Melbourne's Mobile Zoo | Josh Cox | About Reptile Encounters
Close Video
WATCH VIDEO

ABOUT US

Scroll Down
JOSH COX

Why I Started Reptile Encounters

As a society we are disconnected from nature. The advent of technology has changed the way we live, it has changed the way we interact and it has jammed a wedge between us and nature. Children, from the time they are born, are now inundated with technology. It has gone well beyond the 30 minutes of watching Playschool that was the norm a generation ago.

At the same time we have been disconnected from our world and nature, the state of the planet has declined at quite a rapid rate. The threat of climate change is at our door. We are on the precipice of a mass extinction. Now if as a society we are disconnected from nature, we are not going to have the impetus to want to protect the planet.

I started Reptile Encounters because I want to give students the chance to connect with nature. I believe that people need to have that ‘inspire’ moment to be able to make the connection for themselves. By meeting animals in the flesh we engender a respect for our environment and equip students to make a difference!

In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught. (Baba Dioum, 1968.)

MELBOURNE’S MOBILE ZOO

Reptile Encounters is Melbourne’s Mobile Zoo. Specialising in educational programs for the K-12 market. Our programs have been running for the past twelve years and are of the highest standard. Reptile Encounters has been recognised as a finalist in the Australian Small Business Champion awards in 2016 and 2017.

Our 18 memorable, entertaining and educational wildlife incursions will excite and inspire students and teachers to reconnect with the world around them. Reptile Encounters aims to create a legacy with students and staff, in the hope that they will take steps at home to make a difference. With lasting memories of your Reptile Encounters experience your students will have improved their learning outcomes, they will be happy & healthy, and they will be connected with the natural world, sending them on the path to become better humans.


INSPIRATION.
EDUCATION.
CONSERVATION.

MEET OUR TEAM

Josh Cox

Director

Josh Cox
Director

Josh Cox author of ‘Better Humans’(coming in 2020), public speaker and conservationist, is the Founding Director of Reptile Encounters. For as long as he can remember, he has been passionate about wildlife and its conservation, so he strives to be a voice for animals as they cannot speak for themselves. He has spent many holidays visiting natural parks and zoos around the world, and has a Bachelor of Medical Science from La Trobe University.

In conjunction with his love of animals, Josh also grew up playing loads of sport, from tennis and Australian rules football to little athletics. This drove a keen interest in health and fitness, which is why he ended up studying Medical Science.

Sam Ljiljak

Pathways Facilitator

Sam Ljiljak
Pathways Facilitator

From a young age, Sam has been fascinated by the natural world. His fondness for reptiles stems from a love of dinosaurs (and Godzilla) and has only grown since he started volunteering at Reptile Encounters. Sam has been helping Reptile Encounters look after their broad array of wildlife for over a year and enjoys the opportunity to work with such a diverse variety of animals. He has completed a Bachelor of Biological Science with Distinction, majoring in Zoology.

Andrew Shor

Aquatics

Andrew Shor
Aquatics
Annelise Rashoo

Pathways Facilitator

Annelise Rashoo
Pathways Facilitator
Aracelli Tessini

Pathways Facilitator

Aracelli Tessini
Pathways Facilitator
Ben Brown-Greaves

Wildlife Ambassador

Ben Brown-Greaves
Wildlife Ambassador
Beth Xerri

Wildlife Ambassador

Beth Xerri
Wildlife Ambassador
Connor Dolan

Wildlife Ambassador

Connor Dolan
Wildlife Ambassador
Damian Smart

Wildlife Ambassador

Damian Smart
Wildlife Ambassador
Evie Chiodi

Wildlife Ambassador

Evie Chiodi
Wildlife Ambassador
Harry Meiselbach

Wildlife Ambassador

Harry Meiselbach
Wildlife Ambassador
Jono Wilson

Pathways Facilitator

Jono Wilson
Pathways Facilitator
Lucy Harrison

Wildlife Ambassador

Lucy Harrison
Wildlife Ambassador
Max Daventhorpe

Pathways Facilitator

Max Daventhorpe
Pathways Facilitator
Millie Klingbeil

Pathways Facilitator

Millie Klingbeil
Pathways Facilitator
Sebastian Aranda

Wildlife Ambassador

Sebastian Aranda
Wildlife Ambassador

TESTIMONIAL

Madeleine Vezis

I booked a show with Reptile Encounters for my son's 3rd birthday party after finding them online. My son LOVED the show even if at first he was a little scared. All the kids got to touch all the animals and really enjoyed the show.

Show More
Emily and Tammy EACH Social and Community Health

Just wanted to thank you again for your generosity. We really wanted to offer the girls a special way to celebrate the completion of a therapeutic group which involved exploring how depression and anxiety affects their...

Show More
Blair Colwell City of Whittlesea

I first came across Reptile Encounters when you delivered a show at my work place for young people with a disability. I was so impressed that I thought I would hire your show for my nephews third birthday. In many families...

Show More
See All Testimonials

MEDIA

img

Herald Sun April 2021

Herald Sun

Feeling Wild About Animal Magnetism

The scaly, slithery and downright scary are all on show these school holidays. But those fears will be put to rest by Reptile Encounter director Josh Cox, whose mission is to create a generation of “better humans”.

img

Channel 9 News

Channel 9 News

I Buy Local

Did you see Josh recently on the Channel 9 news?

The story is around supporting local businesses and a fantastic new initiative called ibuylocal.com.au.

img

Herald Sun December 2020

Herald Sun

Bats No Fans Of The Heat

While many of us welcome the warm Melbourne weather, some of our animal companions are wishing for cooler days.

LATEST NEWS

post-img
Latest News, Animals | November 22, 2021
5 Amazing Animals You Can Find in Rockpools

Did you know that you can discover amazing animal species on your next rockpooling adventure? Rockpools are essential ecosystems for several reasons; they provide better survival chances for organisms that need to be submerged in water all the time. In addition, rockpools are also crucial in the development, growth, and production of most marine species. One of the joys of school or family trips t[...]

Read more
post-img
Latest News | October 13, 2021
Reptile Spotlight: All You Need to Know About the Growling Grass Frog

Frogs are an important part of the wetlands, but there are some that are disappearing. The Growling Grass Frog is one of these frogs. From tadpoles, they can be different from other frogs. Even their diet is a bit different! How to tell the Growling Grass Frog from other frogs? The Growling Grass Frogs (Litoria Raniformis) have a similar colour to other green and gold frogs. You have to lo[...]

Read more
post-img
Latest News | August 18, 2021
Frog Bog: 6 Simple Steps to Build One

The world is fast-changing, and frogs are among the many creatures struggling to keep up. They face many threats in the wild, from habitat loss to predatory species. Through lots of nature-based learning activities, such as building frog bogs, we can make a difference to our amphibian friends. A frog bog is among the many conservation-themed activities to get kids excited about science. With a few[...]

Read more
https://www.reptileencounters.com.au/x:!53IBasfvKW$-t6!ZB[Ix?#FRQ8S_O/Bc?Zi][2bTolP@m0U`JbX+H-T2O&e+O