Reptiles have an incredible old world mysticism about them and, given that they’re a group of species that have been around for around 315 million years, it’s no surprise why. The major groups of reptiles are the turtles (Testudines), lizard-like tuatara (Rhynchocephalia), lizards and snakes (Squamata) and crocodiles (Crocodylia or Crocodilia). Because reptiles do not have feathers or fur to keep themselves warm and because they cannot sweat or pant to keep cool, they seek out sun or shade according to what they may need. Reptiles lifespans can be remarkably long. For example, large tortoises, like the Aldabra tortoise, can live for more than 150 years. Reptiles are also extremely helpful as natural pest control, many lizards control insects in homes and gardens and snakes are major predators of rodents. Yet species continue to be killed out of fear and many are hunted and killed for their shells or for their leather. In addition to conservation action, there is much need for re – education and a new appreciation for the wonderful creatures. We offer many programmes where you can volunteer with sea turtles, giant tortoises, caimans and crocodiles and snakes all around the world and play a part in protecting these magnificent species.
Wildlife conservation and community volunteer projects and internships worldwide
"Leatherback turtles are incredible creatures and I feel honoured and privileged to have been part of their conservation. I feel very lucky to have spent six weeks working with them. It was a very hands on project, helping to collect data about the turtles, their eggs and the nests, which was very rewarding."
Rhiannon, UK
Our Projects with Turtles & Reptiles
Playa Tortuga Conservation Volunteer Project, Costa Rica
- Duration 1 week to 6 months
- Prices from £470
Volunteer in Costa Rica and live and work in a biological research station and take part in sea turtle, butterfly, caiman, crocodile, tree boa, monkey and mammal research and environmental education. Coral reef restoration option available too.
Coral Reef Conservation & Diving Project, Thailand
- Duration 2 - 12 Weeks
- Prices from £1295
Join a marine and coral reef conservation project on Koh Phangan island in Thailand’s Samui archipelago. A great opportunity for students looking to gain diving and scientific research experience in a stunning tropical setting and kickstart a career in marine conservation.
Galapagos Conservation Volunteers
- Duration 2 to 12 Weeks
- Prices from £1465
Volunteer on a range of wildlife conservation and environmental projects on Isabela island, Galapagos. Join a dynamic team of volunteers and local staff while supporting the unique ecosystem of the Galapagos islands.
Coral Reef Restoration & Diving Project, Bali
- Duration 1 - 8 Weeks
- Prices from £779
Join our reef restoration mission in Bali! Empower local communities to bring new life to the northeast coast. As part of this reef restoration programme, help construct and deploy artificial reefs, dive up to 8 times a week to monitor progress, and be a part of restoring the beauty of Bali’s reefs.
Maldives Island Volunteer Project
- Duration 1-12 Weeks
- Prices from £1595
Volunteer in the Maldives and join marine conservation and medical projects within the tropical island of Naifaru, the capital of the Lhaviyani Atoll. Add on coral reef restoration diving available, as well as student vet and family opportunities available.
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Volunteer Programme, Costa Rica
- Duration 2 -12 weeks
- Prices from £685
Volunteer in Costa Rica and become a sea turtle volunteer, helping to conserve and protect the populations of vulnerable Olive Ridleys. Located on the spectacular Pacific coast where Olive Ridley turtles come up in thousands at a time for this phenomenon of nature called ‘arribadas’.
Deep Ecology and Sea Turtle Conservation Programme, Costa Rica
- Duration 1 week - 6 months
- Prices from £433
Volunteer at this agro-ecological farm and sea turtle conservation project on the stunning Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica.
Great Barrier Reef Conservation Project, Australia
- Duration 2-4 Weeks
- Prices from £2075
Join a marine conservation internship in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Help to protect this amazing natural wonder and develop your conservation and research skills alongside experienced marine biologists.
Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer Project, Greece
- Duration 2-4 Weeks
- Prices from £619
Volunteer to protect endangered sea turtles in Greece while getting hands-on field research experience, meeting new people and exploring the Kefalonian coast.
Amazon Forest Rangers Volunteer Programme, Peru
- Duration 1+ Weeks
- Prices from £770
Volunteer or intern in Peru and have the rare opportunity to work as a forest ranger, gaining experience in patrolling vulnerable areas and monitoring wildlife.
Seychelles Island Conservation Volunteer Programme
- Duration 2-4 Weeks
- Prices from £708
Join various island and tropical wildlife conservation projects within the beautiful Nature Reserve on Cousin Island in the Seychelles. These projects are aimed at conserving the natural environment of the island that include sea turtle monitoring, bird ringing, habitat conservation and censuses of tortoises, skinks and geckos.
Pacific Sea Turtle Volunteer Project, Costa Rica
- Duration 1 - 12 weeks
- Prices from £430
Volunteer with sea turtles in Costa Rica on our Olive, Green and Hawksbill Ridley turtle research programme on the spectacular Pacific coast of Costa Rica on the amazing Playa Hermosa, at Punta Mala beach.
"During my stay, I had the opportunity to feed the tortoises at the breeding center, to see the birth of baby tortoises and even to measure them. I also really enjoyed my free afternoons to visit the islands, to go on excursions around the island and to simply relax on the beach."
Sandrine Brunet, Switzerland
"Leatherback turtles are incredible creatures and I feel honoured and privileged to have been part of their conservation. I feel very lucky to have spent six weeks working with them. It was a very hands on project, helping to collect data about the turtles, their eggs and the nests, which was very rewarding."
Rhiannon, UK
"Wow, what a country! Costa Rica is by far the most beautiful country I have ever visited, filled with jungles, beaches and so much wildlife! I had a brilliant stay at the reserve where I learned so much about the various species of animals both in the jungle and on the beach."
Fenja, UK
Basic Facts
Turtles are largely omnivores, surviving often on a combination of land and water-based sustenance. Some species, like the snapping alligator turtle, also eat snakes, frogs, clams, crayfish and even other turtles. In terms of reproduction, while in captivity turtles can mate all year round but in the wild this is often confined to a 3-5 month period each year. The gestation period is between 6-10 weeks depending on the species and at the end of this turtles travel onto land to lay their eggs. The nests can have on average, around 110 eggs, though this can vary between 70 and 190 depending on the species. Turtles may often strike you as old creatures, for instance, scientists say that leatherback sea turtles that you can volunteer with in Grenada, have been around since the time of the dinosaurs! Click the image above to watch a clip to see the first 2 minutes of a baby hatchling’s life at our Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer Project in Greece.
Did You Know?
- Turtles reach the age to mate at different times? Some come of age as young as a few years old, while others don’t reach sexual maturity until around 50 years has passed.
- The temperature of the sand affects the sex of the turtle? The perfect beach temperature produces an equal number of male and female offspring, however a higher temperature results in the birth of more females.
- Crocodiles are more closely related to birds than they are to lizards?
- Female turtles return to the same nesting area or beach where they were born to lay eggs, even if they have been away for 30 years after being born there.
Conservation Threats
Like many marine species, pollution and climate change pose serious threats to the turtles. For example warmer water temperatures can alter the sex of offspring – increasing the percentage of female eggs. In addition various types of turtles are poached for commercial reasons including sale of their meat and use of their shells for goods. Other reptiles, like crocodiles, also face serious threat of poaching for the acquisition of leather and various reptiles are used for medical testing. All reptiles struggle, like most species, with increasing habitat destruction and an overall lack of concern with conservation efforts from various societies.
We offer you the chance to volunteer with sea turtles and other reptiles in various part of the world, and to play your part in helping to protect them and their habitats.