Snakes and Stones

[Lord Sorril]

I had a little fun imagining what counting snakes is like for a large breeder. For us hobbyists it's simple, but I imagine large breeders have many snakes in various states of development. Do you count eggs?.

I wouldn't consider myself a 'large' breeder. Not sure what the criteria for that would be...

I do count eggs, and I count clutches...it all good data to determine if I am 'on track' with my breeding goals or not.
I do keep an inordinate amount of holdbacks and then gradually sell them off as I watch their color shift and/or notice less desirable behavioral patterns emerge.

I'm in the 'I don't count them' camp, usually. When someone asks, I'll usually tally up what I consider 'permanent residents' -- animals that are breeding stock, or those that I have no intention of selling (pets, retired breeders that are too tired to sell into the pet market or that I have some attachment to). Sometimes I count holdbacks, although I'll hold back extras for a couple years just to see how they turn out so I don't always count those.

I don't count number of animals sold, either, and only keep track of dollars for tax purposes.

I find it interesting to see how other breeders count, or whether they do at all.

I keep some basic statistics. I've been using my Snakes and Stones photos to provide me a bit of a historical record.
Money is not really a concern for me, and dealing with large numbers of Hets/Possible Hets (which I often sell as 'Normals'): I'm fine operating consistently at a modest loss.

As you said, Homebody, snake tallies can vary a great deal. I only have a "few" retired snakes now, but years back, & in a much bigger house complete with my "rodent ranch" for $ support & ample sustenance, I had up to about 150 snakes for a while, when some of them had offspring (that's counting hatchlings). My more "permanent" number at the time (& for some years) was 85-90 snakes. I took in rescues: some were unwanted pets, but mostly native locals -mostly of the rattling persuasion- needing relocated or needing homes if not deemed likely to survive.

I was only half-joking when I called my house a B & B (bed & breakfast) for wayward rattlesnakes- mostly in the summer time, but I never knew- I got a call for a young speckled found in someone's woodpile one winter- I learned so much from working with him, & he was a real cutie. Believe me, 85-90 'regulars' is enough to keep one busy...especially since I had a job & other things going on too. When I'd do a snake program, I was always asked how many snakes I had, then there usually one wanting to know (with a gasp!) where I lived...seeking reassurance that I wasn't their neighbor. (I had no close neighbors & I really miss that house!)

Neat! When you had the rattlesnakes: What sort of enclosures did you have them in? I built all my ball python enclosures custom, but I couldn't imagine what size and design I would need for a rattlesnake...

My neighbors do not live close enough to see in my windows to my snake rooms (2nd floor of my house), however one of my neighbors mentioned she had 'noticed' unusual activity through the window (aka she was using binoculars). I just smiled and mentioned that she must have *really good* eyesight...she paused and then did not pursue that line of questioning any further.