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Hey all, so i feel like i might actually be getting close to getting a big guy. I'm leaning retic (despite the recent "ouch" thread) but burms are still very much in play. Naturally, i am combing the forums trying to find some of the especially good threads i've read,(if anyone has a favorite that they would like to link here i would certainly appreciate it) but am also looking for good books on the subject of keeping either species. An amazon search yields lots of results, but i wanted your picks, something akin to Russo's "Complete Boa..." if such a book exists.
Thanks in advance!

Is it the size that is seducing you or the personalty / inquisitiveness of Retics / Burms ??

It's just that I've got. Dwarf SunGlow boa , Dwarf Hypo Burm and a Super Dwarf Purple Albino Retic and they're all really small ( and placid ) but they all have other traits of their bigger counterparts .
I'm expecting all three to stay under 7' long .

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No books on the care of retics that I know of but this is a great thread. Watch Cody's retic videos on YouTube as well.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...nd-Information
Not sure what size constitutes "big guy" for you but I'd also suggest preparing for an animal bigger than expected and then hopefully be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't reach said larger size. Unless you're looking for a true giant.


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The size is a major factor for me, there's just something about big animals that gets me all warm and fuzzy inside, that being said I don't want one of the "true Giants" 10 to 12 feet with the girth of a man's arm feels like a good fit for me. Personality and behavior is one of the reasons I haven't decided between retic or burm. I'm aware of the general "more active/smart" reputation that retics have but I really want to get some much deeper information before I actually make a choice because although the activity level is appealing to me the classic calm demeanor associated with Burms is also very appealing especially since I have kids. I also happen to prefer the looks of retics, not that Burms aren't beautiful but if all of the things were completely equal I would prefer the retic on looks. I should mention with regard to looks I want an albino, I don't actually plan on doing any sort of educational events or kids parties but for me there's just nothing cooler than a big yellow snake!
I have watched those three videos by Cody so many times that I can practically recite them, lol. I wish he would post some update videos although I know he's got a lot of other stuff going on, but I'm curious to see some of those medium big snakes a few years later now. It also seems like he feeds very liberally and I'd like to learn about different feeding strategies and the growth results thereof.

My two cents...

I would not keep a giant for the same reason I won't keep hots. I have small children. I would constantly be double checking everything to make sure the animal cannot get out and that my kids were unable to let it out. It would probably keep me from sleeping at night. I know when I was young, no matter what my parents said I would have wanted to mess with that animal if it was in the house.

Depends on level of experience and if you can ensure it stays contained. But I'd suggest a male burm if you want to learn keeping the big ones.

I wouldn't advise dwarfs because it's a corruption of the greatest python in the world. Want a nice tame 8 footer, get a coastal carpet python like mine. She's still growing too. Hell if you wanna drive 5 hours I'll sell her to you.

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Originally Posted by The_Godfather

I wouldn't advise dwarfs because it's a corruption of the greatest python in the world.

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This is the second time that you've mentioned wrong info on dwarf's, specifically retics. They are not a corruption, but a locality that do not achieve giant size. Why do you keep alluding to that?:confusd:

I know what island dwarfism is. I'm very cynical about how in this race to make morphs and even smaller dwarves we've inbred and messed their genetics all to hell.

Over a decade ago "dwarves" didn't get a whole lot smaller, still 10-13 feet if fed. These aren't the same as island dwarves.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The_Godfather

I know what island dwarfism is. I'm very cynical about how in this race to make morphs and even smaller dwarves we've inbred and messed their genetics all to hell.

Over a decade ago "dwarves" didn't get a whole lot smaller, still 10-13 feet if fed. These aren't the same as island dwarves.

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I understand to get any of the morphs the SD are being bred with mainlands, but in another post you said you were disgusted "They" dwarfed retics. Who did? Now you're saying they're corrupted. Lol

I just think in the long run this morph game we're playing is slowly degrading their genes.