Thread: Recording data on Reptiles

I keep an eye on temperatures and humidity levels daily but dont keep records as there is not much fluctuation. I want to experiment with and plan on introducing a 'cooling off' period to simulate a more natural climatic cycle, which i'd record.

I do, however, record most aspects of feeding and the shedding times. Digitally and good old pen and paper for backup. Just like to keep things in an orderly manner.

Cleaning schedules coincide with feeding and are not recorded as they are pretty much in sync at the moment. I spot check the enclosure daily and thouroughly clean it the days i see faeces. I use a sterile RUB setup atm, which will eventually become a quarantine tank, this keeps things clinical, nice and clean and easy. I will be upgrading to a more naturalistic vivarium setup soon as i believe it has less of a psycological impact on the animal and allows for a more instinctive behavioural pattern, as well as being more asthetic. I'd change the routine slightly with vivs, spot checking and spot cleaning daily with set thourough cleaning days, but again i'd probably skip the recording of that.

Basically i keep records of Date, Activity (feeding, shedding) & Prey item (type, size, quantity, outcome) in simple spreedsheet form. At the moment i feed weekly, on Sundays between the hours of 9pm and 12am. If a meal is skipped i leave it until the following Sunday before offering again, unless in shed, and record it. I offer food again the day i find shed skin in the enclosure. I can guestimate pee/poo times which is pretty much 3 to 4 days after a feed at the moment. Cleaning times, as mentioned above, are done on the day i see faeces. This schedule will change as time goes by but the records will be kept the same. I'd create a timesheet to manage my routine with a larger collection. If i was breeding i'd probably record more accurately just to be on the safe side, but the system would remain. I'd return to sterile setups and maintain the breeding records as well.

Routine schedules and record keeping go pretty much hand in hand with me. Weight can be measured and recorded as and when needed. It doesnt take long to jot down the date, a number and to tick off a box on a chart card when you tend to an enclosure.