What's it like livin' the dream of owning a lot of herps? I've got a few questions..

[Sand_Boa_Owner]

I have been recently planning for my herp keeping future. I have an anery sand boa and a normal ball python now but after I get out high school, and I am thinking of college too, I will go full extent on a breeding facility. I want to breed snakes, lizards, arachnids and more. I would love some tips so I dont go bankrupt collecting and selling herps. I also have another question, what is your electric bill each week? I know herps can set the bill high lol.
In my first year I would breed ball pythons, hognoses, red tails, leachies, and leos. Is that too much for a year? In my second year Ill add rainbows, bloods, and cresties. I would also love to get into gators and monitors, but as a hobby not breeding. I absolutely love reptiles and would love to make a career from them, like breeding and educational shows around my state. Also I have thought of anti-venom too and that doesnt seem too likely unless I apply at a place already running. Any tips are greatly appreciated!

[PitOnTheProwl]

Nice an busy dreams there young'un.
All my animals including a/c and heat in the rodent shed add about $150 - $200 a month to my electric bill.
My first recommendation, concentrate and get a good education that will put you in a position to further your dream.
At the rate you have planned you are already bankrupt. LoL

[Sand_Boa_Owner]

Haha, thats the problem! I'd love to work at a zoo specializing in the reptile house. Then maybe save enough money at the side for my personal herp dreams lol.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Have you looked into what your local zoo pays its keepers?
I know here they start at around the $10 an hour mark.
Look into what is offered at your local collage that would/could put you into an animal related field.
At some point you might have a practicum that could open the door for you to get into a zoo if that is where you want to be.
Start small and grow from there.
Sex your snakes and then find a mate for them.
Get one clutch under your belt and grow them out.

[Kris Mclaughlin]

Lmao. 3bp's, 3 whites tree frogs, 2 red eye tree frogs, 10 firebelly toads, beardies, an myred tail.


Bill- $250ish for almost all planted viv's in a month. About another $1-150 for buying feeders of all sorts.



With great collctions, come great bills...

[Reinz]

Great dreams, stick to it and don't let go.

The one thing I regret is not pursuing my dreams when I was your age. However, back then there was not the great information on hand nor the guidance.

Good advice from Pit, listen to him.

[Daigga]

Don't be afraid to start small. Choose an animal to focus on and build from there, if you really want to breed. It seems lots of people get excited about breeding projects, and just keep adding species to their plans until it's all much too overwhelming to even consider (I had about the same thoughts as you at first, except I'm not a leo or crestie fan. Big lizards forever!). Just for a single species breeding group startup cost you're looking at between 500 and 1000 dollars depending on species in question, quality of animals, housing, feeding, and other needed supplies. Not to mention profitability isn't usually a word you'll hear thrown around here or by any other people when talking about their first few years or so breeding. Most breeders start out as just hobbyists, with very few actually going on to make it a profession after years of experience.

There isn't anything wrong with letting reptiles be your hobby while getting support from a different job. There isn't even anything wrong with choosing animals that aren't quite "mainstream" like balls and boas seem to be. It's all about you and what you're passionate about, don't let your herp collection be about anyone but you.

I've had to size back my collection due to life happening, so I'm down from 12 ball pythons to only 3 and our beardie, and I have a close family member watching the 3 snakes for me for the time being. I am a cautionary tale about what happens when you bull rush a herp collection, which is my own fault... Always think and plan ahead when considering the future of your animals!

[mindiferlee33]

Best advice I can tell you from what I have learned over the years is to buy top quality animal's and start slow.

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[Zincubus]

I'd also suggest " getting an eye" for what types sell and for what prices plus note which types / morphs HOLD their price year after year . For example here in the UK Royal morphs such as Albinos / Pieds - Piebalds / Bananas all seem to hold their prices fairly well .....

Apart from one adult Snow Boa all mine have been stunningly beautiful looking hatchlings usually bought a very good prices or traded with hatchings bought cheap and grown on ...

[bcr229]

With great collctions, come great bills...

This. Start small and work your way up as you can afford it.

Now that said, if you have a large collection then there are expenses you won't have - like vacation travel longer than an overnight trip - because pet sitters don't handle exotics.