Help! I'm freaking upset and puzzled about my future herps study or reptile breeding.

[Providencer]

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I'm struggling with my future plan about how to enter the field of breeding reptiles for living or doing research in Herps for years. As an inland Chinese I feel lonely in my interest and I do not want to be just an amateur in what I passionate in. Here I beg anyone who have experiences in breeding reptiles, other animals or herps-related study or have related jobs to guide me what to do step by step. I have some questions confused me badly. I'm studying Bachelor of Ecology and Conservation in NZ now and this all because my family can only afford NZ's college tuition fee... One of my tutor told me it is possible to transfer to Master of Herps study after I gain a Bachelor of Cons and Ecol, so what's more specific project must I do to achieve this? Does anyone know which colleges in Europe or Australia offer the most dependable degree (either Bachelor's or Master's) of Herpetology? And my teacher also told me if my true purpose is to become a reptile breeder and run a reptile trading business, I may not need a degree, however I also know it's impossible for a Chinese to have no degree and be able to work in a reptile breeding company (I prefer breeding to researching because each Chinese should support their parents as lifetime responsibility after they find their job), so could anyone tell me what abilities and what practical experience do I need? I don't think I ask these too early, I'm 21 and at this age many Europeans and Australians have already started their business or research such as Brain of BHB... I'm so appreciate if any of you can comment even if laughing or abusing. I've felt helpless for a long time.

[Annarose15]

Welcome to BP.net

Although you really don't need an advanced degree to breed snakes, I'm sure it can't hurt. You should also consider business classes, even though I'm sure they don't sound nearly as fun. I'm pretty much always a proponent of education, formal or not. Unfortunately, there is "no one size fits all" plan to a successful business of any kind. One question you have to ask yourself is whether there is a big enough market to make the kind of money you need/want to for survival and the support of your family. I don't know much about China, but are there enough reptile enthusiasts there to warrant a business? Do you plan to operate internationally? If you can, I would plan to spend summers and any breaks from school learning all you can from people who have been successful. Contact breeders (privately) and see if there are opportunities for internships, which could also lead to contacts and partnerships later down the road. You will get much more specific and applicable information with internships than from posting here. Although we all love our hobby, most of the members on this site don't do much more than breed for fun, and can only offer generic suggestions (like myself).

Good luck and just take it a day at a time!

[Providencer]

Thanks a lot! Actually my tutor suggested me to join either NZ Herps society or Aus Herps society to ask experts who have succeed in their breeding or researching, so then I commented on their website for advice but I haven't received any reply so far. Maybe I just need to wait and at least earn a Bachelor degree in Cons and Ecol and be more patient. It's a pity for an animal lover who wants to put him life in animal business to be born in inland China, we have very severe law and restriction about keeping or breeding animals, in particular reptiles and amphibians. In fact most of our reptile pets are from oversea smuggling and then transport through Guang Zhou province. Of course we do have many some hobbyists of keeping reptiles but this is nothing compare to foreign countries. There is no big profits of animal trading in China because our government have no more money to support such business or reptile education (that's why most of our people fear scaly creatures and regard them as evil and must be killed when they meet them), too many Chinese are still starving... At least in my life I have no chance to see exotic animal business rising in China (except Taiwan), however in US or Aus reptile business is more than 1 century advanced than China, and even another world of industry. So I never think about breeding reptile in homeland. Anyway you help me to make a decision that I must contact with any reptile society ASAP. Cheers!!!

[Providencer]

Welcome to BP.net

Although you really don't need an advanced degree to breed snakes, I'm sure it can't hurt. You should also consider business classes, even though I'm sure they don't sound nearly as fun. I'm pretty much always a proponent of education, formal or not. Unfortunately, there is "no one size fits all" plan to a successful business of any kind. One question you have to ask yourself is whether there is a big enough market to make the kind of money you need/want to for survival and the support of your family. I don't know much about China, but are there enough reptile enthusiasts there to warrant a business? Do you plan to operate internationally? If you can, I would plan to spend summers and any breaks from school learning all you can from people who have been successful. Contact breeders (privately) and see if there are opportunities for internships, which could also lead to contacts and partnerships later down the road. You will get much more specific and applicable information with internships than from posting here. Although we all love our hobby, most of the members on this site don't do much more than breed for fun, and can only offer generic suggestions (like myself).

Good luck and just take it a day at a time!

Thanks a lot! Actually my tutor suggested me to join either NZ Herps society or Aus Herps society to ask experts who have succeed in their breeding or researching, so then I commented on their website for advice but I haven't received any reply so far. Maybe I just need to wait and at least earn a Bachelor degree in Cons and Ecol and be more patient. It's a pity for an animal lover who wants to put him life in animal business to be born in inland China, we have very severe law and restriction about keeping or breeding animals, in particular reptiles and amphibians. In fact most of our reptile pets are from oversea smuggling and then transport through Guang Zhou province. Of course we do have many some hobbyists of keeping reptiles but this is nothing compare to foreign countries. There is no big profits of animal trading in China because our government have no more money to support such business or reptile education (that's why most of our people fear scaly creatures and regard them as evil and must be killed when they meet them), too many Chinese are still starving... At least in my life I have no chance to see exotic animal business rising in China (except Taiwan), however in US or Aus reptile business is more than 1 century advanced than China, and even another world of industry. So I never think about breeding reptile in homeland. Anyway you help me to make a decision that I must contact with any reptile society ASAP. Cheers!!!