Apps for Herpers

[savvylr]

Hey guys! I'm getting into Android app development and I was curious what kinds of apps you guys would want that would help you with your hobby?

[SerpentineDream]

An app to manage my collection would be spiffy. Something where I could record each snake's name, species, morph or locality, gender, hatch date, what size and type of prey it eats (i.e., "Frozen/thawed hopper mice once weekly"), temperature/humidity ranges and miscellaneous info such as genetics and behavioral quirks (i.e., "Possibly het for albino" or "Bites, approach with caution" or "Leave food in cage, doesn't eat from tongs.") Hot keepers would probably appreciate being able to enter venom info (i.e., "Postsynaptic neurotoxin/primary cardiotoxin/possible necrotoxin, use Ophiophagus hannah Antivenom"). It could be regularly updated to keep track of feeding, shedding, weight, breeding and veterinary care.

Currently I keep *all* of this info in my head (except for venom info--I'm not a hot keeper). If something happened to me my husband would have no clue what I had, what their value was, which were easy to handle, what to feed them or what the thermometer should say. Thus it would be good to be able to periodically share it, such as exporting it as a .PDF or .TXT file. It would also be handy to be able to share that info on a particular specimen with a buyer if I sold one.

How's THAT for a challenge?!

[jay's reptiles]

Originally Posted by SerpentineDream

An app to manage my collection would be spiffy. Something where I could record each snake's name, species, morph or locality, gender, hatch date, what size and type of prey it eats (i.e., "Frozen/thawed hopper mice once weekly"), temperature/humidity ranges and miscellaneous info such as genetics and behavioral quirks (i.e., "Possibly het for albino" or "Bites, approach with caution" or "Leave food in cage, doesn't eat from tongs.") Hot keepers would probably appreciate being able to enter venom info (i.e., "Postsynaptic neurotoxin/primary cardiotoxin/possible necrotoxin, use Ophiophagus hannah Antivenom"). It could be regularly updated to keep track of feeding, shedding, weight, breeding and veterinary care.

Currently I keep *all* of this info in my head (except for venom info--I'm not a hot keeper). If something happened to me my husband would have no clue what I had, what their value was, which were easy to handle, what to feed them or what the thermometer should say. Thus it would be good to be able to periodically share it, such as exporting it as a .PDF or .TXT file. It would also be handy to be able to share that info on a particular specimen with a buyer if I sold one.

How's THAT for a challenge?!

I love this idea

[Piggybuns]

I'm a lot simpler, lol. I'd be into pet apps, something like Neko Atsume but for reptiles. XD

[savvylr]

Serpentine Dreamer, that is what I had in mind for an app as well, albeit a little less detailed haha. I will keep you updated!

[SWDK]

I think an app for reptile keepers would be a great idea. I'd definitely use it to help keep track and simplify record keeping. I currently use a wall hung calendar with a coding system to track feedings, feed refusals, shed cycles, cleanings, etc.

[Andy_G]

I have a friend who uses one called "reptile scan" which is listed in google play. He enjoys it, but it's not free and I am uncertain if you really get your value with it.

[REM955]

Here are my thoughts. I want to be able to track all information in the scenario that I want the vet to have a complete view. At least from what I out in.
For each snake:

• I want to store basic, consistent information.
• I want to track events/ data over time.

"I want to store basic, consistent information."

• Name
• Species
• Morph
• Hatch Date
• Breeder
• (Custom field: Label + type)

This could be an endless list of pieces of data.

"I want to track events/ data over time."

• When event happened
• What type happened
• Template for each event
• Attach pictures/ video (File permissions)

For data structure, XML will suite you well enough. For events, use timestamps for the tags, add attributes for snake and event type and that should be easy enough to sort through using Android built in xml reading.
I personally would look at relational databases and Android-Specific SQLite. If you were considering making this server/ client then I'd say use a real time series DB, but that's probably more than what you want to deal with.

For timing and scheduling, look at cron notation. It is Linux CL stuff so you would have to import a library, but it allows for a lot of flexibility in terms of scheduling.
Otherwise with the Java API you can easily figure out something where every time you hit a date, add duration to current and append that info to the end of the file. Might be better off just having a separate section for these timers anyway. And I am certain you have read into Android services, so no bother going there.

Exhaustive list, but I am a developer so I think like this automatically.
Note this is for a pure Android solution. There are platforms that allow you to use web-views and you essentially create a "static" website for your app. Not the best description, but I am not familiar with that method anyway.

Plan ahead. Have fun.

[UserNameIsValid]

Check out Time2Feed on the Play Store!

[PatrickV]

i would want a better genetic calculator capable of complex inputs and accurate outputs. an example would be, albino motley 66% het moonglow x super hypo leopard 50% het albino and then giving the possible outcomes with accurate percentages.