass on the right, up-to-date information and avoid people making mistakes which can ultimately impact the welfare of the animal.”

Courses currently on offer include Introduction to Reptile Keeping, Intermediate Reptile Keeping and How to Create a Bio-active Enclosure. Held at the Holme Lacy Campus, candidates will have access to the Animal Care Unit with its range of exotic species such as water dragons, geckos, chameleon, iguana, snakes and other reptiles, amphibians and mammals.