Animal welfare comes first
At Hexotics, animal welfare sits at the centre of every decision we make. We are a family-run breeder and deliberately operate at a scale that allows us to know our reptiles individually, monitor them properly and make decisions based on their needs rather than production targets.
We would rather produce fewer animals to a standard we are proud of than compromise on husbandry, record keeping or the support provided to their future owners.
A carefully controlled environment
Our reptiles are maintained in a purpose-controlled environment designed around stability, cleanliness and consistency. Temperature and husbandry conditions are managed carefully, but good reptile keeping involves considerably more than a number on a thermostat.
Every animal is observed regularly for changes in behaviour, feeding, body condition, shedding and general wellbeing. More than 20 years working with Royal Pythons and many years with Boa Constrictors gives us valuable experience, but experience never replaces appropriate veterinary care.
Strict quarantine for new arrivals
We rarely purchase animals from outside the collection. When we do, they are housed in a completely separate quarantine facility for a minimum of six weeks.
During quarantine we expect to see normal behaviour, consistent feeding and normal bodily functions before an animal is considered for transfer into the main stock facility. If we are not satisfied with its condition or progress, quarantine continues. The timetable never takes priority over the animal.
Biosecurity and cleaning
Equipment used with our Boa Constrictors and Royal Pythons is completely separated and is never moved between the two groups. Enclosures are spot-cleaned daily and receive a full deep clean approximately every four weeks, alongside any additional cleaning required by the individual enclosure.
Separating equipment, maintaining routine cleaning and observing the collection closely all help reduce avoidable cross-contamination risk.
Routine health monitoring
Every animal is visually monitored as part of normal daily care and receives a more deliberate health inspection at least weekly. We look at body condition, eyes and mouth, scales and skin, shedding, breathing, behaviour, feeding response and any visual signs of external parasites.
Significant health problems are uncommon within our collection, but if we see something that gives us cause for concern we use a specialist reptile veterinarian. We would rather investigate a concern early than allow a minor problem to become a major one.
Biological parasite prevention
Parasite control is treated as preventative husbandry, not simply a response to an infestation. Alongside regular physical inspection, approximately every three months we introduce Taurrus predatory mites as a biological control measure within the reptile environment.
This supports our preference for prevention and early detection rather than waiting for an established problem.
Feeding standards
Hexotics reptiles are fed frozen-thawed prey only. We currently source our frozen food from Ridgeway Frozen to provide consistency in the prey offered to our animals.
Feeding is recorded individually so that patterns, missed meals and changes in feeding response form part of the animal's ongoing history rather than remaining isolated observations.
Detailed records from birth
Proper records are an essential part of responsible animal management. Each Hexotics animal has its own identity and history. Depending on the animal and its stage of life, records include:
- Date of birth or hatch date
- Birth or hatch weight
- Subsequent weights
- Feeding history
- Sheds
- Known and suspected genetics
- Parentage and lineage
- Breeding activity
- Offspring
- Relevant husbandry observations
- Sale or ownership status
These records help us follow the development of an animal throughout its time with us and mean a purchaser receives an animal with a documented history rather than simply a snake in a box.
Records that support your next step
Your animal leaves with its documented history, helping you understand its previous feeding, growth and sheds. Clear information supports continuity of care when it moves to your home.
Our release standard
We do not sell young animals simply because they have taken their first few meals. Before a juvenile leaves Hexotics it must meet our minimum release standard:
- Minimum weight: 150g
- Six consecutive successful feeds
- Normal shedding, waste passage, behaviour and development
If a feed is missed during the six-feed establishment period, the count starts again from zero. The number of weeks it takes is irrelevant. The animal leaves when it is ready.
Responsible breeding criteria
An animal being biologically capable of breeding does not automatically make it suitable for breeding. We use minimum maturity thresholds and also consider health, body condition and the individual animal.
Royal Pythons
- Females: above 1,200g
- Males: above 800g
Boa Constrictors
For Boas, maturity is judged primarily by age and condition. We do not breed our Boas until they are at least four years old, and reaching that age alone does not guarantee that an animal will be bred.
Genetics and traceability
Our genetic records are based on known lineage, visual identification, parental genetics, breeding outcomes and accumulated experience. Where a trait is confirmed we record it accordingly; where it is suspected rather than proven, we make that distinction clear.
We have considered genetic testing for selected animals, but current cost and availability in the UK mean it is not yet practical for every animal or trait. We would rather state uncertainty accurately than present a possibility as certainty.
What you see is what you receive
When an individual animal is advertised by Hexotics, the animal shown is the animal being offered. We do not use a representative image of a different animal of the same morph.
We state the animal's sex, known genetics, suspected genetics where relevant, feeding status and relevant history as accurately as possible. Advertised weights are a guide because reptiles continually feed, digest and develop; an up-to-date weight can be provided when needed.
Healthy and established before sale
We only offer an animal when we are satisfied with its condition. Unless specifically stated otherwise, animals leave Hexotics feeding consistently, established on frozen-thawed prey and with no known pest or health issue.
Temperament is different. Although our animals are accustomed to appropriate handling, reptiles are living animals and behaviour can change over time and in a different environment. Future temperament therefore cannot be guaranteed.
Responsible sales
A sale is never more important than the welfare of the animal. We want Hexotics reptiles to go to keepers who understand what they are taking on and who are prepared to provide appropriate long-term care.
Where we have genuine concerns about the suitability of a proposed home, we reserve the right to decline a sale. We are also developing a formal purchaser-screening standard so this part of our approach becomes as consistent and documented as the rest of our husbandry.
Collection and specialist transport
Animals can be collected from us in Leicester. Where delivery is required, we use an appropriate DEFRA-licensed animal courier rather than ordinary parcel delivery. Personal door-to-door delivery may also be available within approximately 25 miles by prior arrangement.
Support after purchase
Our responsibility does not end when an animal leaves Hexotics. We encourage purchasers to contact us if they have questions about the animal's previous feeding, behaviour, settling in, husbandry history or other aspects of its care.
We cannot control everything that happens once an animal leaves us, but we can make sure its new keeper does not start without information or support.
Continuous improvement
Experience is valuable, but it should never become an excuse for standing still. We continually review our husbandry, hygiene, feeding, quarantine, breeding, record keeping, traceability, sales processes and supporting technology.
Structured individual records help us review our routines and support the care of every animal.