Advice for 7.5ft angry WC Retic

I have a friend who's boyfriend has left her with a number of his reptiles. She loves reps too but doesnt want all of his to care for, especially this really aggressive retic, which was wild caught. Its in good condition, feeds well and about 7.5ft. but she had a bad incident today when it constricted her, and has bit her face and hands. I am confident with snakes. I have over 20 of my own, including a small boa but nothing this big. I also have my dad who isnt scared of snakes and who id always ask to help me if i needed to do anything with this snake. i am considering taking it on for a period of time. it is not a snake i think i want to keep long term unless it calms down and/or i get attached to. It seems to be in a fairly sizeable viv- would a smaller one help make it calmer? And also it is a very bare kind of white viv, would furnishings esp natural stuff such as a natural substrate help her calm down more if she was wild caught? coz i just imagine it being like a white, tungsten-lit panic room for a snake like her. Do you have any advice for helping a snake such as this feel more secure, and as far as handling etc goes? I am very sensible and fully appreciate the risks an animal like this poses. I promise i wont get myself killed.:oops:

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Originally Posted by Skyespirit86

I have a friend who's boyfriend has left her with a number of his reptiles. She loves reps too but doesnt want all of his to care for, especially this really aggressive retic, which was wild caught. Its in good condition, feeds well and about 7.5ft. but she had a bad incident today when it constricted her, and has bit her face and hands. I am confident with snakes. I have over 20 of my own, including a small boa but nothing this big. I also have my dad who isnt scared of snakes and who id always ask to help me if i needed to do anything with this snake. i am considering taking it on for a period of time. it is not a snake i think i want to keep long term unless it calms down and/or i get attached to. It seems to be in a fairly sizeable viv- would a smaller one help make it calmer? And also it is a very bare kind of white viv, would furnishings esp natural stuff such as a natural substrate help her calm down more if she was wild caught? coz i just imagine it being like a white, tungsten-lit panic room for a snake like her. Do you have any advice for helping a snake such as this feel more secure, and as far as handling etc goes? I am very sensible and fully appreciate the risks an animal like this poses. I promise i wont get myself killed.:oops:

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Find a rescue to take it.

Seriously.

i agree, somthing bad could happen to you or your dad, a angry 8 foot retic that is wild caught is not somthing i'd mess with.

You should try to find it a rescue, because i'm sure they will have experience in dealing with larger snakes, if they don't then I wouldn't let them take it. If you can't find an experienced rescue that has dealt with your larger constrictors, then honestly I would keep it myself. Just before you get it, try to spend some time reading all the care sheets, the behavior, and try to possibly contact some breeders for any advice they may offer. The thing about retics, it's almost one of the worst snakes you can get WC. It probably has previous experience with having to defend itsself, so it's defensive display is going to be a lot higher then your other snakes. Also being it's already 7.5" and you don't really have any experience, that will make it a lot harder, but seing as you have your dad to help you, I would give it a shot, but ONLY, ONLY if you can't find a experienced rescue.

EDIT:

Just to be nosey, what snakes do you keep?

i have corns, royals, kings, a milk, a hoggy, a taiwan beauty (8.5ft) and a young boa. i know its always of interest what snakes i personally keep in my house because if i say corns or something youll think im incapable. but im really trying to learn all i can with snakes, and wouldnt muck about with this girl. im pretty intelligent and am building my own reptile meeting/website and in future am hoping to create a mobile zoo, including more snakes, including larger ones than i have now. in all liklihood itll be me thats the rescue in years to come:gj:

i just wonder if anyone has any specific tips about this type of snake, and handling or housing advice. thanks so far.

handling is giving it to the rescue worker, housing is the rescue facility. tips is research more and handle your boa and when your ready for a snake that could get 15 + foot get a captive breed one, trust me no offence but i don't want to hear of another big snake killing or injuring a keeper. toooooo much negative look on the big snakes at moment so yea. please, IM not trying to offend but as post above im looking out for a fellow herper.

as wanting to have a rescue, maybe you could volunteer at the one. and if you give the retic to one, maybe you could work with it there

I fully endorse the idea of finding a rescue. If you want to try to take on a 7+ foot retic that wants you for breakfast, start with an Amazon Tree boa or something. If you can tame that down, or get acustomed to being tagged on a regular basis/dodging strikes, then move up to a nice sized Carpet python, or Redtail.

Retics don't play. You don't want to make the jump from a Ball Python and a little boa to a beast like that. In this hobby, over-confidence kills.

I agree with the suggestion of giving it to a rescue. Personally I wouldn't even begin to think about taking in a WC retic if I don't have experience with any big snakes. But, that's just me.

I agree find a rescue. I know that they are nice looking snakes but I personally will never own one. Due to the size and the aggressive issues i seen over the years. I personally have no business with the tame redtailI have due to her size, Mainly cause of my cerbal palsy and the fact I will be in a wheelchair about the time I am 38-45 at the rat I am going.

I'm not saying you aren't incapable of keeping a retic, because a lot of people are capable. I'm just trying to give you the best option as it's hard to make a decision for yourself, because a lot of people are biased. I see you said you have a larger snake thats around 8.5ft. While having an 8.5ft tamed snake, then an 7.5ft retic who is WC and may not ever calm down. The difference is your taiwan won't easily get in the 12ft+ area. That retic will easily get around 15ft, then to top it off, it's wild caught, and retics are proven to be more hot tempered and a bit smarter then your average large boa. I don't remember where it was shown but they showed a girl catching a 16ish foot green anaconda, and it took almost 3 people to capture the same size retic. Not only are retics quicker, but they don't forget as easily as other snakes. If you have good access to somebody that has a lot of knowledge in retics, then I would say go ahead, and work on it, but if not then I state my original option, to find a rescue. Anybody who is familiar with retics, or any of the larger species will tell you the same thing. It's not just for your safety, or your fathers, but possibly for the retics best interest. Even having 2 people could end up with disaster. One your larger snakes get around 12-13ft+ they develop quite large teeth, and all it takes is one mistake and it to latch on to a vulnerable area, and let's say maybe your dad panic and attempt to pull it off, or visa verse. Even experienced snake keepers get nailed, but they also have people that are well qualified always ready. I don't remember who, but I remember one of the breeders telling me that one of his friends had gotten nailed by a 17ft retic, and something about it casuing extensive nerve damage. I know in the end what you are going to do is going to be based on what you want to do, but please take everything into consideration.

EDIT:
Like the other said, we don't need anymore bad publicity with snakes, especially some of your more popular kept ones. They already are trying to take away stuff, and with more incidents happen, more people are swinging sides.

As no one has really answered your questions about temperament/housing/handling, I'll give you some information based on my 15+ years of experience with large pythons/retics.

No, a smaller enclosure won't make it calm down. A lot of hides within the enclosure might make it calm down. Maybe.

Handling of the animal should not occur (or as little as possible) until it recognizes your scent and knows that it is not associated with a negative experience. If you can change water, remove feces, spot clean and other required maintenance without disturbing the snake, then a sense of trust can be started.

I took on a 6 foot mean as hell WC retic many years ago. I kept it in a tall enclosure which I could partially enter. At first, I had to offer my foot (in a shoe) to give it something to nail while I removed the water tub. This was one mean mother (I called him Needles), but within six months he was being petted by dozens of people at a reptile club mall display.

When I started keeping retics, captive bred wasn't an option, but acquiring hatchlings was. Much easier to establish trust and obtain a great relationship with.

But I say that if you haven't been able to tame down any aggressive snakes before, or if you don't have a lot of experience in general (for example, are you able to "read" your snakes' behaviour?), then get this animal to a rescue. You are to be commended for your willingness to help, but a mean, WC retic that is already close to 8 feet is nothing to "learn" on...

Chris