I think i'm ready for my first large python. Recommendations?

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

Ya that's not typical behavior. Maybe try a F/T and leave it in the tank for a few hours with the tank covered in a towel. Obviously watch out for catching the towel on fire with the light. If that doesn't work let us know...

And it isn't all that common with retics either, but maybe it's a mouser. Happens with beepers all the time but not generally with retics. Try a mouse again too to see if it has any feeding response, then work on getting it on rats after you get a meal in it in your care.
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I have a F/T mouse near his hide right now with the a blanket over it. I'm going out for a few hours so i'll take the blanket off and turn the lights out.

If he doesn't eat this should I put him in a smaller cage to make him feel secure? I have an empty 10 gallon that I can toss him in.

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Originally Posted by Mr Green

I have a F/T mouse near his hide right now with the a blanket over it. I'm going out for a few hours so i'll take the blanket off and turn the lights out.

If he doesn't eat this should I put him in a smaller cage to make him feel secure? I have an empty 10 gallon that I can toss him in.

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I would leave the heat light on tho. If their temps aren't correct snakes won't eat most of the time. But ya give it a go and give em some time. Before changing enclosures you could just clutter it up a bit with crumpled newspaper. Make it seem smaller.

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

I would leave the heat light on tho. If their temps aren't correct snakes won't eat most of the time. But ya give it a go and give em some time. Before changing enclosures you could just clutter it up a bit with crumpled newspaper. Make it seem smaller.

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I meant my apartment lights lol and I will try to clutter it up some more to make the snake feel more secure.

Good news.....the mouse I left for him was eaten. I just want to make sure I can get him to be a constant eater like all retics are.

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Originally Posted by Mr Green

Good news.....the mouse I left for him was eaten. I just want to make sure I can get him to be a constant eater like all retics are.

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Awesome glad to hear it. Now next feeding try a rat and you might be set for the long haul ;)

Do you have a picture of him with a lump?

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

Awesome glad to hear it. Now next feeding try a rat and you might be set for the long haul ;)

Do you have a picture of him with a lump?

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Here he is after eating two adult mice. After holding him for awhile I realize how much more intelligence they are than my balls. I'll have to get use to that fast before he grows lol.

http://i57.tinypic.com/dmdx6f.jpg

Man his pattern is wicked. Is he a normal? Looks like a different pattern than most normals. His dorsal markings almost look like diamonds.

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Originally Posted by jackal_727

Man his pattern is wicked. Is he a normal? Looks like a different pattern than most normals. His dorsal markings almost look like diamonds.

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He's a sunfire reticulated python 100% het purple albino.

Also could someone give me a feeding schedule for the retic? I know the rule of feeding him in item that is as wide as the snake doesn't apply here.

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Originally Posted by Mr Green

He's a sunfire reticulated python 100% het purple albino.

Also could someone give me a feeding schedule for the retic? I know the rule of feeding him in item that is as wide as the snake doesn't apply here.

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If you want some growth you can do two weaned every 7 days until ready for smalls, or just give a decent sized noticeable lump every 5-7 days.

I'm feeding a little on the heavy side but still not power feeding. Here's some examples:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/19/2aqebyvy.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/19/pede9y4e.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/19/emaga4ep.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/19/u5apumat.jpg

Stick with a lump that size or smaller every 7 days and you should be fine. I wouldn't personally do much bigger if at all.

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So after just a week of owning my retic I realize he's going to be a handful when compared to my balls and boa.

He absolutely hates when I take him out and will strike my hook multiple times. He's fine once he's out though. I just have to make sure he's conditioned to accept the hook before he grows.

I'm beginning to like this challenge, but I think this will be my one and only retic lol.

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Originally Posted by Mr Green

So after just a week of owning my retic I realize he's going to be a handful when compared to my balls and boa.

He absolutely hates when I take him out and will strike my hook multiple times. He's fine once he's out though. I just have to make sure he's conditioned to accept the hook before he grows.

I'm beginning to like this challenge, but I think this will be my one and only retic lol.

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That's just a baby retic being a baby retic. Get in the habit now of hook training and keep up with it. Retics are very smart and learn behaviors pretty well. Some will still have bad days and bad attitudes, but for the most part they are very fun to keep.

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Would it be okay to feed my retic a 13 gram small rat or should I wait till he gets a little bigger?

As long as its not fatter than twice the girth of the snake you should be fine.

I decided to not feed the retic the small rat. I did feed two adult mice and I was shocked at his feeding response. He actively pursued the mouse and hit him hard... I wasn't prepared for that at all, lol.

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Originally Posted by Mr Green

I decided to not feed the retic the small rat. I did feed two adult mice and I was shocked at his feeding response. He actively pursued the mouse and hit him hard... I wasn't prepared for that at all, lol.

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Feeding live?

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

Feeding live?

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Yes. I'm going to switch him to F/T for good soon.

I have a question. I noticed my retic has a piece of dirt(i'm using eco earth) in his mouth. I tried to get it out, but he's just too active for that. Any other solutions? This is the best I could do picture wise.

http://i58.tinypic.com/2zi0sxy.jpg

I wouldn't worry about a little piece of eco earth. I might recommend paper tho for retics. As much as they make "messes" you'll go broke using naturalistic substrates lol. Plus their feeding response makes it very easy to get substrate inside them.

Paper obviously is the easier choice, but not best looking.

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

I wouldn't worry about a little piece of eco earth. I might recommend paper tho for retics. As much as they make "messes" you'll go broke using naturalistic substrates lol. Plus their feeding response makes it very easy to get substrate inside them.

Paper obviously is the easier choice, but not best looking.

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Thanks, I just checked his mouth again and he was able to get the dirt out on his own.

And thank you for the tip! I will be switching to paper soon. I've never seen a snake shed in so many pieces before and my humidity has been a constant 70% in his tank at all times.

Guys, I'm worried my retic is a mouser. I've successfully got him eating F/T, but only mice. :/

How do I convert him over? He's super willing to eat whenever, just mice though. I know that's not practical when he grows a little more.

Based on my experience I would say over time he will accept many different foods. Once they put some size on there feed response go nuts and they accept more readily. My platty is over a year old and the feed response is amazing. My tiger however is still under the one year mark and the response is much more modest but getting better with each feed.

Update: My retic took his first small rat today. I'm pretty excited, but he's growing fast... Should I continue feeding him once every 5-7 days?

I would. All my youngins are on a 7 day schedule. Growing quick but not crazy fast.

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Can someone tell me what my retic is doing? Whenever I approach his tank he will come up towards me to investigate. He's the only one that does that, my balls and boa don't move when I approach their cages.

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Originally Posted by Mr Green

Can someone tell me what my retic is doing? Whenever I approach his tank he will come up towards me to investigate. He's the only one that does that, my balls and boa don't move when I approach their cages.

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thats his version of a cat jumping on your face at 345 AM, its FEED ME, they are curious animals by nature, and mine all come to the front of the cage when its close to feeding day. But if they have eaten, or are sleeping, they usually don't approach the glass unless they want food, or I get really near the tanks showing that I may interact with them.

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Originally Posted by Mr Green

Can someone tell me what my retic is doing? Whenever I approach his tank he will come up towards me to investigate. He's the only one that does that, my balls and boa don't move when I approach their cages.

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Probably doing some trigonometry in his head, im convinced retics are geniuses

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I don't want to ruffle feathers, but the original post here has you owning a small boa and then requesting an animal that sounds very similar if not identical to an adult boa. Why didn't you just grow it up?

Also, reading a lot of the replies here confirms my belief that Retics are not for everyone (in fact, probably a very small % of people) and are being promoted aggressively by breeders and future breeders with either a narrow understanding of the average reptile keeper's skills and confidence or are outright trying to sell more animals.

I see a lot of "these guys can be friendly" "these guys can stay small" "they can breed small and live in small cages" from people who own a bunch and are trying to breed and sell them. Then on the other hand I see a lot of "my retic is a psycho and I'm a little afraid" "are you sure I shouldn't feed more often" and "I didn't realize what I was in for" from new keepers.

I'm not pointing fingers or suggesting foul play or anything, but I think this thread so far is a good reference for the frequent question of "I think I'm ready for a bigger snake"

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Originally Posted by MrLang

I don't want to ruffle feathers, but the original post here has you owning a small boa and then requesting an animal that sounds very similar if not identical to an adult boa. Why didn't you just grow it up?

Also, reading a lot of the replies here confirms my belief that Retics are not for everyone (in fact, probably a very small % of people) and are being promoted aggressively by breeders and future breeders with either a narrow understanding of the average reptile keeper's skills and confidence or are outright trying to sell more animals.

I see a lot of "these guys can be friendly" "these guys can stay small" "they can breed small and live in small cages" from people who own a bunch and are trying to breed and sell them. Then on the other hand I see a lot of "my retic is a psycho and I'm a little afraid" "are you sure I shouldn't feed more often" and "I didn't realize what I was in for" from new keepers.

I'm not pointing fingers or suggesting foul play or anything, but I think this thread so far is a good reference for the frequent question of "I think I'm ready for a bigger snake"

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I have never suggested a retic is for everyone. What I can suggest is many people can handle the super dwarfs out there because they are smaller and more reasonable.

Breeders push because they are trying to kill the belief that retics are dangerous and terrible animals to keep. That was back in the 90s before they were captive bred for many many many more generations and they remained to be a calmer species.

Are they for everyone. Absolutely not. Are they for only a select few? That's not exactly true either. More sizes are becoming available and with that more people are available to raise these amazing snakes. Watch my YouTube channel for more.

Www.youtube.com/reptileexperts

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Originally Posted by MrLang

I don't want to ruffle feathers, but the original post here has you owning a small boa and then requesting an animal that sounds very similar if not identical to an adult boa. Why didn't you just grow it up?

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I hadn't said anything, but this thread has some very questionable remarks/questions for someone that will be keeping a retic. My initial thought was, this person isn't ready to keep one of the huge snakes. Again this isn't a knock or to start anything at all. Just what I took away from this thread.


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I'm sure those comments are a knock against myself for this thread. While this retic is my first giant python, this is not my first time being around a retic. I have handled several adult retics.

I understand entirely what I am getting myself into and have the funds/dedication to provide for my snake during the entirely of it's life.

Also this community is extremely helpful when it comes to retic knowledge and makes me feel even better about my purchase.

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Originally Posted by Mr Green

I'm sure those comments are a knock against myself for this thread. While this retic is my first giant python, this is not my first time being around a retic. I have handled several adult retics.

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That's cool. Just when a thread starts out asking for suggestions on a snake that won't get over ten feet, to out of the blue getting a retic off an auction. With some what most would consider novice questions thrown in the mix, it raises some concern thats all.

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Originally Posted by reptileexperts

I have never suggested a retic is for everyone. What I can suggest is many people can handle the super dwarfs out there because they are smaller and more reasonable.

Breeders push because they are trying to kill the belief that retics are dangerous and terrible animals to keep. That was back in the 90s before they were captive bred for many many many more generations and they remained to be a calmer species.

Are they for everyone. Absolutely not. Are they for only a select few? That's not exactly true either. More sizes are becoming available and with that more people are available to raise these amazing snakes. Watch my YouTube channel for more.

Www.youtube.com/reptileexperts

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Well put and I agree. I was speaking in grand generalities - typically the guidance on this forum in particular is responsible and ethical. I didn't and don't want to name names, but there are a lot of big breeders pushing this agenda a little hard.

Hey guys, so today I was handling my retic and I noticed when he breathes he's making a slight squeak/wheezing noise. My husbandry is spot on and his humidity in the cage is always 60-70%.

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Originally Posted by Mr Green

Hey guys, so today I was handling my retic and I noticed when he breathes he's making a slight squeak/wheezing noise. My husbandry is spot on and his humidity in the cage is always 60-70%.

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Is he nearing shed by chance? Like has he already been blue this shed cycle?

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

Is he nearing shed by chance? Like has he already been blue this shed cycle?

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Yes, he should be shedding in the next couple of days.

Could be loose scales in the nostril area. That can cause a pretty pronounced whistle from time to time

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He's growing like a weed! Right now I feed him one medium sized rat once a week. Will that be enough for him for awhile? When do you guys normally upgrade them to rabbits?

http://i62.tinypic.com/2jcc409.jpg

When it takes about 3 jumbos to lump em up

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Like everyone has already said, Carpet Pythons are perfect for what you want. I think they're really cool snakes.


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