Newb Retic Question

Got a simple question got a new male golden child tiger retic last week from B. Clark. He's not my first, but my first that is fairly to extremely defensive when I get him out. Just curious if this is something he will get over with time and handling or something he will always do. I get him out daily or every other day to try and mellow him out.

I'm a brand new Retic owner as well (2 of them), but I go out of my way to handle both of mine daily no matter what. I can't attest that a Retic that is defensive as a baby will settle down with time, but personally, I feel that daily handling is necessary to help ensure that they remain tame and trust is maintained. A bite from one of these guys as an adult is no joke and will almost assuredly result in a trip to the ER for several stitches. For that reason, I also HIGHLY recommend hook training with these guys even more so than any of the other species I work with. I think the best approach to removing Retics from their enclosures is to not reach in until they are moving away from you. I also believe that handling these guys with confidence is even more important than a lot of other species. A lot of more experienced handlers rave about the intelligence level of Retics and claim that they can not only tell one person from another, but also quickly become accustomed to their handler's routines/habits/actions. I definitely wouldn't want an adult Retic pushing me around and thinking it could punk me out! lol

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Originally Posted by Aedryan Methyus

I also believe that handling these guys with confidence is even more important than a lot of other species.

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This is very true and something I work to improve on with myself when handling the retics, handle with confidence and authority. I am too timid and careful still.

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Originally Posted by smvmarine

Got a simple question got a new male golden child tiger retic last week from B. Clark. He's not my first, but my first that is fairly to extremely defensive when I get him out. Just curious if this is something he will get over with time and handling or something he will always do. I get him out daily or every other day to try and mellow him out.

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Can't really tell the future. There are several people on here that have Retics that were cage aggressive and chilled once they were out, now a year later like puppy dogs. Then they're are Retics that always want to be in charge and left alone period. My buddy has 9 adults not including the 4 and 5 month olds he bought a few months ago and its 1/2 & 1/2 with temperament. Some just come out and climb all over him and the others come out with their mouth wide open. He has to use a Lid and a Hook on those ones until he can point them away to scoop them up and stick their head in the enclosure quickly after cleaning.




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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

This is very true and something I work to improve on with myself when handling the retics, handle with confidence and authority. I am too timid and careful still.

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So so true. If you act like you're gonna get bit, you're probably gonna get bit hahah! But yeah, they seem to be more defensive when smaller because they're a more likely prey item. When they get some size they seem to know they've got less predators/reasons to be defensive. Phyllis is an absolute scaly puppy anymore since she passed the 7'-8' mark


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The baddest, meanest, bosses of the constrictor world!


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Just keep handling him and he should tame down. He's new and a baby. Of course he is going to be scared. Caesar was a bit scared as a baby as we both were since we didnt know each other. Now that I've had him for almost 1.5 years, we both just push each other around...literally. He will shove my hand away when he wants to be alone and i will shove him out of the way when he is sleeping on a piss i need to clean up.

Yep figured he would calm down, just haven't experienced one this defensive so was curious. Thanks!!

Sounds like a gorgeous critter can not wait to see pictures and if the feeling should strike you pictures of all your fabulous retics be awesome, thast is if you want to:P:snake:

I'm sure he will calm as he gets more settled in and grows bigger, my retic tagged me a few times when he was little but has grown out of it over the last few months.