Few random shots.

These are the latest pictures of Wallace.

Nothing special, actually random and fairly similar to one another.

He's been great to handle. I've only had one grumpy day and it was completely understandable and expected.

Once again, I'm new to these guys but I'm a rather quick study. Dealing with trusted breeders with good reputations and listening to experienced folks certainly sets one up for success.

So far things are going better than I was expecting.

4.5 months old and under 2 feet long.

Wallace:
This is without a flash.
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_3664.jpg

Flash clicked on. I-Phone 6 camera.
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_3665.jpg

This is a tiny snake so far. You can see my average sized hand easily holds him. He's fed 3 times here and has not really grown. He did have a shed after his last meal but I haven't been surprised by "overnight growth" at least to this point.
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_3666.jpg

I've had a couple of people inquire privately about these guys and one member here, (Sauzo) is getting one with similar percentages in a morph package.

I'm optimistic that the SD/Dwarf sizes are what they are said to be at 5, 8, 10 years down the road.

Hopefully there will be a few more folks that jump into these animals and we can share experiences and ideas.

Looking at these pictures definitely makes me want to go to the Vital website and purchase mine already. I want to hold off until after Tinley this Saturday though.:rage:

That is such a good looking snake you have Gio! Surprised it's still that small at 4.5 months. Mine was close to 2' at 3 weeks old. Granted mines a female and I know she'll be bigger than a male, but she's 100% SD and already about 5' but I tend to feed a tad heavy at times. I'm cutting her back to smaller rats for a little bit and seeing if she doesn't start pushing and such. Heavy or light feeding I don't see her getting over 8'. I'm really still blown away every time I have her out and think to myself, "this is a reticulated python, and she's the size of a rat snake I'd find in the yard." Such a privilege to keep this critter, and I'm sure you're feeling the same way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by RamMac

Looking at these pictures definitely makes me want to go to the Vital website and purchase mine already. I want to hold off until after Tinley this Saturday though.:rage:

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I'd love to see you just do it.

I'm worried that at a reptile expo with the "in your face/hands" temptation you'll be hard pressed to say no.

FedEx deliveries trump reptile shows and pet store purchases LOL!

I do love carpets though.

http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_3581.jpg

But even still, a good carpet depending on the morph is usually easier to find and less expensive than the right SD/Dwarf percentage reticulated python.

I jumped on my guy, however the tiger pattern is also my favorite pattern in the snake world. When the stars aligned I had to do it.

I'd be really surprised if this guy got big.

Get a male for sure and do as Reptile-experts says. maintenance feed and you'll have a healthy, manageable snake.

Get a carpet down the road. Mine was from an expo LOL!

He's so cute all curled up in your hand. I think now with dwarfs being an option it really opens up the possibility for more owners and seeing people so happy with them really helps counter their reputation. I was admiring some at a recent expo, they come in some absolutely breathtaking colors and patterns.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoingPostal

He's so cute all curled up in your hand. I think now with dwarfs being an option it really opens up the possibility for more owners and seeing people so happy with them really helps counter their reputation. I was admiring some at a recent expo, they come in some absolutely breathtaking colors and patterns.

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I agree and so far so good. I want to be able to assure people it is the right choice after I've had this animal for 6+ years when growth slows to maybe only inches or less per year.

I hope to see some long time owners of these dwarves and SD's pipe up with info saying how they own animals that have maintained their small size.

Gorgeous guy! Maybe once I have my boa constrictor breeding projects all lined out and everything settled I'll see about getting a few SDs, Vital Exotics seems to be one of the few trustworthy SD breeders I've come across. I really do love the retics, but I can't house multiple 15' snakes. lol My girl River was undersized at 6 months and 3' long, and 1.5 years later she's pushing 7', but I'm also trying not to powerfeed her. I have no doubts she'll get average size, if a few feet shorter, so you definitely want the SD genetics if you want to guarantee a smaller snake.

Rumor has it this fella's brother may be making a showing on the board sometime soon.

Wallace is a real looker Gio. Love that Tiger pattern! :)

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Originally Posted by Reinz

Wallace is a real looker Gio. Love that Tiger pattern! :)

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I think one of these is up your alley too.

We have similar tastes and I think you would enjoy one of these.

You've already acquired a nice collection so what's one more? LOL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

Rumor has it this fella's brother may be making a showing on the board sometime soon.

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Very soon.:snake:

You're really making me want one... beware.

He's beautiful :D

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

You're really making me want one... beware.

He's beautiful :D

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I think we've talked dogs here before. Apologies I always though you were a male until I saw this Avatar today.

The big key with these is the FINAL adult size. I see a lot of posts about "my new reticulated python" but very few about "My 6, 7, 8 or 10 year old reticulated python".


From the research I've done and the posts I've read, that I have felt confident in considering credible here, I decided to try them out. By "them" I am referring to the DWARF/Super Dwarf combinations noted for smaller adult sizes. The simple fact is, this species is truly one of the most active and interactive pythons you can keep. I would consider Papuan Olives, Olives and Scrubs close as well, but the stigma of the reticulated python is maybe only eclipsed by the king cobra.

In my situation, I need a snake that does not get overly large. I have prepared for a 10 foot 35 pound animal, but am not excited to go passed that.

Ideally, this guy will top out at 8-9 feet and have a rather lean physique.

If the size holds true to what I believe it will be based on factual information, I will recommend these critters to other experienced keepers!

I will blunt and honest if this snake ends up way beyond my wants or capabilities. I will be feeding using what is said to be a "maintenance diet"

I'm optimistic the growth and size will end up as expected.

Thanks for the nice comments. There will be at least 2 others here with closely related animals posting soon.

I'll use a real camera and work for some much better pictures when I get this guy out of quarantine and into the swing of settled life here.

He is beautiful. Retics have such a presence about them.

I prefer to work with easy keepers, so I enjoy the giants (and dwarf "giants") vicariously. Always appreciate posts on them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

I think one of these is up your alley too.

We have similar tastes and I think you would enjoy one of these.

You've already acquired a nice collection so what's one more? LOL

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Oh I have been struggling with the Retic desire for a few years now, especially since I have a local breeder tugging at my ear. :)

But for now, I'm standing firm in my commitment to no more additions until every one of my snakes are in their forever homes. I expanded my collection too fast and too soon. I'm building two T-25's now for my two big Carpets. Then I have to get a 4x3 arboreal AP enclosure for my Jungle girl.

You're not exactly helping me stand firm with all those photos of your pretty boy! :)
You're killing me Gio! :D Thank goodness Sauzo doesn't have a camera. :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

I think we've talked dogs here before. Apologies I always though you were a male until I saw this Avatar today.

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We probably have, if it's to do with dogs!
Lol no problem- you know, I figured most people probably thought I was an older dude and were getting dudely with me, which is why I finally changed it.

If I can find a reliable SD line that stays until 8', I would totally commit to one.