Retics

Anyone knowledgeable on retics?
I just got me a baby pair. And looking for all the info I can get. And would like to get the info from people with experience with retics...

Thanks!![emoji106]


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Originally Posted by Firefighter1719

Anyone knowledgeable on retics?
I just got me a baby pair. And looking for all the info I can get. And would like to get the info from people with experience with retics...

Thanks!![emoji106]


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Rip through some old threads by "Reptile Experts" here.

He has in depth knowledge on the species and a lot of it is posted right here on this site. Search his name and look for all threads started by him.

Good Luck!

Thanks!

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Step 1) Buy 2 very large cages
Step 2) Find a supplier for rabbits
Step 3) Buy coveralls and face shield helmet to protect you from projectile pooping.
Step 4) Enjoy

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Step 3) Buy coveralls and face shield helmet to protect you from projectile pooping.

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Actually mine paint more often than they spray.

Retics are fun BUT they are a lot of work, and when they get up to size you really need two people to handle them safely, even if they're good tempered.

They also grow fast, get the big enclosure before you get the snake, the lead time on orders can be months unless you have a truck and can find something used "locally".

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Actually mine paint more often than they spray.

Retics are fun BUT they are a lot of work, and when they get up to size you really need two people to handle them safely, even if they're good tempered.

They also grow fast, get the big enclosure before you get the snake, the lead time on orders can be months unless you have a truck and can find something used "locally".

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This is really GOOD info.

The lure of retics is great, but I find it a bit sobering, if that term fits, that the high metabolism creates some extra work that some folks don't think about.

I have been rather on and off with SD retics. I want one, then I don't. Some of the reasoning, but not all is the extra work required for cage upkeep. Active and entertaining comes with a little bit of a price.

I'm glad you mentioned the "a lot of work" aspect. I think a great many retics are bought and placed when the actual commitment is realized, and this doubles when the cute, baby mainland moves into adulthood.

They are still a favorite of mine, but being realistic, I'm better suited for large BCs and coastal carpets.

Again, thanks for the perspective!

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Originally Posted by Gio

This is really GOOD info.

The lure of retics is great, but I find it a bit sobering, if that term fits, that the high metabolism creates some extra work that some folks don't think about.

I have been rather on and off with SD retics. I want one, then I don't. Some of the reasoning, but not all is the extra work required for cage upkeep. Active and entertaining comes with a little bit of a price.

I'm glad you mentioned the "a lot of work" aspect. I think a great many retics are bought and placed when the actual commitment is realized, and this doubles when the cute, baby mainland moves into adulthood.

They are still a favorite of mine, but being realistic, I'm better suited for large BCs and coastal carpets.

Again, thanks for the perspective!

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Honestly this isn't something I would have ever realized if I didn't keep both retics and boas. The adult retics eat every 7-10 days and usually get a full enclosure clean-out twice weekly. The adult boas eat every 4-6 weeks and usually need a full enclosure clean-out, as opposed to spot cleanings of urate, about a week before they're due to eat.

Wow, a baby pair. That's pretty gutsy. You have no idea the amount of urine you are going to have to clean up. But retics, like you will see a million times on posts are a lot of fun to keep. They are very inquisitive and explorative. It's also true that it will be hard to go back to balls. I find them rather boring now.

Wow Ethan! Amazing pickups. I don't have any experience with retics but invest in a good hook to use in training them. Can't wait for the pics. Lol.

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Originally Posted by stretcharmy

Wow, a baby pair. That's pretty gutsy. You have no idea the amount of urine you are going to have to clean up. But retics, like you will see a million times on posts are a lot of fun to keep. They are very inquisitive and explorative. It's also true that it will be hard to go back to balls. I find them rather boring now.

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Lol yeah I know. Been doing loads of research etc. Preparing. And i have had help my brother. And working on grytkng my girlfriend into snakes lol

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I will work on getting pics today

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Okay. So went out to my shed to check them out today. And the baby female started striking. Even after putting lid down and I moved passed the cage she struck at wall. What should I do?

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The male baby just took off from me. Didnt seem to show signs of striking. .

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They are babies. This is normal behavior. Be prepared to get bitten - in their world other animals are either predators or prey. You are too big to be prey so they will try to defend themselves from you, either through defensive strikes or by running away.

Just handle them gently for a few minutes every day. If you do get bit, pooped on, peed on, or musked on, do not immediately put the snake back in its home, as that teaches the snake that defending itself from you means you go away, which is the wrong lesson for it to learn.

Keep handling sessions as short and low-key as possible; better 30 seconds of calm handling versus 30 minutes of rude behavior from the snake.

Wow! This thread has been so interesting. I'm happy having 1 low maintenance normal ball python but think it's totally amazing that people keep rectics! From reading your description it sounds like they require a confident and clever owner who can handle them, I admire your knowledge and experience. You must have the patience of a saint lol ... 2x a week full enclosure clean wow

How big is/was your largest?! And through all the hard work is it totally worth keeping them? Did you ever get a bad bite? Sorry I'm just so curious about the giants.

Thanks!

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I hate to be that guy - but I do need to ask, you sound pretty young (sub-20's) but, what is your game plan once the snakes reach a length that exceeds current legislation in the state of Ohio? They have imposed a ban on reticulated pythons that are in excess of 12' in length state wide. One of the reasons Ohio is on my "no no" shipping list unless the person can provide without a shadow of a doubt that proper permits are in place. A quote from Ohio rules now in provision after the tightening of exotics:

Snakes (legal only with a permit over the length of 12 feet after 2014)


(L) "Restricted snake" means any of the following:
(1) All of the following constricting snakes that are twelve
feet or longer:
(a) Green anacondas
(b) Yellow anacondas
(c) Reticulated pythons
(d) Indian pythons
(e) Burmese pythons
(f) North African rock pythons
(g) South African rock pythons
(h) Amethystine pythons

While dwarf retics are likely not effected by this since most stay under the 12' mark. Mainland retics, both male and female, have the capacity to break this barrier within the first 18 months. Now, say you want to move in the next year if you are of that age and point in your life. Were you a member of USARK prior to the addition of retics on the lacy act to be protected by the law suit to bring your animals across stateliness? If not, you'll need someone in state to transport them for you that is under that protection. Remember that reticulated pythons are "smart" in snake terms. They assess situations, they learn basic training conditions that I sent you the PM in regards to. Always practice these conditions and it will pay you back in gold when your snakes reach maturity.

Side story: When I was getting snakes prepared for transport to a recent education display for a small private group, I neglected to grab a hook to get one of my 7' tigers out of her tub to bring her as the "moderate" sized snake for the kids to handle. This animal has 0 attitude, and is one of the most relaxed snakes in my collection. However, since I just opened the tub with my hand and reached in due to turning that part of my brain off for a split second, I wound up with a strong bite on my left hand that engulfed my pinky. A lot of swelling, bruising, and blood loss later, my finger is still swollen and bruised, but I have most of my movement back in it. These snakes will always demand respect from early on.

Just more things to ponder.

Lol no. I'm 25. Also I didn't know there was a size limit.?
Theres a breeder in my state with anacondas, retics, rocks, and burms. So I'll have to look into that

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Its a permit system. So its only illegal without proper permits once they hit the twelve foot mark. To get the permit you must meet a set criteria which generally involves having 100k insurance policy covering the animals incase they were to escape and cause someone harm. This is directly from the department of agriculture site:

Restricted Snake Possession Permit

This permit is for owners that do not intend to breed, sell, or trade snakes.


Permit application fees: $150

Liability insurance or surety bond requirements:
•$100,000 (1-5 restricted snakes)
•$250,000 (6-15 restricted snakes)
•$500,000 (16 or more restricted snakes)
•Note:Financial responsibility requirement only applies to species of the following families: Atractaspididae; Elapidae; Viperidae. Boomslang snakes; Twig snakes


Additional requirements:
•Must be at least 18 years old
•Must comply with the requirements regarding the care and housing of those snakes that are established in standards adopted by the Zoological Association of America
•Must sign an affidavit attesting that members of the public will not be permitted to be in physical contact with any restricted snakes possessed
•Has not been convicted of or plead guilty to a felony drug abuse offense, an offense of violence that is a felony, a violation of animal cruelty statutes, or of failing to report the escape of a non-indigenous animal (background check required)
•For vipers and venomous snakes, must be able to demonstrate at least two years of experience in the care of the species of snake(s) that are possessed or pass a written examination
•Must establish and submit a plan of action to be undertaken if a restricted snake escapes
•Must provide a written statement from a veterinarian stating that the veterinarian is willing to provide veterinary care to the snake(s) when needed

You can apply here:

http://www.agri.ohio.gov/public_docs...pplication.pdf

There are more forms you need here:

http://www.agri.ohio.gov/apps/odafor...nimal%20Health

Scroll down to the bottom.

Gotcha

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Originally Posted by Snoopyslim

Wow! This thread has been so interesting. I'm happy having 1 low maintenance normal ball python but think it's totally amazing that people keep rectics! From reading your description it sounds like they require a confident and clever owner who can handle them, I admire your knowledge and experience. You must have the patience of a saint lol ... 2x a week full enclosure clean wow

How big is/was your largest?! And through all the hard work is it totally worth keeping them? Did you ever get a bad bite? Sorry I'm just so curious about the giants.

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My husband helps and we take turns on who cleans versus holds the snake or takes it outside if the weather permits - unless it's a really big mess, then it's who gets to clean the enclosure versus who gives the snake a bath.

Never been bit once they're past the baby nippiness. For feeding the adults we always have both of us present and we use three foot long field tongs to offer the f/t rabbits so we can stay well out of the way.

While the pure SD's are manageable, I would not keep a mainland retic as a single person.

ETA: for the OP, I was unaware of Ohio's laws. I would sell the two babies if they are mainlands, and get a pure or high-percentage super dwarf so as not to hit the 12 foot size limit. I looked into the cost of that type of liability insurance when WV was considering changing its law to require it, the cheapest quote I found was $1000 per year for the premium.

Anyone think this sounds like a bad situation? Buy 2 retics, THEN research them? Keep them in a shed? Dude, bad idea.

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Originally Posted by Yodawagon

Anyone think this sounds like a bad situation? Buy 2 retics, THEN research them? Keep them in a shed? Dude, bad idea.

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It's not a shed. FYI it's a snake room I bh built!!

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I'll go back and change my wording. MY APOLOGIES.

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Originally Posted by Firefighter1719

I will work on getting pics today

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Well? Patience is not my strong suit.

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Very pretty pattern!

bcr...can you post pics too :D

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Originally Posted by Snoopyslim

Very pretty pattern!

bcr...can you post pics too :D

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Search pics of tics in this message board.


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