2018 Herpetology Internship Thailand [Snakes-Reptiles]

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1 2018 Herpetology Internship Thailand [Snakes-Reptiles] The setting for the snake / reptile study internship will take place at a wilderness resort location on the edge of dense primary Thailand rainforest on the Malayan Peninsula. You need not be a student to join the internship. [Last updated: 12 February 2018] Herpetology (Snake Reptile) Research & Experiential Internships in Thailand NOTE You need not be a student in a university to join this internship.

2 We will be offering the opportunity for up to 8 persons each month in 2018 and 2019 for April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November to stay in Southern Thailand with us to study and work with snakes (reptiles), amphibians, insects, or whatever you re interested in. We are especially interested in snakes and other reptiles, but welcome all. You need not be a student of biology or a conservation major at a university to take part in this unique learning environment. Most of our applicants are just graduating from high school and want to get more experience handling reptiles. Andy from Washington State, USA with a Triangle Keelback he found down near the mountain stream. Amazing colors, and this snake is a very common sight in our location. This is a unique opportunity for people 18 years and older who are interested in coming to Thailand for 7-60 days to learn as much as possible about snakes and other reptiles through your own research. (Species list here.) This primarily self-guided experience can be adapted to fit your needs. If you want to obtain a lot of experience finding snakes or other reptiles or wildlife in the rainforest we can focus on teaching you the skills needed to find them. If you want to become better at handling non-venomous or venomous snakes, we can help you accomplish that. We want to help you fulfill your goals and objectives while here. You will use this short time (typically 1-4 weeks per placement) to accomplish as much as possible. While we can suggest some general goals, each internship participant will come up with a list of objectives to complete during the internship.

3 SCHEDULE Sign up for these months in 2018 or At present you can sign up for weeks in the following months: 2018: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December 2019: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December ACCOMMODATION Participants in the program will be housed at a wilderness resort primarily. There will also be some short field-trips where we ll stay in bungalows or hotels elsewhere. Single bungalows, or if we have a group, we may get one of the large houses they are much more comfortable. Males with males, females with females. Your room will usually have a bed, table, chair, fan, hammock on the porch, and a porch or balcony. There are restrooms in each bungalow with hot water showers. Example of our bungalow style accommodations with hot-water shower at wildlife resort where internship takes place.

4 INTERN ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Basic Male or Female; 18 yrs or more; High school graduate; English (speaking). Can communicate effectively, professionally, and politely with others. Positive attitude and strong work ethic is necessary because occasionally hours will be long and it can be hot and humid. Interest Participants should have a very high interest in learning about snakes or other reptiles and wildlife local to the Krabi, Thailand area. Interns should have an insatiable desire to learn more because the opportunity is what makes this internship the best in the world. Background Comfortable handling non-venomous snakes and other reptiles on a daily basis, or willing to learn. We are really looking for people with a strong strong interest. College doesn t matter. Experience doesn t matter. The key is desire to learn. Physical Condition OK with hot and humid weather. June temperatures in our area are around C average. July around 28 C. October maybe 26 C. Participants should have no problem walking for hours on flat ground, and hiking up small mountains of 500 meters elevation occasionally. No limiting medical conditions. Healthy, with no life-threatening illnesses or allergies that may be exacerbated in Thailand. Insurance You will need comprehensive health insurance which covers your stay in Thailand, or, cash available to pay for treatment in case of major accident (around $8,000 USD). You ll be required to sign a waiver stating you have one or the other. Our Safety Record We have a flawless safety record. We re proud of that, and we take safety very seriously. We have never had anyone on our field trips bitten by a venomous snake and we ve been doing this since In the case of

5 emergency, we have well-equipped hospitals within a short drive. All hospitals are required by law to have anti-venom for common venomous snakes found in our area. Participants in the program will gain an incredible amount of knowledge and have some life-changing experiences including: skill and confidence in locating snakes and other reptiles in various habitats freshwater, saltwater mangroves, ground, trees, caves learn snake handling non-venomous and venomous snakes increased knowledge about snake behavior, hunting, feeding, diet, sleep, threat displays, striking, snakebite treatment participants will learn which snakes are the most venomous and the most dangerous and how to protect against bites dozens of hours in the field herping in the rainforest day and night rainforest photography / videography tips if requested TYPICAL DAY Interns will help with whatever research projects we are doing at the time. This is an intensive program with one rest day per week if doing 2 weeks or more. If here for one week it s straight through 7 days. We sometimes have excursions to field herp new wildlife locations -and we may need to travel by vehicle for a couple hours to reach the location. We have a number of herping spots close to us including primary forest, rubber tree plantation, grounds of the wilderness resort, national parks, caves, and mangrove areas. On a Daily Basis, Interns May: assist in the maintenance of a small temporary reptile collection

6 participate in day and night field trips document new animals found during field trips gain experience with non-venomous and venomous snakes, lizards, geckos, and other wildlife handle non-venomous, and mildly venomous snakes with the option to learn about handling venomous snakes under tightly controlled conditions log data online perform other duties keeping bungalows, clothes, supplies clean and in working order WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING? Herping in Thailand The Essentials. This is a helpful page that lists some of the essential clothing and tools you will want to bring with you for your internship. DEADLINE There is no set deadline. We may choose to accept interns at any time. It is better to send your application in as soon as possible. NOTE WE ALREADY HAVE PEOPLE APPLYING, AND WE HAVE ACCEPTED SOME APPLICANTS IN APPLY RIGHT NOW TO ENSURE YOU HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO GET IN DURING THE WEEKS YOU PREFER! Internship Fees One week $900 USD. Two weeks $1,800 Three weeks $2,600 Four weeks $3,200 Extra days are pro-rated. We think the fees are an incredible bargain considering you

7 cannot find anything like this reptile program in the world. Literally, there s nothing like it. Note, this doesn t say stipend, or salary, or income This is what you will need to pay to cover your costs. We are not funded by anyone. We have the great location and expertise, but no grants to cover all our expenses. Fees Include: Food 3 meals per day in the on-site restaurant or wherever we happen to be doing field trips. There is a $17 limit on food per person per day (200 THB per meal). Snacks and beverages not included. This has been more than enough for everyone (so far). Food is not expensive in Thailand. Room in a bungalow in our wilderness resort, or other hotels, bungalows, or in our home when convenient. Transportation (Krabi International Airport (KBV) and Bus Station Transfers). Instruction, guidance, supervision, assistance. Supplies (5 internship t-shirts, snake bags, etc.). A non-refundable deposit of 30% is to be paid upon acceptance. We can send an invoice by which you can pay using credit card, debit card, or e-check. It takes about 10 days to go through the system, so you will need to send by January 15th. MULTIPLE MONTHS? We may accept a candidate for two successive months (or possibly longer), but we must be notified well in advance that this is your intention. We will figure out a special price for you. CONTACT US HERE. Reptile Internship Application

8 send and address the following: Full name, gender, age, address, country of citizenship, . Any allergies, phobias, physical or mental illnesses? Please explain fully. Which day, month(s) and year would you like to start and for how long will you stay? Will you be coming as part of a group (two or more?) Would you like to stay longer than one month? Have you been in a jungle / rainforest environment before? Provide details when, for how long, where, doing what? What is your interest in snakes or reptiles in Thailand? Why would you like to join this reptile internship? What do you want to focus on and accomplish? Have you handled reptiles before? Venomous snakes? List species. If you are currently studying in a university, or have been what was your major, minor? What is your goal 5 years from now relating to reptiles? Anything else you would like to tell us or ask us? Showing some tourists one of the snakes in Thailand with very potent venom the Malayan Krait.

9 Vern with red-headed krait deadly and rare on a field trip down to a national park in Trang province. Elliot from the UK with a wolf snake found at the resort grounds while herping with us on a field trip.

10 David F. found this amazing Achrochordus granulatus in a river close by.