Breeding season is well underway, and in fact, almost over for several species here with many Boas and Pythons already being gravid or have already laid eggs.  We expect the majority of babies to start showing up in the next month or so and it's looking like a it'll be a steady flow right through until Fall this year.  That's part of the excitement in keeping so many different species with different breeding times/seasons and gestation periods.............though I do find that I still look forward to the winter slow down.  Among the expected offspring for this season we are looking forward to several "firsts" for us including several interesting Ball Python pairings (multiple gene crosses as well as the "usual" fun stuff), Boa morphs and localities, and possibly a few other surprises.

   In between all the pairings and related activity I've been slowly working away to get to new caging I've been planning for ages into reality.  First up was the new Chondro cages complete with light cycle units that simulate sunrise and sunset and an automatic misting system.  Now that most of the bugs are worked out, I'm very pleased with how this project has come together.  It's only getting better as the live plants mature and fill in a little more naturally. 

   In March I had the opportunity again this year to travel back to the Tortuguero area of Costa Rica with my good friend Dave.  This came as a well needed break and despite coming home with a bit of a flu bug I did feel more relaxed and mentally rejuvenated.  It's always such a pleasure to see reptiles in their natural environment and I even find myself often caught up taking pictures of common pet trade species such as Aveiva's, Basilisk's, and Iguana's.  The Leatherback Sea Turtles were nesting on the beach again this year during out visit, though due to legal reasons I was unable to take any pictures.  We also had a photo opportunity with a fair sized male Terciopelo (aka; Fer-de-lance - Bothrops asper), who remained rather cooperative for quite some time before disappearing into the underbrush.  The colony of Boat Billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) that are known to occupy a small mid-jungle pond surely didn't disappoint.  We counted upwards of a dozen at least, compared to the pair with three fledglings we saw last year.  They also shared their pond with a fair sized female Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodylus) and her recently hatched youngsters.  In addition to the many plants, insects, birds, Monkeys and Sloth it was again a very memorable trip.

    Time always seems to fly by, and I can recall starting to consider the plans for another incubator in my head late last Fall.  Well, it wasn't until a few days before the first clutch of Ball Pythons were due that I realized I needed to get a move on!  I had just finished working the bugs out of this new design after running it for a few days, and with my other incubator already full and the next clutch being laid as I worked, it was not a moment too soon!  I don't know why, but I seem to work best with a little last minute pressure ;)  This new incubator is basically a larger version of a successful design that I developed several years ago, so I wasn't overly concerned about running into unexpected problems.  It is now up and running and starting to fill with eggs.

    The summer is shaping up to be extremely busy between babies hatching and being born, a relatively steady flow of eggs being laid, and planned projects around the house.   I have already found myself spread a little thin.  There are a few projects that I would like to dedicate more time to specifically, as well as keeping up on all of the "usual" activity so this will likely result in the thinning out of a few breeding projects.  Most of the Central American Boas will be first on the chopping block.  There are always tough decisions when downsizing, but I feel it's a necessary move at this point.  

    I've reason to believe I may have been experiencing email problems.  If you are or have been attempting to contact me by email or through the contact form on this website and don't receive a timely response, please call by phone.  Though I do often have my hands full and can't get to the phone in time, I do return all calls in a timely fashion..........the only catch is you need to leave a message ;)

    I hope the year is progressing well for everyone else and we're looking forward to seeing everyone at the first Canadian Reptile Breeders Expo in September!

- Jon Kendrick