What is a farm bred reptile?

Are reptile farms a sustainable way to produce reptiles?

Some high demand reptiles, such as red-eared slider turtles and green iguanas, are produced on farms in the United States, Latin America and Africa. These farms have been touted as a way of sustainably pro­ducing reptiles for the pet trade while reducing demand for wild-caught animals.

Do reptile breeders need to take animals from the wild?

Reptile breeders often claim that by producing animals in captivity, there will be no need to take them from the wild. While there may be a grain of truth in that statement in some circumstances, the overall effect of captive breeding in this regard has been rather minimal.

Why choose the Reptile Ranch?

Here at The Reptile Ranch, we are committed to producing the highest possible quality of captive bred reptiles and amphibians, we have a farm in sunny South Florida, where we have the privilege of working with these wonderful animals every day. Our goal is to supply the industry and hobbyists with the best possible reptiles.

What are captive bred reptiles?

Captive Bred animals are animals which are born and raised in captivity outside of their country of origin. WC reptiles may have their place as breeding animals to help sustain captive populations but do not make ideal pets.

Does breeding reptiles for the pet trade harm the wild?

While the number of reptile breeders has increased, so has the number of wild-caught animals. There is little evidence to suggest that captive breeding of reptiles for the pet trade has resulted in significantly smaller numbers of reptiles being removed from the wild. In fact, both segments of the trade seem to have grown in tandem.

What do you need to start a reptile business?

Food, of course, will be a priority, and if you are keeping reptiles for a business, you will need to find food at a price that doesn’t cut too deeply into your profit margin. Whenever possible, buy food and consumable supplies like paper towels in bulk to reduce costs.

How to start a reptile breeding business?

Once you have determined the specific animal you want to breed, you need to research and invest in quality breeders (the reptiles who will reproduce for you). Then you will need to gather the necessary supplies for your breeders.

Why buy captive-bred reptiles?

Captive-bred reptiles are usually healthier, legally bred, and by purchasing from a supplier (whether it is a breeder or pet store) you know you won’t be contributing to depleting the wild population of the species. It is important to keep in mind that depending on where you get a reptile it may be very stressed, dehydrated, and prone to illness.

Are all of your animals captive bred?

But, the vast majority, if not all, of my animals are themselves captive bred. Some of those I keep and breed, for example, originate from a good friend, Mark Harris.

What does CB mean in reptile breeding?

However, beware — some reptile breeders tout their animals as “CB” when they mean Captive Born : capturing a pregnant female and forcing her to give birth or lay her eggs in captivity. This is not the same as captive bred, and the offspring generally come with the same risks as wild caught animals. CBB = Captive Bred and Born.

Is there such a thing as a captive bred gecko?

As the hobby grows and keepers become better informed, the proportion of available captive bred reptiles are increasing by the year. My crested gecko, Alphonse, is captive bred and born. WC = Wild Caught Wild Caught reptiles lived in the wild before being captured for the pet trade.

Why are reptiles imported to the United States?

In fact, there has been no particular pattern in reptile imports to the United States since 1989 (Figure 1). This can be explained by the fact that many reptiles kept by Americans as pets are captured from the wild in the United States. Many also originate from so-called farms or are captive bred in the United States.

How many species of reptiles should I Specialize in?

It is often best to specialize in one or two species of animals, to maximize effectiveness of the business. Each species of reptile has its own specialized housing and breeding requirements. Cage sizes vary widely, from housing for large pythons to cages for small lizards, so animal species play a key role in up-front planning.

What supplies do you need to start a reptile business?

The supplies you need will depend on the types of reptiles you have. Food, of course, will be a priority, and if you are keeping reptiles for a business, you will need to find food at a price that doesn’t cut too deeply into your profit margin. Whenever possible, buy food and consumable supplies like paper towels in bulk to reduce costs.

What licenses do you need to sell reptiles?

Breeding permit: Your state’s department of agriculture or department of natural resources may require that you get a reptile breeder license or permit. Dealers’ license: Your state or local government will likely require a dealers’ permit to sell reptiles.

How much do reptile breeder’s make?

But if you are interested in getting into the reptile breeding business, you might ask yourself, “how much do reptile breeders make?” Depending on how they budget their money, the rarity of the species being bred, and how well the hatchlings are cared for, a reptile breeder’s income ranges from zero to over thousands of dollars.

Do you need a license to be a reptile breeder?

If you are looking to sell the reptiles you breed, you may need to obtain a dealers’ license through your state or local government. You may also need to get a business license depending on the scale of your operation. These are things you need to research and procure before starting to breed. How Do I Become a Reptile Breeder?

How do I start a reptile shipping business?

Obtain the necessary livestock to begin the process. If the animals are to be shipped, to set up accounts, in advance, with companies experienced in shipping reptiles. Advertise to create a customer base. Prepare a web site of professional quality, to give the customers confidence in the ability of the business to deliver as advertised.

Are the reptiles sold in pet stores wild caught or captive bred?

Many reptiles sold in chain pet stores are wild caught (WC) rather than captive bred (CB). Reptiles are probably sick, injured, or malnourished.

What is the difference between wild caught and wild caught reptiles?

Wild Caught reptiles lived in the wild before being captured for the pet trade. WC reptiles are often more aggressive, more difficult to tame, less healthy, parasite-ridden, and less likely to thrive in captivity. However they are often less expensive to buy, which perpetuates their popularity. CF = Captive Farmed

What does CB stand for in chicken breeding?

CB- This is where it may get confusing. So please direct your attention to this. CB will typically have two different meanings. 1- Captive bred, which is all around the best way to go. 2- Captive born, meaning the eggs were transported in bulk from and hatched in captivity.