Coronavirus Pandemic & Future Plans

Have you made any keeping/breeding/selling/buying plan changes as a result of the pandemic and the predicted economic fallout?

I hadn't planned on buying any new snakes even before the pandemic, and was just going to focus on breeding Savus and Tarahumaras. The only change I'm making is to add more racks or enclosures in case I'm asked to take in rescues.

I've been wanting to buy a house / land for more space to build a full snake room, plus outdoor enclosures. Housing prices are probably going to dip, so hopefully I can make some moves then.

I just got that caiman, so I probably won't get anything for a minute. I like to wait a few months between animals, so I'm not hoarding. Though I have been looking for an adult male ETB for awhile.

The biggest hit is mostly to the conventions. Pet stores are deemed essential, so you can still get access to feeders. Hardware stores (at least locally) are also deemed essential, so you can still build your enclosures. There is nothing anywhere (so far as I know) prohibiting private sales of reptiles. And with more people staying home (pets are good for staying sane), the increase of unemployment benefits, and the government stipend checks, I don't think there will be many more "homeless" pets than usual. Snakes and other reptiles aren't that costly to keep, when compared to more common pets, such as cats and dogs.

All I´m doing is saving up for my first snake which I probably won´t be getting for a while, I do not want to impulse buy anything. Hopefully it will be a Savu but we´ll see. I picked up a 40B tank a few days ago via craigslist and cleaned it, I have to repair some of it so its something to do during isolation. Hopefully getting some stuff from Home Depot to make the background. No changes really, just continuing with my snake related activities and research to keep me busy.

Had already paired up some boas before this hit, so I'm a tad worried about selling those babies and wouldn't have paired them had I know this was coming. Otherwise no change to plans, just getting as new rack later this year but no new additions at this time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wnateg

I've been wanting to buy a house / land for more space to build a full snake room, plus outdoor enclosures. Housing prices are probably going to dip, so hopefully I can make some moves then.

---

Same here and the possible dip or at least hold in prices is the only silver lining to this whole pandemic.

I can't find paper towels anywhere! No but really the only change is I'm focused more on my rodent breeding end of things, as all the pet stores around me seam to be sold out of feeders. Having all the reptile shows canceld is not great but my online sales for snakes is up. More people are home looking online.

No changes here. I plan on getting a female Poki Suri for my male in a few months. I'm anxiously awaiting their birth. I want to try my hand at breeding a litter in 5 or 6 years when she is mature enough.

No big changes the animals I needed to invest in were already purchase in January.

Breeding wise I usually do this in 2 to 3 phases depending on how many animals I pair (November, March, July) so phase 2 has been pushed back a little bit, no point in breeding the same numbers if there is no demand right now.

Rodent breeding will be increased as plan (new rack more breeders) because I like to stay ahead no matter what is happening.

I no longer breed any snakes by choice, but if I were, I just wouldn't right now...I think the pandemic is going to be with us for a long time & so will most of your offspring.

Just my opinion, have no crystal ball...but with so many out of work, food & housing come before more pets...not saying you won't find a few good buyers, but I'd worry
about all the irresponsible ones, & keeping lots of offspring long-term isn't as much fun as it sounds. Good luck everyone...I know how hard it is not to go ahead with plans regardless, & I'm glad I don't have to make that choice. :snake:

I don't breed and no plans on adding any new snakes/reptiles. I did end up with another BP recently anyways so he needs an adult cage, I'd planned on ordering some this year but now that's likely getting pushed back to next. I'm doubting my summer job will exist at this point and I'll be losing out on hours I normally get when others vacation, many of which have been cancelled now so money will be tight all year most likely. I do plan on using part of the refund coming to stock up on feeders though.