Possible new rescue, know nothing about retics-- help?

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Originally Posted by Archimedes

It'd be worth it, if I can justify it in my head. My only issue with going into this is that I'm in an apartment.

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Not to be a downer, but I would def check into your apartments rules on keeping retics as well. Wouldn't want to get evicted because of not knowing the rules.

TBH I think there are very few people who are capable of keeping snakes like retics through to adulthood.

I won't say that I 'agree' with the large constrictor ban, but probably less than 10% of the people that buy these snakes know what they're getting into and have the means and stability to keep them through their lives (how old will you be in 20 years and what will you be doing with your life?). It will be much harder to rehome when it isn't a cool looking, manageable little 2 foot snake.

Also should be mentioned to check for locale and state permits. Local city ordinances can be a factor with a lot of cities now implimenting size laws on pythons "no constrictors over 9'" and a good chunk of states require at least a control permit for snakes that are classified as giants. While the Retic has officially shaken the Lacey Act, you still need to be aware of local laws. If in doubt, call your local fish and game office and talk to a lisence specialist if one is available.

And While I agree most people wouldn't be able to keep a retic through its entire life - I will add most retics don't live their full expectancy. Be it from improper conditions, obecity, or simply bred too frequent in the case of breeders. A lot of people on Retic Nation seem to suggest that the average lifespan for a breeder female retic is 10-12 years. While there are plenty of records beyond this, it's not going to always be the case.

Thanks for all the great info, everyone! I wish I could give this baby a good home, but I probably just don't have the means and knowledge to keep such a precious thing at this point in time. If only it was a few years later... but yeah, I probably won't give this guy another call. If there's anyone else willing to rehome this gorgeous normal from this guy who clearly couldn't give two craps, please let me know and I can forward his info!

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Thanks for all the great info, everyone! I wish I could give this baby a good home, but I probably just don't have the means and knowledge to keep such a precious thing at this point in time. If only it was a few years later... but yeah, I probably won't give this guy another call. If there's anyone else willing to rehome this gorgeous normal from this guy who clearly couldn't give two craps, please let me know and I can forward his info!

Retics are not hard to keep, they are just big. As far as difficulty level, if you forget about their size, they don't even make the top 50 of difficult reptiles to keep. They are usually voracious eaters, which is where most hard to keep species have their trouble.

A reticulated python will require a cage no smaller than 6' x 3' x 1.5' as a rule.

They require a basking spot somewhere in the mid 90s F and an overall ambient temperature above 80 F.

They require one suitable sized prey item weekly.

They require a bowl of fresh clean drinking water at all times.

As far as caring for one goes, if you can handle the size, they are really no harder to care for than a RTB, a ball, or something more common.

Rabbits are usually best sourced by contacting a local butcher shop to ask who in your area breeds meat rabbits. Then you will get to buy your rabbit at whatever the market weight is for live rabbits, which is cheaper than pet store prices. A local meat rabbit breeder will love to have you as a customer. They will be selling another rabbit or two every week because of you!

Pennsylvania is a pretty open state when it comes to snakes. I don't know what the permits are like, but I know that there are plenty of retics, burms, and hots at a lot of the reptile shows (or at least there was the last time that I was there).