Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just curious, how many people here make a living breeding and selling reptiles? For the last decade, I've fumbled about in and out of college, this job, that job, but I never could really settle on anything. I've loved reptiles since I was old enough to catch and bring home my first eastern ringnecked snake. Luckily, I had a very cool mom, who, although she was and still is petrified of snakes, would let me keep them in tanks in the house. But, it never really occured to me that it might be possible to make a living doing what I loved. Until recently.

I understand that it would be very difficult, and would require a lot of planning, time, determination, and some luck, but it IS possible isn't it? How many people here make a decent living from reptiles? Anybody?

I am not speaking for anyone else but myself here, But I view this more as a hobby, I breed for what I want. Yes I sell some but I think in order to make a living you are going to have to make a hefty investment, By the time you buy housing bedding and food, You kinda if your lucky to break even.I do not really keep track of the money, because I already know I am in the red..But I go with what I like. If you have enough money to invest I am sure it can be done.

First off I’m back! It’s been a crazy few weeks and as I promised I’ll get some pics out as soon as I catch my breath. I would hate to make the WIR again ( yikes )
On to this topic, of course there are a ton of people that breed reptiles for a living. I’ve been doing it for almost twenty years now. The question I have always told people to ask their selves is, do you want to turn your hobby that you love into a job? Some can do it with ease, others just can’t make the transition.
Can you sacrifice a ton! for what you love to do? In my opinion that’s all it takes to make it as a professional reptile breeder. A lot of dedication, a lot of sacrifice, snakes don’t have holidays or vacations, a little luck and yes a ton of “passion”. Did you guys miss me using that word?
I would always make sure that my goals where obtainable and try to start off small. If things start to go well, they really can snowball pretty quickly. I have always agreed with the saying that you do what you love and the money will follow. That being said, you have to continue to love it. Are there days that I don’t want to work all day on snakes? Of course there are, but for the most part I love what I do, I don’t always like the politics and the back stabbing, but I guess that’s all part of the deal. That’s another big part of what you have to keep in mind if you want to take the plunge into the world of a reptile breeder. It’s not all about working with the animals, you have to remember that you’re running a business. I have a lot of days when I don’t work with animals at all, it’s all business. You have to see that part of the puzzle too. But in the end if you have the desire and the diligence to do it, I’m sure that you’ll be successful. Keep the faith and the love for the animals and you'll be fine.
"the only thing that stands between a person and what they want from life is merely the will to try and the faith to believe that it is possible"
I’m not sure if I’ll be back on the forum for a day or two, but you can feel free to e-mail if you have any questions that I can help with, Brian (BHB)

There is a saying that gets tossed around here a lot when this question pops up and it goes something like this:

"Don't quit your day job"

Yes people are making money but it doesn't happen overnight - most of the people making real money are heavily invested in time and money (there are a ton of hidden costs) and a lot of them still hold a "real job" - there is no guaranteed paycheck ever - bad seasons happen - snakes don't punch a clock they wont always feed when you need to get them to breeding size they don't always want to breed when you want them to or even the snake that you want them to, clutches go bad, incubators fail blah blah blah blah blah - snakes don't sell themselves it's work!

Try getting into breeding just as a hobby don't spend a bunch of money and don't go into debt to do it - get to know the animals and people in the industry - stay active - if ya give it a try and you like it then continue on and build - but you might just find that it's not your cup of tea after all.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

Well said Tosha! Brian (BHB)

I have been toying around with that same question myself, I have worked and sacraficed a ton with some major major set backs along the way [Losing my whole collection due to catastophic accident] But with hard work,dedication and a strong passion for animals I have built a small but nice collection back up and hopfully in two years taking the plunge. I take my breeding serious but have managed to keep a full time job as well and when I can generate enough money to support my family doing this then I know I can even do a better job doing it full time, Then I will make my move. What ever you do I wish you the best of luck.
Erick Markstaller
Exotic Designs
203-994-4546

"Try getting into breeding just as a hobby don't spend a bunch of money and don't go into debt to do it - get to know the animals and people in the industry - stay active - if ya give it a try and you like it then continue on and build - but you might just find that it's not your cup of tea after all."

I hear that some big breeders have HIGH over head.
I owe nothing. All is paid for. Just electric and rodent food.
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RicK & Caitlyn @ Ball Boutique, Inc.

Ball Boutique,Inc.
Proud sponsor of this forum

Thanks for the replies. That's what I needed to hear. I'm not planning on quitting my day job anytime soon. I figured I'd ease myself in and see how it goes. As far as making my hobby into a job......... I know it has it's drawbacks, but I think I'm the type of person that can do it. I've always wanted my own business. I don't like working for other people, although I do it, often 60 hours a week. I've already made arrangements to go back to school and take some business classes so that will help with this venture I think. Anyway, thanks for the input guys. It's actually pretty encouraging to hear someone say it CAN be done. I'm not expecting a cakewalk or to get rich. I just want to know that it's possible.

I would have to go with start small,keep your job and see if you like the business.You have been given some good advice and yes you can do this for a living but raising snakes to breeding size takes years,learning about them also takes time.I bred my first snakes in captivity in 1987 and still have a passion for it now. One other perk to this is I have friends all over the U.S.Terry

first....you went to college........get a job for what you went to college for?...you spent the cash or you parents spent the cash.....now use the education you got.......

second......you are out of college and cannot hold a job.....you are old enough to get a job and get out of the mother's home.....see...then she don't care how many snakes you get..you don't live there anymore.....works too....

as for making a living.......you have to spend so much money to make it back.....you don't have it.......

I know people that spent up to $250,000 or more on snakes and cages and all that is needed.....extra rooms, generator, alarms........etc etc........and they don't make a living from the snakes..........

.....the buissness is hard.......and snakes are too unpredictable.......

I know person (s ) who told me this LOOOONG ago.....they ahve good snakes and make alot of cash......yet have a real job and make alot more cash.......and the snakes WILL screw you one year or another ...or all........there are years you make squat.....

I know alot of people making it with snakes......

some have 4 rooms of them and over 600 snakes....and they aren't going to Hawaii every other week......

get a job.........get some snakes........have fun......have money.....

.......at times I have 300 snakes here.......and they don't make me that much.....the prices go down all the time....

mice are less now or the same prices as in 1990.......yet food went from $8 a bag to $18.......and gas and all else went up too......shavings were $2.85......now up to $5.60 a bale......gas was what $1...now almost $3........so the mice don't make us money either........rodentpro and mice direct kill the ideas of raising prices too..

etc ''etc

etc

..have fun..........
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This will probably not be what you want to hear...

Get a real job. Buy a condo or house. Then, if you still want to breed reptiles, buy yourself a nice 10 tub rack from Vision or similar, a few normal females, a nice Het pair of Ghosts or Albinos, or Pieds, a Pastel, Mojave or Spider male, and try your hand at breeding them. Once you have produced a few clutches, and actually hatched out babies, put them up for sale. Chances are, 9 out of 10 of the emails you get will be trade offers. There is nothing wrong with that, but if you do not have a real job bringing in cash, making your car and house payments might be difficult. Ball breeding should be fun, and cash sales should be a nice benifit, but when cash sales are neccessary, it will no longer be fun.

Even some of the "big" breeders have other jobs.
yepper........
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RicK & Caitlyn @ Ball Boutique, Inc.

Ball Boutique,Inc.
Proud sponsor of this forum

Wow, who said I don't have a job????? I have a job, a wife, a child, a house, new car, a boat........... I don't live with my mom.
Also, if you'll read my post, I DID say I wanted to start small and see how it goes. Look, I'm not your average idiot that thinks they can just buy a few snakes and VIOLA! the next year they have enough hatchlings to get rich off of. My question was whether or not it was possible to make a living breeding reptiles. I know it won't be easy. Jobs aren't.

Dont let a few get you down...
This is all i do for a living, i have done it for a while and started small. I make a good living and it gets better each year. Yes even with lower prices =) It takes time to make a name for yourself and it can be a lot of work... im on the phone 5 hours a day lol sometimes more! On the internet the whole time im on the phone... If your dedicated and dont give up any thing you do in life will succed! Tanasity (may have spelled it wrong but i breed snakes not teach english lol =)!

Hope this helps and if you need further help with starting your comapny feel free to email me at nextworld3@bellsouth.net You can call if youd like i dont mind being on the phone for another 2 hours a day =) I love what i do...

Talk to you soon
Jon
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Thanks
Jon Dvoretz
Next World Exotics
www.nextworldexotics.com

The Hunters Guide to the Morphs
www.nextworldexotics.com/hg.htm

Great Reply Jon!

Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!

You had asked if it is possible, absolutley. There are many people in the reptile buisness that do it for a living.

Is it easy ---no , Is it exhausting and at times frustrating---yes.. Polotics are horrible in the goverment they are worse in this trade ..lol..But would i trade it for any other job ???---- 100% NO... We love what we do and i wouldnt give it up with out a fight. It is much easier if you have a partner (girlfriend, boyfriend, husband,wife) As your buisness grows finding help can be hard, and i know i couldnt of done it with out my fiance. When i am tired and want to sleep at 10 at night he will push me till 12 so that everything is done. And it works both ways. You trully need to love the animals you are working with because your "passion" (sorry Brian) is what will get you through the long days and nights, not the potential outcome or profits you could make. If you love what you do it will reflect in your buisness and others will definatley take notice...
Good luck in all you do. Once you get your feet wet the water is quite warm
Kim
N.A.R.C

Hey Kim!
Didn't you know I had a corner on the "passion " market. I see how it works, you're moving in on my territory Brian (BHB)

lol... You should have t-shirts made for the next show , the possibilities are endless You should have it trade-marked ..

If you use Kevins name you receive eternal damnation .... Do i get something nice for using the good-morph gods words

Kim

Funny,
Your last reply took the words right out of my mouth.
You asked about making a living as a reptile business....not specifically as a breeder.
There are a lot of different paths one could take.
Importer, Wholesaler, Jobber, Retailer, Brokering or running a Reptile Specialty Store. You might also consider Teaching, Consulting, or Organizing Reptile Shows in your area. Combining many of these suggestions might help to pay the bills. Your imagination is the only limitation. Be creative.

The most important thing, in my opinion, is that you make your HOBBY pay for itself first...then consider the changes you might make to transform your HOBBY into a real BUSINESS.

You enjoy the idea of having a successful reptile related business because you enjoy reptiles. But don't let the idealistic vision of a Reptile Business rob you of what you enjoy. I say give it a shot. If it begins to diminish your joy, you can always revert it back to a serious hobby (before you burn yourself out.)

I have made a living doing what I really love. And I can’t imagine doing anything else. As long as you continue to love what you are doing...you can't burn out.

I'm not saying that you won't make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Most mistakes allow us to learn and improve our approach.
(providing you are able to recover from those mistakes!)
There are no experts. We are all learning and improving and hopefully we are also helping others whom we come into contact with.

If you can make your reptile hobby pay it's own way, then there is a strong chance that, with a few modifications, you can earn a living as a licensed business involving reptiles!

A little free advice.
...be VERY careful with credit.
Work to OWN everything involved with your business.
A little Well Managed Leverage is ok...but don't kid yourself, it can eat you alive if you neglect it. Outright ownership is always worth more than ANYTHING you must pay interest on.
Manage YOUR business....don't let it manage you.

The most valuable asset is your reputation. It takes a long time to build a good, honest, reliable reputation...and only seconds to destroy it. Your integrity is the compass which will determine where you can take your business.
Treat people right...they will always reward you for it.

Your business will require sacrifices you must make of yourself.
But you also need to maintain a balance with all the other important aspects of life. You, your family and loved ones will all appreciate your business much more if you can remember maintain that balance.

Best of luck with your hobby or business.
Hope to see you around in 20 yrs!

Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!

If I was you, I would KEEP the job you have, and IF you are getting a good tax return, maybe use some of that money to start off. Get a good rack first! Then buy a few Balls. Do not spend more than $2K or 3K before you hatch your first babies. Never Charge a Ball, never borrow money or get a loan for a Ball purchase.

Dave