handling my first big? retic!!!

That is certainly something most people don't think about when they buy a baby 'tic! I explain that in my shows for the kids. I always recommend 1 person extra per 3 feet of snake after 6 foot. so a 9 footer needs 2 people 12 feet of snake needs 3 people. so on and so forth

Just a couple general notes from all this.

1) most people who are enthusiastic about their snakes will boast about them quite frequently, doesn't mean they are in it for the wrong reasons - and I did catch the part about answering questions, still wording makes that a very dangerous assumption statement

2) Purchasing snakes like those on a whim is never a good idea. If you have a collection of large constrictors already, that's fine if you have the extra QT housing ready and what not, but if you've never dealt with a breeding season male giant, do not just jump in like that, it's a danger to yourself and the snake

3) Mainland retics are pretty mellow outside of the cage, they resist at first and start to move forward quite a bit, but after the first 5 minutes they generally stop trying to move much and just want to stretch. Dwarf / Superdwarf much much more active IMO

4) You're doing good getting caging to your friend and making sure he get the proper setups ordered. Quickest / best option though may be Vision caging. Take a look into the 600 series, not too pricey and qujck to get them to you. If he just needs two shipping will run anywhere from 150-300 via frieght. I believe its 15 per cage, 300 per flat

5) It is quite rare for a retic to generally get above 18 ft in captivity, the statement about imagine working with a 25 ft snake is very misguided, some of the largest in captivity at the moment are around 24', and most keepers I know has their biggest girls maxing around 17' wtih a few 21' snakes in there but these are very specific lines and localities.

These statements are not meant to offend anyone who posted, just some outside insght. Please ensure your friend does know that the feeding response of a retic is nothing to mess around with, and any bite that may occur needs to handled very carefully and not "jerked" back or extreme damage can be caused. Its bad enough that when a retic bites, it already begins turning its neck twisting the wound tearing deeper.

Good luck to him though, if he's in Ohio hope his permits are good and in order!

Reptileexpert: no offense taken at all from me. I value your help and suggestions greatly.

Update: I mentioned in other post about trying to help this guy. He has declined most of it and gone on his own path. He has ordered caging from boamaster and that's about all I know. I wish him the best of luck and offer prayers that the animals stay healthy. There's just no talking sense into some people. As for the permitting issue I believe he has started the process. The vet I sent him to insist that he gets it or her office will report him to the authorities. All of the snakes did get a clean bill of health from the vet. Thank you to everyone who has offered advice.

I guess my point was alittle misunderstood. I don't mind if anybody talks about their pets. I'm talking about the people that start rambling on about how they have this and that and keep them anyway they can just so they can have as many as they can. People that its obvious they keep snakes to brag about it without caring about the conditions they put them in.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I guess my point was alittle misunderstood. I don't mind if anybody talks about their pets. I'm talking about the people that start rambling on about how they have this and that and keep them anyway they can just so they can have as many as they can. People that its obvious they keep snakes to brag about it without caring about the conditions they put them in.

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The "my snakes bigger than yours" kind of people. I completely get what your saying.

Glad to hear they were able to get a clear bill of health! But yes, the vet is unfortunately doing the right thing by imposing some sort of accountability for your friend. It's the ones who refuse to follow the rules that make our hobby look bad :(

that is so cool. I really do love retic, even just a normal retic still makes my jaw drop. Too bad its not legal here nor do I want to go about this illegally.... Actually found a sd retic for sale locally... took every ounce of my mental strength to resist it:rolleyes:

Retics are one of the absolute few snakes I legitimately enjoy handling/interacting with. Even the strength of a 12' captive animal is impressive!

If that retic is a female, I sure hope you got him to order at least the 6' boamaster... Looks like a normal mainland tiger- which seem to (from my experience) always grow just a bit bigger than other morphs do. My tiger is somewhere between 17-18' foot at 4.5ish years old...

Make sure to also tell him- always feed in cage, and tap train the retic. Always use paper towels to reach in and tap the snake first before handling, to remove feeding response.. I cringe every time I think of someone dumb enough to feed an adult retic out of cage, and having to deal with a retics feeding response in an open environment- accident waiting to happen.

If he does end up needing to get rid of it, let us know- I'm sure there are several of us here who will be more than willing to take him off his hands. ;)