For the love of Reticulated pythons......

[Skyrivers]

I know I was nervous taking Rainbow on when I started researching reticulated pythons. Everything from budget, to housing, safe handling, care, and quality of life for the animal had to be taken in consideration. I don't regret any of the work! I think that although they can be challenging they can be so rewarding at the same time. This thread is dedicated to the love that it takes and hopes to encourage people who want to work with them.

Mad love for the sexy.

When you start looking at the morphs available, it is easy to fall for some amazing eye candy. Everything from normal to Tigers to Titanium to GC, they are all beautiful animals. I have yet to see an ugly reticulated python. Take your time and spend hours and days shopping when you get that far. Somehow saying this at this point in the post seams like a "cart before the horse" type of situation. The reason I put this here is that you can love them even if you are not ready or should not take them on. All animals need proper love and respect!

Housing such an amazing and powerful animal.

Sure they need large enclosures to have a healthy lifestyle. Most reticulated pythons die from heart disease and other issues related to over eating and lack of exercise. They love to climb, swim, and explore between eating and sleeping. They are intelligent and should be treated as such. You would not lock a dog in a kennel its entire life and only feed it and clean up after it would you? You would play with it and buy it toys and build a relationship with it. Same for your reticulated python. Don't think of the large enclosure as a burden to build or keep up. Think of it as an opportunity to make an amazing display that is a playground for your animal and create something that you and your house guests to enjoy looking at. The animal deserves it as well.

So now you have decided you are ready to jump into reticulated pythons?

Read everything you can find on them. Sure some of the information is conflicting but most of it is good information. Get some hands on experience with them. Go to local pet store or herps show and spend time with them. Make friends that have them and spend time learning about them. Learn their body language. Hold a difficult reticulated and learn how to deal with the dangers and issues that might come up. Watch youtube videos and learn more. Keep in mind that personality is most important when it come to reticulated pythons for me. Also, what works with one reticulated python might now work with another. They are each unique and have personalities that are diverse and evolving with time and your interaction with each other.


Shopping, budget VS frenzy.

When I went to my first herps show, no one warned me about frenzy. It can be overwhelming to have so many options and people in one place. Breath! Take your time. This can be a 30 year or more commitment. If you see an animal slightly out of reach budget wise, save up and get what you want VS settling for another animal and find yourself wishing you would have saved up. No, I do not have any regrets buying any of my animals. Yes, they are all loved. Would I have purchased different animals if I had of waited a while and shopped more? Who knows? Sure 2k or more is a lot to spend on a pet. Save up and continue to educate yourself until you find the right animal for you.

What are your intentions?

Some shop for breeding only. Others for pets only. Others are a mix of pets and breeding. As a non breeder I choose animals not just for looks but for personalities as well. For me, If I can't (with supervision) put the animal in the same room as a child and not worry they might get bit. Then it might not be the right animal for me unless I am acquiring a display only animal. I tend to buy older animals and females. Why? IMO, females don't go through the testosterone phase of breeding season and seam to keep more steady personalities as they mature. Keep in mind this is not true for all females and only my opinion. The other reason I choose females is that I like large animals. Just my thing.

So you got something you didn't expect.

You purchased a reticulated python. The animal has a personality you don't like or cant handle. The breeder you wanted refuses to breed or is incapable of breeding. What do you do? Go to Florida? NO! (I really should not make that joke but I couldn't resist.) You have an responsibility to the animal to care for it or find a good home for it. No exception! It is not the animals fought it did not live up to your expectations.

Anyone is allowed to add or comment on anything written here. This is all opinion and should be taken as such.

[richardhind1972]

What a great read

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[Skyrivers]

What a great read

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Thanks. Anything to add?

[richardhind1972]

I only keep boas and nothing as big as retics I'm afraid , but suppose most of counts for any snake
But
I definitely agree with makeing sure you wait and get the one you actually want and not just impulse buy, it's a massive commitment on larger snakes so should never be taken lightly and trying to re-home some thing that big if unfortunate events occurring ,illness or job loss ,there should be a back plan in place and makes sure there's a good friend near by that you trust if you want a holiday, to change water etc

Make sure there's a decent vet close by or even know of one and keep his emergency details nearby for that just incase moment that hopefully will not happen but at the end of the day it's an animal and sometimes things don't always go the way we intend

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