Please think hard ... then do it again! *more inside*

Posted by Paul Spencer on July 21, 2002 at 21:13:31:

In Reply to: Reptile breeding for a job? posted by Dean on June 23, 2002 at 15:39:28:

Dean,
Since we dont know each other, I'm gonna make a few general assumptions. I know you are a young man, and in school. I know you enjoy reptiles (or you wouldnt be thinking of breeding!). You didnt mention what kind of animals you would be breeding, and that does make a difference.

Reptile breeding is so much more work than it seems, and the "get rich" part of it may never happen. There are so many things that must be considered when you are thinking of professional breeding, I can't begin to explain them all. What I will say is to be successful, you will need the following:
Money - enough to get your breeding stock, cages, supplies, food, etc... a lot of money.
Space - breeding reptiles takes a lot of space, there's gotta be enough room for your adult breeders, and babies. Since you dont sell your animals the day they're born you've gotta be ready to take care of them for a couple months ... which brings me to ..
FOOD - Your food bill will vary according to what you're keeping, but you'll need a lot of whatever you use. Most professional breeders have seperate food businesses, to keep the costs down. You'll need to start raising your own mice, rats, maybe even bunnies or crickets depending on the reptile you breed.
INSURANCE - oh yeah ... and it's not cheap! Having that many reptiles will open you up for lawsuits from angry neighbors, and god forbid if someone gets bit on your premesis. All that aside, one case of IBD or another desease could wipe out your entire collection. Which brings us back to space, you'll need a "quarantine room" to keep animals seperate for up to 6 months from your stock.

This list goes on and on and on! I'm not trying to discourage you, well maybe I am! Thing is, do what you love ... and you'll do fine. If you really want to breed reptiles, then do it. Do it small scale ... see what it is really like ... dealing with the realities of the business. If you find it's to your liking, then expand :)

Best luck to you!
Paul Spencer
Owner "Living Fossils" San Diego, CA

Follow Ups:

• Breeding Reptiles for a living? Lol, not if you like to eat Fred Albury(Aztec Reptiles U.S.A.) 07/27/02 (0)

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: Dean, : Since we dont know each other, I'm gonna make a few general assumptions. I know you are a young man, and in school. I know you enjoy reptiles (or you wouldnt be thinking of breeding!). You didnt mention what kind of animals you would be breeding, and that does make a difference. : Reptile breeding is so much more work than it seems, and the "get rich" part of it may never happen. There are so many things that must be considered when you are thinking of professional breeding, I can't begin to explain them all. What I will say is to be successful, you will need the following: : Money - enough to get your breeding stock, cages, supplies, food, etc... a lot of money. : Space - breeding reptiles takes a lot of space, there's gotta be enough room for your adult breeders, and babies. Since you dont sell your animals the day they're born you've gotta be ready to take care of them for a couple months ... which brings me to .. : FOOD - Your food bill will vary according to what you're keeping, but you'll need a lot of whatever you use. Most professional breeders have seperate food businesses, to keep the costs down. You'll need to start raising your own mice, rats, maybe even bunnies or crickets depending on the reptile you breed. : INSURANCE - oh yeah ... and it's not cheap! Having that many reptiles will open you up for lawsuits from angry neighbors, and god forbid if someone gets bit on your premesis. All that aside, one case of IBD or another desease could wipe out your entire collection. Which brings us back to space, you'll need a "quarantine room" to keep animals seperate for up to 6 months from your stock. : This list goes on and on and on! I'm not trying to discourage you, well maybe I am! Thing is, do what you love ... and you'll do fine. If you really want to breed reptiles, then do it. Do it small scale ... see what it is really like ... dealing with the realities of the business. If you find it's to your liking, then expand :) : Best luck to you! : Paul Spencer : Owner "Living Fossils" San Diego, CA

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