SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate understanding of the basic needs of herpetofauna in captivity 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261577  Demonstrate understanding of the basic needs of herpetofauna in captivity 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Animal Protection Standards 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The keeping of herpetofauna in captivity for both commercial and non-commercial purposes has created an ever growing trade in South Africa. This situation has created numerous welfare concerns for these animals and animal protection inspectors will encounter such situations during the execution of their daily duties. It has therefore become imperative that animal protection officers have a basic understanding of the welfare, housing, feed and behavioural needs of the main categories of herpetofauna within the trade.

This unit standard addresses these needs, and learners credited with it will be able to:
  • Identify the different herpetofauna families most often found in the industry.
  • Explain the term "herpetofauna" and features that distinguish them from mammals.
  • Identify the relevant legislation regarding the capture, sale and keeping of herpetofauna.
  • Assess the trade in herpetofauna.
  • Evaluate the condition of both the individual animal and its housing when in captivity. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Communication at NQF Level 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify the different herpetofauna families most often found in the industry. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Including but not limited to snakes, tortoises, lizards, geckos and chameleons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different types of herpetofauna families are identified and classified according to their specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Specie-specific natural requirements are identified for specific families. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Housing, feeding and welfare requirements are described for different species of captive herpetofauna. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the term "herpetofauna" and features that distinguish them from mammals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term "herpetofauna" is defined according to generally accepted definitions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The key differences between herpetofauna and mammals are identified in terms of their main features. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify the relevant legislation regarding the capture, sale and keeping of herpetofauna. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Relevant legislation is identified and explained in relation to its application for herpetofauna. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The capture, sale and keeping of herpetofauna is described in accordance with relevant legislation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Assess the trade in herpetofauna. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The legal trade in herpetofauna is described according to relevant legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Illegal trade in herpetofauna is described according to relevant legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Welfare issues for herpetofauna are identified for both the legal and illegal trade. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The impact of unwanted 'pet' herpetofauna is described in terms of the indigenous biodiversity and the welfare issues that are associated with it. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Evaluate the condition of both the individual animal and its housing when in captivity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Methods for assessing the physical condition of herpetofauna are identified and explained in terms of their operation and common results. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Hygiene requirements of herpetofauna are identified for specific family types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Common diseases and conditions inflicting herpetofauna are given for specific family types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Zoonotic diseases are explained in terms of their impact on specific herpetofauna. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Methods are identified in which to assess the suitability of welfare and housing standards of individual animals in captivity. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessment of this unit standard should be contextual and practical.
  • Assessors and moderators must be registered with the relevant accredited ETQA.
  • Assessors should be in possession of a relevant qualification that is at least one level higher than the level of this unit standard or have at least 5 years relevant practical experience.
  • Training providers must be accredited by a relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment should include both formative and summative assessment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Knowledge of herpetofauna, their behaviour patterns, and needs in terms of feeding, housing and enrichment of their environment.
  • Ability to identify occupational health and safety matters and be able to react on them. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking when making decisions evaluating the condition of animals and their environments. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when marshalling the facts in readiness to give explanations required. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information when preparing to explain the trade, and, the characteristics and needs of the various species. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual and language skills when explaining various aspects of herpetofauna. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems when explaining the impact of unwanted "pet" herpetofauna on the indigenous biodiversity and the welfare issues associated with it. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65229   Further Education and Training Certificate: Animal Protection  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  LG SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.