record keeping

Hello guys/gals. I was just curious as to what pertinent info should be documented. I know the feedings should be and probably weight, but what other info should be kept? I need to get into the habit of good record keeping. As of now its very lacking. Go figure LOL.

I'de like to know the answer to this too!

I've come up with a few things (and this of course depends on your situation, some things wont be neccessary):
I.D. # (M/F, clutch #, snake #, year)
Genetics
DOB
Parent's I.D.s
Eat, shed, weight records
pictures!!!

I keep track of feedings, weights, sheds and when I clean their viv. I also make note of their DOB and when I acquired them. I keep it all in an excel sheet. Looks something like this.

Mouse
DOB:~ Aug 05
Date aquired:2/20/2006
Morph:normal
Gender:male

ActivityDate
Ate 20-Feb (fuzzy/hopper) = 1
Shed
clean viv

Works for me! :)

I was looking on a site that sold ball pythons and I can tell you what record keeping he had and I mirrored mine after his.



Feeding (date, what was offered, if eaten or refused)

Shed (date, good or bad shed)

Yearly or bi-yearly weight/length (date of measurement)

Veterinary visits if any were needed (date and reason)





So this is what mine looks like... I hope this pastes well...



DATE

DESCRIPTION

NOTES

10/15/05

Born in captivity by Terry 1259 Morse Road
Columbus, OH43229



01/10/06

Purchased from Terry @ Captive Born Reptiles.
Purchase Price $110 / Female



01/10/06

Kept in 20 gal tank, wood top, 40W bulb, aspen bedding, water dish and 1/2 log hide



01/17/06

Shed Date

Not Good Shed

01/20/06

Feeding item

Fuzzy f/t Rat

01/27/06

Feeding item

Fuzzy f/t Rat

02/06/06

Shed Date

Good Shed

02/05/06

Feeding item

Fuzzy f/t Rat

02/15/06

Feeding item

Fuzzy f/t Rat




Well the excel sheet didn't paste well but it is divided up by date and three columns Date / Description / Notes...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mouse

I keep track of feedings, weights, sheds and when I clean their viv. I also make note of their DOB and when I acquired them. I keep it all in an excel sheet. Looks something like this.

Mouse
DOB:~ Aug 05
Date aquired:2/20/2006
Morph:normal
Gender:male

ActivityDate
Ate 20-Feb (fuzzy/hopper) = 1
Shed
clean viv

Works for me! :)

---

I didn't think about putting the cage cleaning dates... that's a good idea! Thanks.

We've been using FreeHerp (which I think is in the download section here). It's pretty good since it's a) digital and b) can store multiple animals, but I wish it had a "Potty" section for recording defecations and urations.

I'm still not sure how to print out a full report per each animal, but I guess I need to dig through it more. May need to teach myself php, apache etc. so I can build my own database and nice web front end to get what I want.

I try to do my best to collect every piece of data I can with the exception of the water changes. It facilitates in identifying any patterns or sway's off pattern while in your care. Once a month I run a report "snap shot in time" to make sure all is well and in order. Hope it helps.:)

Thanks for the info!

We use Degei (www.degei.com) free to download though the full program includes clutch data. I love this program! With an easy click I can keep track of ID photo's of each snake's unique pattern/markings, defecations, urates, feeds, refusals, observations and notes, genetics, where and when I bought the snake, etc. If a snake refuses a feed, that feed is highlighted in red, if meds are given they automatically highlight in blue. I can print out hard copy reports easily and it automatically backups whenever you exit the program.

Gotta love Degei!


~~Jo~~

I just switched from the old index card to the Full data sheets in the download section and Im in love with them,just go to staples and copy a bunch. I like it because I have the feeding, shed on the front and the girth, length, and weight on the back. Pro Exotics also has some data cards you can download. They have everything you would need on a data card.