Male Super Dwarf Retic or Male Suriname BCC

If you are looking for more of a lap snake, might look into a dumerils. They are the king of loungers. A retic is not going to be a lounger snake. They are always on the move.

But again, if between the 2 choices of retic or boa, a boa is going to be much more laid back for the most part, require less upkeep as retics always poop, pee and eat, and be cheaper overall to keep. Plus they grow a lot slower so you will be able to have a 'baby' for a much longer time. Although even boas can get excited. I had Gina out today and she was just nonstop go. She kept exploring everything and was being grabby, trying to grab the keyboard and computer tower while i was doing stuff on the computer lol.

A purple SD is not necessarily going to stay small; purple albino is a mainland gene. A high percentage SD purple is going to be very expensive.

That’s good to know. Honestly I think I would be annoyed if I was just constantly try to hold him back. My boa is so relaxed when I hold him he’s only active once in awhile and I do like how boas are so muscular [emoji7]. Thank you for sharing your personal experiences. The comment about how they only sit still to poop and if they are in shed (which I wouldn’t hold him anyways) kinda decided it for me lol. I would only want a purple albino if I were to even get a retic, so I guess it’s a no lol.


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My vote has to go to the SD Retic... One of my SDs is a Lavender Albino Motley, actually. So, I can totally understand your attraction to them! Of all the snakes and species i'm currently working with, if I had to choose only one snake to keep it would be that guy hands down! I'm absolutely crazy about him! Both of my Retics are only 25% SD (Kalatoa) and only one year old, but so far, they are remaining much smaller than the vast majority of 50%, 75% and even pure SDs of the same age that I have seen. I think that is mostly attributed to smaller prey sizes and moderate feeding schedules, as well as smaller parent sizes. That is a whole other subject, but higher percentage SD bloodlines definitely do not automatically guarantee smaller size animals. All of that aside, I love Boas, too and they are a very close second, but my vote goes to SD, because of their intelligent, inquisitive nature, joy of handling and unmatched beauty with regards to lush colors and markings, which only continue to get even more vibrant with age. Most other species (Boas included) darken and fade with age. There isn't a huge difference in handling Boas and Retics. They are both very active and somewhat flighty when being held, but they can both be pretty chill at times as well. That depends entirely on the individual animals, though. My female SD Retic is much more flighty than my male most of the time. Care-wise, it's a horse a piece for me...

If you decide to go with an SD Retic, just be sure to ask the breeder a lot of questions about the animal's SD percentages and parent sizes and definitely keep him on smaller prey sizes and a moderate feeding schedule or you will likely end up with a monster regardless of his SD percentages...

PS The SD's locale should also be a huge consideration for you if you decide to go that route. SDs, which derive from Kalatoa bloodlines generally seem to be the smallest...

Well, if you are looking for a SD, make sure the mother is is the SD or the highest percentage. SD mom will make smaller babies. SD dad can produce large babies.

As for feeding, i know a lot of people say it makes a big difference but from my experience with Caesar, it made little difference. I fed Caesar heavily as a baby and at just over 2 years old now, he is 7-8 feet. By comparison, Gio fed Wallace very conservatively and he is about the same age as Caesar and is maybe a foot shorter i think. And Wallace is higher percentage dwarf and lower percentage mainland than Caesar too.

Bottomline is ask the parents size and who is the SD like i said above.

And like mentioned, a high percentage SD purple is not going to be cheap. Caesar being a white tiger 50% het snow(anery) was over $700 but i got him on a deal for considerably cheaper from Kris at Vital Exotics.

What do you want?

Activity and some busy interaction, or a calm, more controlled experience that still includes activity?


Here is a male BCI that is 6 years old and about 7 feet.

https://i.imgur.com/wpgUetd.jpg

Easy to handle, pretty mellow and very dense.

https://i.imgur.com/53NhQUS.jpg

Good picture in true outdoor lighting.
https://i.imgur.com/Pv3O6lS.jpg


This is a SD X Dwarf X Mainland, male retic. Only 18% mainland 30+% SD and 40+ Dwarf. He's 2 years old and closing in on 8 feet.

https://i.imgur.com/tz0jE4m.jpg

Both snakes are beautiful animals.

https://i.imgur.com/lP2zx3K.jpg

I honestly have to have both species.
https://i.imgur.com/36XkjPh.jpg


Boas are VERY impressive, easier to handle and sit with. My retic isn't overly food driven due to the high amount of SD and Dwarf and doesn't eliminate excessive amounts of waste.

I own 3 pythons, and one boa, which makes it hard to believe I'm a "boa guy".

I love my retic, boa and carpet, even the little royal, but if I were to add another, it would be a BC or carpet.

Still, retics are really neat!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Cant go wrong with either but my vote would have to be towards a BCC. I have always been a boa guy though so my vote might be a bit skewed lol. And pretty much what BCR said, sums it up.

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I think Pat and Ceaser disagree with this statement such spoiled little princes they are ;)

I don't know if you've considered it, but another option for a "lap snake" would be a short tailed python (Blood, Borneo, Sumatran).

Bloods also get better looking as they age because the red intensifies over time.

Just curious how much could I expect to pay for a purple albino that stays smaller?


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I was going through the same debate with myself that you are. I decided to go with a SD retic myself, completely opposite of a ball python. Which is what I wanted, something that tolerated the handling more, alot more active and a killer feed response. I picked up this 75% kalatoa 12.5% jampea today and she has already taken her first meal with me tonight no problem at all(was her scheduled day to eat and was told I could offer tonight). So far I'm happy as can be with her.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...29145bdf4f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f386d5c3b2.jpg

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