Cody Schell, honors and IB biology teacher, grew up in New York with a creek behind his house that he visited frequently.
At age 10, he began finding garter snakes and other species there. This is where his interest for snakes and other wildlife blossomed.
“[Snakes] are obviously really unique compared to a lot of different animals,” Schell said. “I know they freak some people out a little bit, but I just always found them really interesting.”
Schell has owned snakes since he was 12 years old but didn’t start breeding them until later on.
“I breed, right now, ball pythons and boa constrictors, and then I also have some reticulated pythons, specifically some dwarf, super dwarf cross reticulated pythons that I’m hoping to also be breeding starting next year.”
For now, it remains a hobby for Schell. However, Schell said caring for roughly 40 different snakes takes time.
“I offer food once a week to most of them,” he said. “In general, spending time cleaning cages and making sure every one has clean water is a pretty significant amount of time, but that gives me a chance to interact with them, make sure they’re healthy, and I enjoy that part of it.”
The money made from breeding pays for the care of the snakes, including things like cages, new beds and food.
“I could see that income [made from snake breeding] changing, but I don’t necessarily have a desire to stop teaching,” Schell said. “If it ends up being something that’s super successful for some reason, I mean, I wouldn’t not like it.”
Schell said he plans to continue tending to snakes for as long as he can.
“As long as I’m healthy enough to keep doing it and take good care of the animals, make sure they have a happy, healthy life as long as I’m able to provide that, I think I’ll keep it up,” Schell said.