Record Keeping

[Classic]

Over the past while, i've noticed a growing number of people that are not keeping proper growth records for their animals.
I know that it takes time to keep good records but it is an integeral part of caring for a reptile in best manner possible.

Growth records are the first thing i ask for when considering the procurement of a new animal. A quick glance of the history of an animal can bring potential problems to light.

Taking the weight on a monthly basis can give you all the information you need when you notice there is a problem with your animal. In most occasions, you can reflect back to prior years growth records and see the same pattern over and over.

I occasionally take lenght measurements but it is very time consuming and most times irrevelant. The weight can be monitored easily and comparisons with the history is easily viewed.

I record shed dates as this can also provide clues if there is a problem. Sometimes you may miss the opaque and not realize that your snake is about to shed. This is a time when most snakes will refuse food and you have the answer in your records.
Saves you the trouble of posting a thread asking "my snake wont eat".

I also keep the history of the animal. i.e. hatch date, breeder, breeding records and any other pertainant information you deem fit.

Keeping these records is done in many ways.
For babies, i use normal cue cards. i write the date and the information and go to the next line.

My next method is one i've used for awhile but beware, a hard copy is very important. I use Microsoft Excel which is a spread sheet that enables you to add lots of data and view it very easily.
I keeps a daily diary, yes the daily diaries with the vinyl or leather cover for protection. I record all daily data on the corresponding page date and i transfer the data to my Excel spreadsheet once or twice a month. It works really well for me.
Here's the kicker, I did not always use the daily diary and i did not back up my information on something other than my pc. I lost all my growth records this week when my pc died. I litterally lost my mind. Alot of data was lost bacause i relied on my elecronic copy. I partitioned my hard drive and kept a duplicate on both drives but it vanished. Even the partition went. I highly suggest you keep a hard copy(paper copy).

Currently, i am constructing a database for my record keeping but i have solidified my habit of keeping diligent with my records.

In a nut shell, i feel that proper record keeping for your animal is the most important thing you can do besides feeding it ofcourse.
After all, you keep records of your dog and cat right?

Do the right thing, you sure love that reptile. Now do everything possible to keep it healthy.

Best regards,

Brian
HighWaterHerps

[jim mcallister]

Good points Brian. I use excel right now with no backup. I'm gonna start a paper 1st then excel so i won't lose my records also....... jim

[clint545]

I think I've seen an actual website where you can download charts for reptiles concerning breeding, growth etc etc. Can't remember where iI first saw it. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

[marisa]

I use one my boyfriend built for me which houses all my records online. I can access them from anywhere, and update all my snakes at once (if they ALL ate anyways! LOL)

It also automatically backs up copies onto my computer as well as keeping them online on another computer.

Marisa

[Brent Strande]

I feel lost right now. I use Herpcare Software, and I was gonna replace my Hard Drive, so I wanted to save the files. I hit the Archive button, and now I have no idea where they are... anybody have an idea?

I thnk that I may just make up a nice Excel spreadsheet and then print it out every so often to have a hard copy.

[CamHanna]

I used to use only Excel and lost all my records a bout a month ago. Since then I've been keeping it all up here *points to noggin*. It's definitely time I go back to paper.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Brent, I have an Excel sheet I've been using for a couple years now. It uses one page per snake and shows an entire year at a glance. If you want to give it a try (or anyone else for that matter), send me an email.

cranwill@mts.net

Just make the subject something like "Snake Records" or I might not even open it.

[BoidKeeper]

I use a record sheet created in Excel. I print the sheet off and make copies of it an put them in duatangs. Each snake has one. I record the date of feeding, what I fed, refusals, sheds and deffications. I also have a section for notes.
Cheers,
Trevor