Reticulated or Burmese

I'm looking into getting one of the two in the near future and I was curious what people would recommend. I have the room and time to care for one. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Reticulated can get extremely long, and the record for the longest one was 32 or 33 feet long I think. These snakes can max a good 30 feet long, but I normally see them when they are in the mid to high 20s (25-28 feet). Burmese do not get as long as they do, maybe to a max of 20 feet long or more (correct me if I'm wrong, I don't normally research the big snakes too much) so if you wanted one in that range I would say the Burmese would be your best shot. If you haven't researched this snake much, I really recommend to do so. I also will recommend purchasing a baby first, and raise it up. They do get pretty long within their first few years too. There are some people on here with Burms so if you wanted to ask questions you can ask one of them because they are experienced with caring for Burms.

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

Reticulated can get extremely long, and the record for the longest one was 32 or 33 feet long I think. These snakes can max a good 30 feet long, but I normally see them when they are in the mid to high 20s (25-28 feet). Burmese do not get as long as they do, maybe to a max of 20 feet long or more (correct me if I'm wrong, I don't normally research the big snakes too much) so if you wanted one in that range I would say the Burmese would be your best shot. If you haven't researched this snake much, I really recommend to do so. I also will recommend purchasing a baby first, and raise it up. They do get pretty long within their first few years too. There are some people on here with Burms so if you wanted to ask questions you can ask one of them because they are experienced with caring for Burms.

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A 24 foot retic is rather large, yes they can get bigger, but it's not often seen.

When it comes to giant constrictors you need more than room and time to care for it. You need first hand experience with these animals, plus with either of these species you'll need assistance once they have grown to a certain size.

I don't keep big snakes but I research them. I would recommend a Burmese; they're not as fast or long. Burms get to be 10-15 feet for the males and can reach upper 20s for the females, but usually females are 15-20 feet. Retics are pretty much the same, just a little longer. Tics are really fast and inquisitive, matched with intelligence this makes a difficult animal. Burms are slower and not as bright, but they get a lot fatter. Overall, a Burm is a good first step into the realm of giant snakes.:gj:

I'm leaning more to the side of a burm. I've done my research on both in the past.

Burmese pythons can get large too, just because they're not the size of retics doesn't mean they are too be underestimated. The largest Burm was 27 feet at Serpent Safari in Illinois. I think it weight over 400lbs. I would get a Burm if I were you because they are naturally slower and more lazy, they also have a slower metabolism. They're similar in care requirements but I wouldn't own a retic without owning a burm or at least a big boa first.

Theres pros and cons to both retics and burms. The main point being both species have the ability to reach huge lengths and they can quickly become a handful. I would recommend you find someone in your area that has a giant and ask if you can come over and clean its cage after its digested a couple rabbits and maybe let you feed it a few times to make sure you are ready to take on a large hungry snake that makes large messes you have to clean all the time.

My personal experience is with only 4 of the 5 giants. Ive kept reticulated pythons, burmese pythons, green anacondas and rock pythons. I am a fan of all giants and I have spent a large amount of money keeping up my animals and spent years trying to find a resonable place to get rabbits that I could afford without being broke.

Alot of times people want these animals becuase they are amazed with them and thats exactly how it started with me but alot of people quickly change there mind after they see how strong they actually are and how much work they actually are to keep up and healthy.

We have 12 burmese pythons and 3 reticulated pythons and I love both species. But I believe burmese pythons are alot better to start out with. They are alot more forgiving then reticulated pythons. Retics are amazingly fast and there have been many times when I was not paying attention and just trying to get done with all the snakes and oskar take hits at me and it still amazes me that he has not got me yet but eventually he will tag me and its going to hurt. Burms have feeding response also but my burms are nothing compared to the response I get from the retics.

If you do decide to make the jump into the world of giants I strongly suggest hook training your animal as soon as you get it. Its not hard to do and it makes things so much easier when they get up in the double digits.

Just make sure your prepared to handle a large constrictor. Feeding gets expensive if you dont have a wholesale place to get them from. And you have to keep there temps just right burms get r.i. very easily. But they are great animals to have and are very rewarding to work.

And always have someone in the house with you once the get over 10 feet when you have to clean or feed. I dont always have someone in the room with me when I am cleaning but someone is always within hearing range incase something does happen one day. Just make sure you have a proper cage with locks. They are very powerful animals and are very sneaky and can get out of alot of things and the last thing we need is more bad press to fuel the fire thats tearing our hobby apart!

Good luck with whatever you do. If you ever need anything dont hesitate to message me or anything.

danny

i rather own a reticulated python the girth of a burmese python makes me uncomfortable but its what you want in a snake

IMO I prefer retics over burms for the fact they are a smarter animal. as some say burms are more forgiving than retics but with a retic you always now where you stand. with proper hook training I havent seen either species be more than a gentle giant. the problem I see with burms is people seem to think they are big lazy animals and they always let their gaurd down and that is when most accidents happen, where as with retics most tend to stay on gaurd and it seems to be there are less accidents with retics. Or people just dont report them as much as with burms. dealing with all the snakes burms,rocks,retics , bp's and so on the only two bites I have taken were from burms.
personal experience is the best way for one to figure which is best for them. so if you have the ability to help someone who has them try and get some experience and good luck and just remember , be prepaired for a work out as they grow.

I don't keep any pythons, but I have however dealt with retics & burms. I would have to recommend getting a male burm if I were you. Like other stated, retics are faster and considered smarter. However burms get quite a bit more weight on them, so both can be dangerous. Also Denial recommended 10 feet, I would however recommend 8+ due to the power of the snakes. Hope you make the right choice on whatever you decide to do, and btw if you are maybe willing to substitute, a yellow anaconda would be a great starter snake, as far as on the road to giants go.