The Menagerie

My Reptiles are first and foremost pets. I do not like keeping an animal I cannot handle. I do have some nippy ones, and do get bit on occasion but I do not keep anything that is consistently aggressive!

While I have, and might breed some or all of my reptiles eventually, that is not the only reason they are here. I enjoy and value each and every single one of their personalities as individuals and I will never reach a point where I have so many they have ID numbers instead of names. 

I do not like calling this a hobby, it is not something I can put down and pick up anytime I want to like drawing, photography or reading a book.  This is a 24-7 labor of love.  I make absolutely no profit in doing this whatsoever, so any money I make selling babies or anything else goes straight back into the hobby.  I reinvest the money into frozen food, caging and sometimes other animals.  If I did not have pets, I would be more wealthy!

After years of rotating through animals that I thought would sell well, or were the "cool" or the “in thing” to keep, I have finally learned some truths:

1. Keep what you like to keep, not what you think will make you the most money.  Never expect to make a profit.

2. Not everyone can or should breed reptiles or any other pets

3. Not everyone can or should make their entire living off of breeding reptiles or any other pets.

4. Keeping animals should be something that brings contentment and good health for both you and your animals.

5. If you cannot afford the routine and daily care and upkeep of your pets, you should not have them, period, because what if there is an emergency? It is not fair the animal has to suffer because you were unprepared.

6. Don’t breed your pets just because you can, or just to see what the results would be, or just so your kids can witness the “miracle of birth”. This is how thousands of animals end up in shelters every day. Watch The Animal Planet instead.  This goes doubly for dogs and cats!

7. Know your limits.  Just because the baby Burmese python at the pet store is cute and little now, doesn’t mean it will always be your “gentle little baby”.  A pet snake or lizard may not maliciously go out of their way to injure you, but you can still get hurt just as easily by a mistake or an accident, and when larger animals are involved the injuries will be more serious. 

8. Do not use your reptiles to scare, shock or tease people.  Follow any and all laws regarding them at all times.  Do not take your reptiles out in public unless it is for educational purposes.  Be responsible and mature regarding your reptiles at all times.  Unfortunately we are still viewed negatively by much of the public so it is our responsibility to make sure everything we do is lawful, positive and safe.  This also means it is our duty to do every single thing within our power to properly take care of each and every one of our pets at all times.

9. Only acquire animals from reputable, friendly breeders or dealers who have guarantees and are willing to help you in the future.

10. If you just want a pet, try rescues and shelters first before you go to a breeder.

11. Never stop learning!  Research research research!