Reptiles have roamed the earth for more than 230 million years. Ancestors of today’s snakes, lizards, crocodiles, alligators, turtles, and tortoises watched the rise and fall of the dinosaurs and the birth of mankind. Of course, these examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to diversity in the reptile world. There are more than 7,700 distinct species that fall into this class of animals, and each plays a critical role in healthy ecosystems.
Reptiles are necessary for the success of complex food chains. They keep rodent and insect populations under control, and they are an important source of protein for larger animals – including humans. Some cultures regularly include reptiles on the menu.
If you are already a fan of scaled and plated critters, you won’t need more convincing. Clearly, volunteering with reptiles is right for you. If your current relationship with reptiles is a bit more hands-off, this could be a chance to try something new. Sure, it’s tempting to concentrate on projects centered around cute and cuddly mammals – but don’t overlook opportunities to work with some of the planet’s most remarkable creatures.
Your contributions are sorely needed for rehabilitating sick and injured animals, preserving their habitats, and supporting the next generation as they make their start in the world. You may be stunned by the bond you form with your cold-blooded friends, and you are certain to leave your program with a sense of satisfaction and a deep appreciation for the world’s many reptile species.
Top Reptile Volunteer Abroad Programs
Sea Turtle Conservation with International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)
More than 103,000 volunteers have had the adventure of a lifetime through IVHQ, and the organization is a leader in the industry. Through years of experience, staff members have developed flawless programs that ensure your trip is smooth and safe. IVHQ partners with the communities it serves to maximize the impact of your contributions, so you can be sure you are leaving the place better than you found it.
IVHQ operates some of the world’s top sea turtle conservation projects, including opportunities in Bali, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. Sea turtles are particularly important members of the reptile family, because they balance fragile ocean ecosystems. In ecological language, they are a keystone species, which means their loss could drastically affect the health of oceans and beaches.
When you choose IVHQ’s Sea Turtle Conservation project in Bali, you will live and work on the island of Nusa Penida. You will gain hands-on experience caring for the turtles housed in the Conservation Center, and you will directly contribute to conservation efforts through beach cleanups and facilitation of educational activities in the local community. The island isn’t a common tourist destination, so there are no crowds to worry about. On your off hours, you can enjoy the beach, which is just steps from your lodging.
The Sea Turtle Conservation project in Costa Rica partners you with local biologists to study sea turtle populations along the coast. You could be located on the Pacific beaches in Ostional, Matapalo, or Junquillal, or you may be placed in Parismina, where you can enjoy warm Caribbean waters. Depending on the time of year, you may find yourself patrolling beaches to protect nests, building hatcheries to keep eggs safe from predators, counting and tagging turtles, or helping with other ecological tasks.
If you haven’t yet travelled to South America, the Sea Turtle Conservation project in Guatemala is an amazing opportunity. You’ll fall in love with the people, the culture, and the amazing cuisine. The project is located in a small town on the Pacific Coast, so you can get a glimpse of life in a Guatemalan fishing village. Specific tasks depend on the time of year you go, so you may find yourself relocating eggs to hatcheries or working on beach cleaning and reforestation. If you are very lucky, you may get to be there when the tiny turtles are released into the ocean. That’s a moment you will never forget.
Sri Lanka Turtle Conservation with Plan My Gap Year
Conservation of sea turtles is a significant issue, so many volunteer abroad organizations have projects dedicated to protecting these reptiles. Plan My Gap Year is another popular choice, because it has won awards based on its strong record for top-notch service, dedication to safety, and community responsibility.
When you travel to Sri Lanka with Plan My Gap Year’s Turtle Conservation project, you will be located near the coastal town of Ambalangoda. The main fishing port provides an important source of food and income for the local community, but sadly, it is quite common for sea turtles to get tangled in fishing nets. Much of your work will include rescue and rehabilitation of injured Green Turtles, and you may also have an opportunity to care for endangered Hawksbills, Olive Ridleys, and Leatherbacks.
As a volunteer, you will participate in a variety of additional activities related to the preservation of turtle species, including protecting eggs, designing community education materials, and cleaning trash and debris from the coastline. During off hours, you can tour the Ariyapala Masks Museum to see ancient ceremonial pieces, or you can stretch out on uncrowded beaches to get in some well-earned R&R.
Maximo Nivel’s Amphibian and Reptile Rescue Center Project
If your interests tend towards more exotic reptile species, you are in luck. Latin American specialist Maximo Nivel offers a unique volunteer abroad program in Guatemala. The Amphibian and Reptile Rescue Center of Antigua is committed to rescue, recovery, and relocation of creatures ranging from snakes and lizards of all sizes to massive alligators and crocodiles.
While your duties will primarily consist of partnering with local veterinarians to care for sick and injured reptiles until they are ready to be released back into the wild, you never know when things could get exciting. One volunteer’s experience was particularly memorable – he had the opportunity to participate in the capture of a crocodile who needed a bit of TLC.
Of course, there is plenty to do if you prefer a more hands-off approach. Volunteers are needed for cleaning and maintaining the Center, and you can get involved with hosting visitors, providing educational services, and giving tours.
When you aren’t working, check out the centuries-old architecture, or visit one of the surrounding volcanoes. The Chocolate Museum is a must-see, and you can’t miss the open-air markets where local artisans sell gorgeous traditional handicrafts.
Reptile Conservation in the Himalayas with Projects Abroad
Twenty-five years of experience puts Projects Abroad at the top of the list when it comes to easy travel, volunteer safety, and responsible programming. If you have always wanted to see the Himalayas for yourself, Projects Abroad’s Conservation Expedition in Nepal is right for you.
The purpose of this program is to study and protect the region’s diverse animal populations, including a variety of reptiles. You will work with community experts to set and monitor camera traps, and you will help with identifying and counting the species you locate. There are also opportunities for designing and delivering educational programs to community members, encouraging them to join conservation efforts.
The project is set in the Annapurna conservation area, and you will stay in the village of Ghandruk. Volunteers are housed in a family-operated hostel, so you have opportunities to connect with locals as well as meet other volunteers. Hiking and camping are popular pastimes, and you can look forward to some of the most glorious sunrises and sunsets in the world. Over the weekend, be sure to take a trip to Pokhara for paragliding, bungee jumping, and hot springs.
Reptile and Amphibian Diversity Research with Global Vision International (GVI)
The Costa Rican rainforest is known for its biodiversity, and researchers are always working to maintain the area’s ecology. When you join GVI’s Reptile and Amphibian Diversity Research project, you can make valuable contributions towards this goal.
In its 20+ year history, GVI has dedicated itself to designing projects that align with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The organization partners with member communities to ensure that your work makes a clear difference while simultaneously protecting the local way of life.
This particular program takes you deep inside Tortuguero National Park, where you will assist with monitoring the ecological health of the area by observing and recording the amphibians and reptiles you see. Volunteers often spot exotic creatures like the red-eyed tree frog or the eyelash palm pit viper in their natural habitats – an opportunity that you won’t find many places in the world.
Your home base is a solar-powered campsite, but that doesn’t mean you will lack for recreation during your off-hours. Explore the Caribbean beaches, take out a canoe, or enjoy getting to know local scientists and other international volunteers.
Komodo Dragon Conservation in Indonesia with GoEco
GoEco was created to connect service-oriented volunteers with the communities where their help is most needed. With more than 150 projects, this organization has been one of the most successful at developing safe, ethical programs that bring people from all over the world together. GoEco’s founders have put extra effort into filling niches that have long been overlooked. For example, it is one of the few volunteer abroad groups that has stepped in to support Komodo dragons.
Komodo dragons are the biggest reptiles on the planet. Weighing in at an average of 154 pounds (70 kilograms), they are also the heaviest. The largest ever recorded was a massive 10.3 feet (3.13 meters), with a weight of 366 pounds (166 kilograms). Most interesting of all, Komodo dragons are one of the few reptile species with a venomous bite. That gives them the power to take down large prey. These creatures can consume up to 80 percent of their body weight in a single meal, and their most common target is deer. However, they can move quickly for short periods, so they aren’t shy about trying for even bigger quarry. Some have been known to take down water buffalo.
Komodo dragon populations are only found on a few of the Indonesian islands, and as a species, they are considered vulnerable. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Komodo National Park is working hard on conservation, and more than 5,000 indigenous Komodo dragons make their home here. If you volunteer with GoEco’s Komodo Dragon Conservation, you will have a rare opportunity to see these reptiles up-close. You will partner with full-time rangers to lead tour groups, and you will participate in gathering data for critical conservation research.
Your home away from home is located in Labuan Bajo, where you will find amenities like grocery stores, laundry facilities, and restaurants. Each morning, you will take a boat to Komodo National Park, which is on an island, and you will return to the mainland every evening. You have your weekends to yourself, so it’s a great opportunity to visit the extraordinary Pink Beach or wander through the thick Indonesian forests.
Fronteering Gets You Hands-On with Reptiles at Home or Abroad
Arizona, United States
Some volunteers aren’t satisfied with tranquil travel experiences. They want to take their escapades to the extreme. If that sounds like you, Fronteering is a great fit. This organization specializes in creating adrenaline-pumping adventures while making a difference in host communities at the same time.
If you have always wanted to explore the United States’ Wild West, consider Fronteering’s Wild West Wildlife project. You will travel to the Arizona desert, where you can visit historical western towns and neighboring First Nations communities. Stand in awe at the edge of the Grand Canyon and explore the city of Phoenix.
A local host family will provide you with food and lodging while you are in Arizona, and during the day, you will work with wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center experts. You will pick up injured, sick, and orphaned creatures, help nurse them back to health, then release them into their native environments. You can expect to gain experience with lots of reptiles and birds, and from time to time, the Center cares for mammals as well.
Queensland, Australia
If you yearn for the land down under, Fronteering has just the right project for you. Volunteer at the Australia Zoo and Wildlife Hospital in Queensland, where you will play a critical role in protecting a variety of threatened and endangered wildlife.
This Hospital is one of the largest of its kind in the world, and it has treated more than 80,000 animals since it opened in 2004. Dedicated staff members are out in the field seven days a week, freeing turtles trapped in nets, collecting critters hit by cars, untangling birds from barbed wire, and conducting important research on population changes in native crocodiles, snakes, lizards, and skinks.
During your off-hours, you will have plenty of time to see Australia’s Sunshine Coast, home to multi-colored sand dunes, fantastic surfing, and an endless array of hiking trails.
Looking for More Inspiration?
If you’re ready to get your hands dirty on a fun and impactful volunteer adventure abroad, here are a few more recommendations for where to go and what to do!
Wildlife, Marine Animal, Veterinary, & Conservation Volunteer Abroad
Veterinary Volunteer Programs and Internships
Volunteer Abroad With Animals: African Savannah, Shark Conservation & More
Rachel Roderick · Guest Writer
Based in Rhode Island, Rachel researches and writes about volunteer, intern, and teach abroad programs worldwide. She has traveled to some of the world's most exciting destinations - including Iceland and South Africa - and in her spare time loves skydiving, rock climbing, and canoeing.