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Internship Reptile Keeper Jobs (NOW HIRING)

fwzoo

Forest and Jungles Mammal Supervisor

Fort Worth, TX

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... assigned zoo keeping staff, interns and volunteers for all areas of collection care and ... reptile experience, experience with incubators or hand rearing) Physical Demands: While performing ...

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Internship Reptile Keeper information

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$9

$18

$24

How much do internship reptile keeper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship reptile keeper in the United States is $18.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $19.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an internship reptile keeper do?

An Internship Reptile Keeper assists experienced staff in the care, feeding, and daily maintenance of reptiles in zoos, aquariums, or wildlife centers. Interns typically help clean enclosures, prepare diets, monitor animal health, and sometimes assist with educational programs for visitors. This role provides valuable hands-on experience working with reptiles and learning about their behavior, biology, and husbandry. It's a great opportunity for those interested in animal care, conservation, or zoology careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship reptile keeper, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Reptile Keeper, you generally need a background in biology or zoology, basic animal husbandry knowledge, and a passion for reptile care. Familiarity with animal enclosures, feeding protocols, and data tracking systems is often required, and certifications in animal handling or first aid can be beneficial. Attention to detail, strong observation skills, and effective teamwork are important soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure the well-being of reptiles, support educational and conservation goals, and maintain a safe environment for both animals and staff.

What is the difference between Internship Reptile Keeper vs Reptile Keeper?

AspectInternship Reptile KeeperReptile Keeper
CredentialsTypically no formal certification required; some may have related courseworkRelevant certifications or experience preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often educational or conservation-focused facilitiesFull-time or part-time work at zoos, aquariums, or reptile sanctuaries
ResponsibilitiesAssisting with daily care, learning procedures, gaining experienceFeeding, habitat maintenance, health monitoring
Industry UsageEntry-level, training position for aspiring reptile professionalsProfessional role with ongoing responsibilities

In summary, an Internship Reptile Keeper is a training position designed for gaining experience, while a Reptile Keeper is a full-time role with established responsibilities. Both roles are essential in reptile care but differ mainly in experience level and job scope.

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Internship Reptile Keeper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Reptile Keeper job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 12% Internship, 63% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,674 per year, or $18.1 per hour.

Ambassador Animal Keeper I - Temporary

The Living Planet Aquarium

Draper, UT • On-site

$17/hr

Full-time, Temporary

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Position: Ambassador Animals Keeper I - Temporary

Reports To: Curator of Ambassador Animal Programs

Salary starting at: $17.00/hr


Why Utah?

Utah is home to five national parks, world-class skiing and snowboarding, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and stunning deserts, mountains, and lakes, all within easy driving distance. Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life. The Salt Lake Valley consistently ranks high for safety, clean communities, short commute times, and family-friendly amenities. Draper offers a balance of suburban comfort and urban access, with downtown Salt Lake City just 15 minutes away. Enjoy all four seasons without extremes—sunny summers, colorful falls, snowy winters, and mild springs, perfect for both outdoor recreation and city living. Utah’s communities are known for being engaged, supportive, and service-oriented, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home.

About Loveland Living Planet Aquarium:

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA) is a mission-driven institution dedicated to inspiring people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Founded in 1997, the Aquarium provides impactful educational experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds.

Since opening its Draper, Utah facility in 2014, LLPA has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and delivered over 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium features immersive habitats from around the world, including coral reefs, kelp forests, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, tropical rainforests, Asian cloud forests, and Utah’s freshwater ecosystems.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019, LLPA is in an exciting phase of growth. With the opening of the Sam and Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center, the Aquarium became the largest in the Mountain West and the fifth largest aquarium in the continental United States, offering expanded opportunities for education, research, and professional impact.

Position Summary:

This position is for an entry level keeper responsible for the care and wellbeing of the Aquarium’s Education and Ambassador animal collections. This consists of a diverse array of species including raptors and other birds, small mammals, herptiles, and invertebrates. Areas of focus include animal care, training animals for guest presentations and shows, directly presenting animals to guests, and teaching Education team members effective animal handling skills.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Cleaning and maintenance of equipment, supplies, animal habitats, and support spaces associated with the Education and Ambassador animal collections.
  • Monitoring and maintaining appropriate environmental parameters for the Education and Ambassador animal collection.
  • Providing high level animal care and nutrition to all animals within the Education and Ambassador animal collection.
  • Monitoring and assisting in responding to signs of illness/injury, stress, or other factors that may impact animal health and wellbeing.
  • Maintaining all necessary records and reviewing those records regularly in support of ensuring excellent animal care.
  • Responsible for supporting institutional and industry best practice standards and procedures.
  • Supporting excellent animal wellbeing through providing enriching environments interactions and behaviors supporting animal health
  • Utilizing training best practices to develop and maintain behaviors within the Education and Ambassador animal collections for situations including presentation to guests, off-site travel, and animal shows with free-flight birds.
  • Working closely with the Education Team to train and maintain best practice animal handling behaviors in support of the Aquarium’s mission to inspire.
  • Participating directly in animal presentations and shows as part of an expanding Ambassador program.

Experience and Qualifications:

  • Two or four-year degree in zoological or biological sciences. Candidates with a suitable combined equivalent of education and hands-on experience will be considered.
  • Minimum 6 months of internship or paid experience in an area of animal care at a zoological facility.
  • Candidates with prior experience working in one of the following fields will be viewed favorably: reptile and amphibian husbandry, animal behavior, ambassador animals, falconry or other raptor experience.


Critical Competencies:

  • Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working with birds, herptiles, or small mammals.
  • Good interpersonal verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
  • Maintaining a consistent professional attitude, high motivation, and ability to accept feedback.
  • Interest in developing good time management practices, new skills, and demonstrated desire for growth.
  • Knowledge of ZIMS software is a plus.


Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

  • Valid Utah driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire.
  • Must possess current, negative TB test results or obtain prior to start date.


Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

  • Outdoor and indoor environments in varying weather conditions including: elevated platforms, aquarium habitats, uneven surfaces, enclosed spaces, underwater environments, noisy workspaces.
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs, ability to swim, ability to stand for long periods of time, ability to walk up and down ladders, ability to work with various cleaning chemicals, ability to operate power tools or heavy machinery, ability to drive aquarium vehicles.


The Living Planet Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or military status. The Living Planet Aquarium is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process. Should you require accommodations, please contact accommodation@livingplanetaquarium.org.