First of all - Happy New Year, even though it's February already! I hope you've all had a great start to your year, and those of you that have experienced some of the recent severe winter weather over the last couple of weeks are doing well, and staying warm!
I wanted to make a post to talk about something I've been thinking about often over the past few months, and that is the change in the landscape of reptiles (both keeping and sales/business).
First, as keepers, there has been quite a large shift in standards and husbandry needs in recent years for sure! One thing is sure - the decades old racks vs. cages debate won't be going anywhere soon. I think it's important to note on that topic... both enclosures and racks have their places and can both be used efectively as methods to maintain reptiles. The way I look at it is this - if you're keeping for the sake of keeping (especially not in any signficant number) there's no reason for you to not be able to use enlosures. If you are trying to breed animals, but also not in any signficiant quantity, there's no reason for racks (other than a baby rack). If you are breeding in a significant number, then racks may be the best option for you - especially baby racks. Now, what I will say to that is, there's no reason to cram your animals into the smallest tubs possible just to fit more animals in the space. THAT, I can agree, bothers me. Now, let's understand a few things - the footprint of some of the OG racks, like for instance the CB-70 were actually a bit larger than a 20 gallon-long tank, which was, for many years, the standard for many reptile species. From ball pythons, to corn snakes, and many other 3-5 foot species, the 20 long was gold standard. At approximately 30" x 12" x 10", it seemed pretty decent. Now, the CB-70 tub is 33" x 16" x 5" or so (I'm recalling this from memory). That's a decent bit larger. And the majority of these species kept in them were not considered climbers much at all, so height wasn't considered in much. Now-a-days keepers look at height and start thinking of ways to increase floor space with foam backgrounds and shelves, etc. which is a neat way to thinking about it all, especially for species that we know can and will climb if given the option like many colubrid species! Without going on an incredibly long tangent, husbandry tools and equipment have come a very long way as well. With the inclusion of plants and bioactive style enclosures, there have been lots of advancements in lighting, substrate media and more!
Moving forward a bit with sales and business - it is not shocker that the landscape has clearly changed for it all! Platforms like MorphMarket have become increasingly specific and advanced in search methods for poeple to find exactly what they want, and even compare prices for said animal. With the introduction of auctions, as well, we see people "waiting" for animals to be listed and end up in auction if they don't sell right away. It's a very cut throat space to be in. This is also a potential driver for prices (especially within common species like ball pythons and crested geckos) to continue to head south in most cases. Let's also be real... it's not like it's rocket science to reproduce some of these common species (that's why they're common). What you can provide to help set yourself apart from your competitors is KEY in todays sale space. It doesn't matter that you made a cool 5 gene ball python - so did 50 other people. AND they're all listed on MorphMarket. Here is where the resurgence of Kingsnake.com is special! While the platform is still in it's beta phases of mobile friendly classifieds and such, it is a platform known by MANY reptile keepers who have been around for any significant length of time. This opens up a unique space for hardcore, life long keepers and breeders to come back to a place of nostalgia, and also list their animals for other hardcore keepers. It's may not be the ball python hub right now, but if you know reptiles, you know kingsnake.com, and that's a great space to be for sure! Once again, setting yourself apart from others is a MUST in consideration for sales in todays market.
Now, let's get into some of the meat of that, especially if you do enjoy some of the more common species like ball pythons. If you want to follow trends - like morph trends in bps, it's helpful to also find something specific that you like that you can use to be parallel to the trend. For example: Ultramel is hot right now, and we see all the directions it's being taken in. Is there another morph, complex, or combo you really like outside of ultramel that you think it would pair well with?? Think about what makes the ultra colors pop, and think about a gene that may align well with that. For another example, Ultra blends well with darker combos, it really generates great contrast, and you really like Acid! Look to see if any one else is working with that pairing. Maybe just a couple people have some basic things available, but because you love acid, you have a bunch of great combos (acid GHI, acid black pastel yb enchi, etc) that you can plug in - hell especially if there's an added recessive in the mix like clown, or hypo, or zebra! You need to be thinking about what YOU already enjoy and how you can set that up for the most success. If you like DG clowns... are you just thinking about making DG clowns, or pastel DG clowns? No - you're thinking about all of the other genes you could plug in! Stay that course, and be led by the things that genuinely speak to you!
Now if you're not in BP land... let's look at corn snakes. A snake species that is very easy to manage, easy to breed, and tons of phenotypic variation! You can move on that species by putting up the money into some newer genes/combos (there are a few decent ones now that are newer, and far from the "new bp" price range). Or you can similarly find a gene or combo that you really like and figure out how to work it in your best interest! For example: If you like ghost (Hypo Anery) corns, and you also enjoy patterns start messing with motley and stripe and others. Find a look you like and explore it more! Line breeding is another avenue taken by many breeders of colubrids and lizards to get the best expression of a phenotype. THAT is one of the final aspects to this part of the discussion. What sets you apart from the others? Oh, that's so and so and they have the brightest pink corn snakes EVER, or they make the nicest true locality cal kings out there. Take the time to research and invest in the best of the best from the best of the best. Cross stuff in, outcross things, work to make the lines your own! Keep track of it all - document it! This way when push comes to shove, you can ALWAYS bet on yourself.
Lastly, if you're like me and working with a more niche species followed by a bunch of other species, you need to get yourself focused. If you have one or two focal species - get the best examples of them that you can! Start talking to people about them all the time, and showcasing them on your platforms. Even if breeding is slow, and you're just raising a bunch of animals up for a year or two, that doesn't matter - push!! ATB's are the angrier, often less appealing cousin to Emeralds, and Basins, but there are people (myself included) that don't even get the chance to post abailability because they're sold before they are listed. No, that's not a brag, that's a testament to pushing a species to the forfront and pushing yourself to lock in! I absolitely love my ATBs! I could talk tree boas all day and night, and never get tired. That's the drive you need when working with the obscure. Especially a species that is shrouded in a negative light! Bring some layer of positivity to the species and showcase your work! "ATBs are mean!" My response - "Oh really? Let me know you 100 videos of me holding mine without a single bite, and yes, that includes some imports as well!"
To wrap this all up, the landscape of this industry is shifting. There is more information and knowledge available today than ever before! We, the middle and older generations, while yes, we have the experience and knowledge, need to be open and willing to learn more and take in more information about species we have worked with for years in the past! Things change, and that's ok. Also, no one is saying to stop everything you're doing and make radical changes! It's just a matter being willing to take in new info on animals you're familiar with and doing with it as you wish. You may surprise yourself!
Until next time!