Scaling Success: A Day in the Life of a Reptile Breeder with Over 150 Fascinating Animals
Greetings, fellow reptile enthusiasts! As a reptile breeder with a passion for these scaly wonders, my life is undeniably busy, but it's a labor of love that brings me immense joy. When my friend recently asked about my daily routine now that I have over 150 animals under my care, I couldn't help but share the exciting and fulfilling adventure that each day brings.
Mornings start like any other, with the usual human rituals of waking up, drinking my greens, brushing my teeth, and getting dressed. But what truly sets my day apart is the moment I open the bunny pen and give my adorable furry friend a good brush. It's a delightful way to start the day, connecting with a different kind of creature before diving into the world of reptiles.
As any reptile keeper knows, every day can bring new surprises, and last Tuesday was no exception. I began my reptilian duties with my colubrids, which include Western hognoses, tricolor hognoses, and corn snakes. Sundays are feeding days for them, and that often means a round of pooing on Monday night. Tuesday mornings are dedicated to ensuring the snakes' enclosures are spotless, with clean water bowls, fresh water, and refreshed humid hides for those who require them. My husband is my partner in this venture, and we tackle the snake cleaning together before indulging in a much-needed coffee break and playtime with the bunny, showering him with affection to kickstart his day.
Apart from the 150+ animals that call our home their own, we also have over 100 plants scattered around the house, enhancing the natural ambiance. Tuesdays are designated as my plant-watering days. I ensure all the plants are adequately hydrated and take extra care to water the ones that reside in the animal enclosures. After all, lush greenery can bring tranquility to both humans and reptiles alike.
Breakfast comes a little later for my husband and me, and we're incredibly fortunate that he can work from home, allowing us to enjoy the first meal of the day at our own leisurely pace. It's a small luxury that we appreciate amidst the bustling world of life, teenagers, his regular job, and reptile breeding and care.
Once breakfast is over, it's time to focus on the crested and gargoyle geckos—the charismatic little creatures that have a special place in my heart. With so many geckos in our care, Tuesdays are now split into feeding days for the adult and juvenile geckos. I meticulously feed them, keeping an eye out for any eggs or hatchlings that might need our attention. Last Tuesday wasn't blessed with any hatchlings, but I did discover three new crested gecko eggs, adding to the anticipation and excitement that fills our lives.
Once I finished with the crested and gargoyle geckos, I move on to feeding the mourning geckos and the day geckos (although not the newest addition. The baby crimson giant day gecko is being hand tamed and doesn't get fed a bowl of food). Last Tuesday I had some hornworms working on getting too big so I fed a special treat to my veiled chameleon Morpheus. It was quite a bit of fun because he's doing a great job at taking food right from my hand. I make our big meal for the day (my two teenagers are homeschooled so we are all here at home) at lunch time. So I cooked that and enjoyed eating it with my husband and kiddos. Then I moved on to feeding and playing with our rats (we currently have 5 pet rats). Then I worked on the blog for the afternoon. In the evening I was checking on our brand new rosy boas making sure their temps were good. I briefly got the male out. He was super curious and then he turned his head and thoroughly latched on to my finger and tried to eat me! I know, it's amazing I'm still alive to type this post out.
As if my day wasn't already filled with enough reptilian wonders, I delved into the world of isopods next. I maintain several isopod cultures, but I noticed that some of them had hit a roadblock in their population growth. Curious to uncover the cause, I revisited my notes and embarked on further research. It didn't take long for me to stumble upon a crucial piece of information—I should have changed out the substrate in their enclosures every three to six months, providing them with a fresh supply of organic food.
However, upon reflection, I realized that my isopods had been living in their current substrate for a whopping year and a half! Talk about a classic case of oversight. Determined to rectify the situation, last Tuesday, I took swift action and upgraded all the isopods into new substrate, generously enriched with organic matter. With this overdue makeover, I'm crossing my fingers for a thriving isopod community, and I eagerly await the delightful arrival of numerous baby isopods in the near future.
The evening turned into a fun-filled family time, as my husband, our 17-year-old son, and I engaged in a video game session. Laughter and camaraderie filled the room, and time flew by as we immersed ourselves in the virtual world. Eventually, it was well past my bedtime, but before retiring for the night, I had one last animal chore to complete.
I attended to Bacchas, my scaleless male corn snake, who was experiencing some shedding issues due to the hemp bedding I tried out earlier. Learning from the experience, I switched him over to Reptichip, provided a humid hide, and a rough piece of cork bark to help him through the shedding process. Although he's not a fan of soaking, I gently gave him a bath before settling him in for the night. Animal care is all about adaptability and doing what's best for each unique individual under my care.
With a heart full of contentment and a sense of accomplishment, I finally retreated to bed. Reflecting on the day's numerous animal adventures, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this life I've carved out as a reptile breeder. Despite its challenges, every day is a gift—a chance to connect with these fascinating creatures, learn from them, and continue building my passion-driven reptile-breeding dream. And as I closed my eyes, I eagerly anticipated what tomorrow would bring, ready to face it with the same enthusiasm and love for my scaly companions.
Being a reptile breeder isn't just a job; it's a lifestyle that requires dedication, passion, and a genuine love for these remarkable animals. While my days may be busy and unpredictable, there's nothing I'd rather be doing. From caring for colubrids to nurturing geckos and sharing my home with numerous animals and plants, every moment is a step towards building a reptile-breeding dream come true—one scaly wonder at a time. And as I gaze upon this ever-growing reptilian family, I can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to scale the heights of success in a world I am truly passionate about.