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Hey all, so i feel like i might actually be getting close to getting a big guy. I'm leaning retic (despite the recent "ouch" thread) but burms are still very much in play. Naturally, i am combing the forums trying to find some of the especially good threads i've read,(if anyone has a favorite that they would like to link here i would certainly appreciate it) but am also looking for good books on the subject of keeping either species. An amazon search yields lots of results, but i wanted your picks, something akin to Russo's "Complete Boa..." if such a book exists.
Thanks in advance!

Is it the size that is seducing you or the personalty / inquisitiveness of Retics / Burms ??

It's just that I've got. Dwarf SunGlow boa , Dwarf Hypo Burm and a Super Dwarf Purple Albino Retic and they're all really small ( and placid ) but they all have other traits of their bigger counterparts .
I'm expecting all three to stay under 7' long .

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No books on the care of retics that I know of but this is a great thread. Watch Cody's retic videos on YouTube as well.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...nd-Information
Not sure what size constitutes "big guy" for you but I'd also suggest preparing for an animal bigger than expected and then hopefully be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't reach said larger size. Unless you're looking for a true giant.


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The size is a major factor for me, there's just something about big animals that gets me all warm and fuzzy inside, that being said I don't want one of the "true Giants" 10 to 12 feet with the girth of a man's arm feels like a good fit for me. Personality and behavior is one of the reasons I haven't decided between retic or burm. I'm aware of the general "more active/smart" reputation that retics have but I really want to get some much deeper information before I actually make a choice because although the activity level is appealing to me the classic calm demeanor associated with Burms is also very appealing especially since I have kids. I also happen to prefer the looks of retics, not that Burms aren't beautiful but if all of the things were completely equal I would prefer the retic on looks. I should mention with regard to looks I want an albino, I don't actually plan on doing any sort of educational events or kids parties but for me there's just nothing cooler than a big yellow snake!
I have watched those three videos by Cody so many times that I can practically recite them, lol. I wish he would post some update videos although I know he's got a lot of other stuff going on, but I'm curious to see some of those medium big snakes a few years later now. It also seems like he feeds very liberally and I'd like to learn about different feeding strategies and the growth results thereof.

My two cents...

I would not keep a giant for the same reason I won't keep hots. I have small children. I would constantly be double checking everything to make sure the animal cannot get out and that my kids were unable to let it out. It would probably keep me from sleeping at night. I know when I was young, no matter what my parents said I would have wanted to mess with that animal if it was in the house.

Depends on level of experience and if you can ensure it stays contained. But I'd suggest a male burm if you want to learn keeping the big ones.

I wouldn't advise dwarfs because it's a corruption of the greatest python in the world. Want a nice tame 8 footer, get a coastal carpet python like mine. She's still growing too. Hell if you wanna drive 5 hours I'll sell her to you.

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Originally Posted by The_Godfather

I wouldn't advise dwarfs because it's a corruption of the greatest python in the world.

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This is the second time that you've mentioned wrong info on dwarf's, specifically retics. They are not a corruption, but a locality that do not achieve giant size. Why do you keep alluding to that?:confusd:

I know what island dwarfism is. I'm very cynical about how in this race to make morphs and even smaller dwarves we've inbred and messed their genetics all to hell.

Over a decade ago "dwarves" didn't get a whole lot smaller, still 10-13 feet if fed. These aren't the same as island dwarves.

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Originally Posted by The_Godfather

I know what island dwarfism is. I'm very cynical about how in this race to make morphs and even smaller dwarves we've inbred and messed their genetics all to hell.

Over a decade ago "dwarves" didn't get a whole lot smaller, still 10-13 feet if fed. These aren't the same as island dwarves.

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I understand to get any of the morphs the SD are being bred with mainlands, but in another post you said you were disgusted "They" dwarfed retics. Who did? Now you're saying they're corrupted. Lol

I just think in the long run this morph game we're playing is slowly degrading their genes.

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Originally Posted by The_Godfather

I just think in the long run this morph game we're playing is slowly degrading their genes.

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But you want to isolate a giant gene to breed unnatural giant snakes!

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Originally Posted by RamMac

But you want to isolate a giant gene to breed unnatural giant snakes!

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Yes I've thought of the double standard. I'm researching a way to acquire a couple WC despite the ban to strengthen the bloodline.

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Originally Posted by The_Godfather

Yes I've thought of the double standard. I'm researching a way to acquire a couple WC despite the ban to strengthen the bloodline.

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Well at least you're honest about it. Anyway, good luck with your breeding business.

I don't own giants, so take my opinion for what It's worth... (not much lol). I'd see if you can find someone local to you that has adults of both species that you can interact with.. See which one you like dealing with more and go with that.

Know that with any giant, it is advised that you have a second person when the snake hits 10' or more to help with all handling, etc. even if just moving cages, it's a good idea to have a second person there. I once saw a post and video by a retic keeper who was struck during cage cleaning, the retic happened to nick a vein and the guy was lucky to have a second person on hand to help contain the snake and then get him to the hospital.. He showed the aftermath on the video (bite with stitches and the floor of the area where he got bit) there was tons of blood on the floor and it is is a good possibility that he could have bled out without help. I'm not saying that is common, but it is something to consider with these guys.

Burmese tend to get pretty thick, so if you are wanting a thinner snake, then a retic would probably be better. I don't know much about the dwarf Burmese, but I think they tend to stay very small (smaller than "dwarf" retics).

I agree with other posters that security will be an issue.. If your kids are young, especially lower elementary or younger, than I would very much advise a locked cage and even a locked reptile room to keep it in, with the keys out of reach of the kids. Even if they are upper elementary age (and understand right from wrong and what could happen) I would still not allow them access to the cage keys.

What is the largest snake you have now (just curious)? Female BCC boas can get pretty darn large and are a good mix of active and relaxed. If you've never had a snake over ~6', an 8'-10' BCC might be a good choice.

I agree with pretty much everything you're saying, security will definitely be a major factor while designing their enclosures, as far as local keepers I'm definitely going to keep my eye out see if maybe someone wants to let me help clean cages one day or something. Right now I have two young boas, both BCI. Part of wanting a big python is both to diversify my collection but also, as I mentioned before regarding my obsession with size, I want to relieve stress I feel about their growth. It makes me crazy to think that it's going to be five years before they achieve any real size and I'm certainly not going to power feed them to try and speed it up, I figure if I have one animal that gets big relatively quickly it will satiate that part of my hobby and I can just let my boas grow nice and slow and stop stressing about it all the time.

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Originally Posted by The_Godfather

Yes I've thought of the double standard. I'm researching a way to acquire a couple WC despite the ban to strengthen the bloodline.

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Just saw your ISO on the retic classified group, should be interesting to see what you come up with. Re your costal; just out of curiosity, do you have a pic, whats her temperament like, and how much, just out of curiosity.

I'll pm you my cell #, sound cool?

I mean on some level I'll be breeding like I always wanted. But hell sometimes if you shoot for the stars and fail at least you made it to the moon, right?

Here's a pic I took for measuring the coastal. She has a significant appetite and is as docile as a ball python. She's even grown longer so she may hit the 10' mark. She'd make you very happy, I'm just focusing all efforts on other fronts.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...al-cages-merge

Another thing i'm trying to wrap my head around is retic patterning, they really do their name justice. Maybe i'm just more used to boas, but i am pretty good at scrutinizing them on looks, not expert, but i think i've developed a pretty keen eye for many of the subtleties of the patterns. But with tics i feel like i'm looking at a kaleidoscope, i can distinguish the obvious stuff, but i mean like comparing 2 normals and deciding which one is cleaner or prettier, i'm stumped at this point. Any tips? Not that looks will be the be-all end-all in my search, i'm just trying to expand my knowledge.
For example, i'm looking at a couple of purples on fauna right now, and they are single gene purples, but i cant tell if any are better looking than the others at this point.

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Originally Posted by dkatz4

Another thing i'm trying to wrap my head around is retic patterning, they really do their name justice. Maybe i'm just more used to boas, but i am pretty good at scrutinizing them on looks, not expert, but i think i've developed a pretty keen eye for many of the subtleties of the patterns. But with tics i feel like i'm looking at a kaleidoscope, i can distinguish the obvious stuff, but i mean like comparing 2 normals and deciding which one is cleaner or prettier, i'm stumped at this point. Any tips? Not that looks will be the be-all end-all in my search, i'm just trying to expand my knowledge.
For example, i'm looking at a couple of purples on fauna right now, and they are single gene purples, but i cant tell if any are better looking than the others at this point.

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True !

Isn't the pattern/patterning where the Reticulated name originates from ??

Same / similar pattern as seen on Giraffes

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

True !

Isn't the pattern/patterning where the Reticulated name originates from ??

Same / similar pattern as seen on Giraffes

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it is, reticulated (adj) means a having a pattern that is crossed and connected like a net or network. Totally accurate in my opinion, so pretty but so confusing to look at, obviously excellent camouflage.

Hey so in the quest for a big snake, the Burms made some headway today, needless to say they have at least one very enthusiastic fan in the family now :D

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2FIMG_0976.jpg[/IMG]

I am feeling more and more like a burm is the way to go. It just feels like there are more variables behavior wise with the retic than I am really prepared for at this point. But I would love for someone to try and "convince me" otherwise. Not literally looking for someone to hard-sell me on retics, just looking for more points of view. I am in no rush to pick up this new snake so I want to make the right decision.


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