Herpetology Intern (Unpaid)

This unpaid herpetology intern position is geared towards those interested in day-to-day operations that occur within the herpetoculture department at the South Carolina Aquarium. The intern will have the opportunity to learn about and participate in husbandry practices and behavioral management of the South Carolina Aquarium’s native reptile and amphibian collection. The intern will assist staff with all aspects of daily animal care including husbandry, training, and enrichment design. Additionally, opportunities to learn reptile and amphibian handling, operant conditioning, and assist in cooperative projects with other animal care galleries, collect specimens in the field, and more will be available. This internship is intended for candidates with previous animal experience, herps preferred, that would like experience with captive managed reptile and amphibian populations in a formal AZA certified animal care setting.

Learning Objectives:

• Follow aquarium safety and animal protocols
• Become familiar with AZA animal care and welfare standards
• Develop an understanding of species natural history and functional behaviors
• Understand environmental enrichment using the SPIDER method
• Understand behavioral training using operant conditioning
• Understand non-profit organization operations
• Develop animal care, cleaning, and restraint/capture skills
• Understand and execute enrichment and training techniques
• Work on an independent enrichment project
• Learn and follow proper feeding procedures and techniques in caring for animals, and ensure daily care of animals
• Be able to recognize signs of disease and understand the purpose of quarantine
• Professionally represent The South Carolina Aquarium on the floor for visitors from around the world

Commitment & Qualifications:

• Length of internship: 6 months
• Hours per week: 24-35
• College undergraduate or recent post-undergraduate preferred
• Any major in Natural Science preferred

Additional Skills:

• Proficient in the basic use of computers including Microsoft Suite. Intern will be trained on the use of our databases; prior database experience is a plus.
• Clear communication skills during the planning, implementation and execution of projects.
• Flexible and comfortable in an open-plan workspace that is constantly energetic and dynamic
• Ability to work independently; demonstrating the ability to be a proactive problem-solver strongly desired.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Unpaid; housing not included
• College credit may be available through your university
• Professional development workshops
• Ability to earn aquarium tickets and a reciprocity pass to area attractions

Physical Requirements: 

Often requires walking, standing, and bending. Regularly requires stooping, crouching, climbing ladders/steps, carrying up to 50 lbs., sitting, kneeling, balancing, pushing and pulling, crawling, working with tools, and working in tight spaces

Internship dates and hours

• Six months, 24 hours per week minimum requirement
• Start date: June 2026
• End date: December 2026
• Weekly schedule varies but hours are generally 8AM-4PM, 3-4 days a week, with the potential of working one weekend day a week.