New Retic Owner Cage Question

So, my fiancé and I primarily work with ball pythons, but we recently bought a Purple Motley mainland Retic. She’s friggin gorgeous!

Anyways, I’m looking for feedback on where I can find a good cage for her as she grows into adulthood. We’ve got her covered for now, but I would like to get a display style cage in the next year or so.

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Originally Posted by MusicCityMack

So, my fiancé and I primarily work with ball pythons, but we recently bought a Purple Motley mainland Retic. She’s friggin gorgeous!

Anyways, I’m looking for feedback on where I can find a good cage for her as she grows into adulthood. We’ve got her covered for now, but I would like to get a display style cage in the next year or so.

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Animal Plastics is probably a great place. Or build your own if you are handy.

A mainland female is going to get rather large in most cases. Retics are semi arboreal and even the large specimens will use perches and ceiling space.

I don't picture most folks being able to keep a large animal in a cage that offers climbing opportunities, as it would take up a huge amount of room.

The commitment is tremendous with this species.

Good luck.

Thanks! Trust me, we did not take this purchase lightly. I’ve been around big snakes for awhile, but have always been reluctant to keep them myself.

I’ve checked out Animals Plastics’ cages, and they seem to be reasonably priced.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by MusicCityMack

Thanks! Trust me, we did not take this purchase lightly. I’ve been around big snakes for awhile, but have always been reluctant to keep them myself.

I’ve checked out Animals Plastics’ cages, and they seem to be reasonably priced.


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How large are the parents of your mainland?

I'm glad your other half is going to help. I had to re-home my male Dwarf x SD x mainland. He became highly aggressive at maturity and unfortunately I was not able to deal with that on my own. My family was not interested in helping.

I did/do have a nice retic cage that will go to a new boa or carpet.

Unfortunately Ed Lilley from Constrictors NW no longer makes cages.

My guy was 8-9 feet. This cage is 6' wide 30" deep and 2 feet tall.

https://i.imgur.com/MhOkmxO.jpg

He's a little guy here but you can see him using the perches.

https://i.imgur.com/eC9bIGZ.jpg

I used a real tree trunk, a big wooden fence post wrapped in twine and a long closet dowel wrapped with fake vines.
https://i.imgur.com/5YbiIYx.jpg

He was absolutely the best display snake I've ever kept. He was highly arboreal and always on the move, I miss him in that aspect.
https://i.imgur.com/wU15Try.jpg

I dressed this cage up with a high quality rubber, rock background.

https://i.imgur.com/NVJuUR1.jpg

Maybe check with Monster Cages.

Dam is about 16-17 feet. I didn’t get to see the sire, so I’m not sure there. I do expect her to get
15+ eventually.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by MusicCityMack

Dam is about 16-17 feet. I didn’t get to see the sire, so I’m not sure there. I do expect her to get
15+ eventually.


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Yeah,

My cage is set for 10-11 foot lean animal tops!

You should really look for a custom build if you want a display cage for animal that large. Expensive? Yes, but totally worth it in the end.

Invest big up front and you'll be rewarded and so will the snake.

Oh yeah, we’re already planning on just getting her a big cage and setting up a naturalistic environment. She has been doing well with socializing, minus the one time she bit me (which was 100% MY fault).

In the meantime, here’s a picture of her claiming my snake hook.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5668ef4a18.jpg


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She's beautiful!

Females tend to be a lot more relaxed than the males, and from everything I hear, the mainlands tend to be easier to deal with.

I guess I'd recommend setting aside some $$ and gradually building something special.

Keep the pictures coming!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MusicCityMack

Thanks! Trust me, we did not take this purchase lightly. I’ve been around big snakes for awhile, but have always been reluctant to keep them myself.

I’ve checked out Animals Plastics’ cages, and they seem to be reasonably priced.


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Not only reasonably priced but the best quality out there. Some people dont realize how different PVC enclosures can be. I had a Burm push the back off my Boaphile. I didnt know it was glued together and only 1/4” PVC. I wish I never bought it. All my others are AP enclosures. I sold my vision as the design is terrible for RHP’s. Also hard to clean with all the Ups and Downs. I like a nice smooth interior without crevices to clean.
The T70 is a must for a mainland size snake. Unless your close to them your looking at $230 freight pallet delivery. With LED’s & Locks I pay $975 for T70’s. I have Custom Bases made too. They look like a enclosure just without glass. They will do a 12”H x 8’L x 3’D for $325. They are 6 sided not like the framed 8” bases they sell.
I use 2 RHP’s in my 8’ enclosures. 150 watt. I only run the Herpstats on 80% power but I want that Wattage RHP incase the Furnace went out ect and I had to heat enclosures in a 50 degree house.
Check out “Burmese/Giant Pythons Addicts” on FB. Its my group. [emoji1360]



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Quote:

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

Not only reasonably priced but the best quality out there. Some people dont realize how different PVC enclosures can be. I had a Burm push the back off my Boaphile. I didnt know it was glued together and only 1/4” PVC. I wish I never bought it. All my others are AP enclosures. I sold my vision as the design is terrible for RHP’s. Also hard to clean with all the Ups and Downs. I like a nice smooth interior without crevices to clean.
The T70 is a must for a mainland size snake. Unless your close to them your looking at $230 freight pallet delivery. With LED’s & Locks I pay $975 for T70’s. I have Custom Bases made too. They look like a enclosure just without glass. They will do a 12”H x 8’L x 3’D for $325. They are 6 sided not like the framed 8” bases they sell.
I use 2 RHP’s in my 8’ enclosures. 150 watt. I only run the Herpstats on 80% power but I want that Wattage RHP incase the Furnace went out ect and I had to heat enclosures in a 50 degree house.
Check out “Burmese/Giant Pythons Addicts” on FB. Its my group. [emoji1360]



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I thought Boaphiles were seam welded and didn't have any glue involved.

That said, I haven't seen a Boaphile cage meant for retics.

Mathew Martin makes cages. I believe Monster Cages is still in business.

Honestly, a display cage for a really big retic, needs more than the typical cage manufacturing company. IF,,,, display is your goal.

This is probably a very expensive option. http://www.jworlds.net

That said, if you have one retic and display is your goal, I'd look into it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

I thought Boaphiles were seam welded and didn't have any glue involved.
That said, I haven't seen a Boaphile cage meant for retics.

.

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I called the Owner at Boaphile and he acted like it was no big deal, I have the good one with black hardware and all.. I said “what can I do now” he said “do what I do and PVC glue it back on... “
I was furious. The back is just glued like a old entertainment center. I only use it now when Im cleaning a cage Gio but its Junk. The top is now touching the plexy so I have to lift up a little to close the door. The RHP makes it sag because the PVC is so thin. (24”x15” RHP)
I wouldn’t even sell it to anyone as id be afraid their snake would escape and Id feel responsible.
They make up to 8’Lx 2’Dx 17.5”h enclosures for larger snakes.
All I use now is AP.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

I called the Owner at Boaphile and he acted like it was no big deal, I have the good one with black hardware and all.. I said “what can I do now” he said “do what I do and PVC glue it back on... “
I was furious. The back is just glued like a old entertainment center. I only use it now when Im cleaning a cage Gio but its Junk. The top is now touching the plexy so I have to lift up a little to close the door. The RHP makes it sag because the PVC is so thin. (24”x15” RHP)
I wouldn’t even sell it to anyone as id be afraid their snake would escape and Id feel responsible.
They make up to 8’Lx 2’Dx 17.5”h enclosures for larger snakes.
All I use now is AP.


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That’s not good.
I never knew that. I actually thought the units were one piece with no glue.

I never liked the ceiling space even for boas.

Retics are another ball game

Mainland retics are all together different.

She's really pretty.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MusicCityMack

Thanks! Trust me, we did not take this purchase lightly. I’ve been around big snakes for awhile, but have always been reluctant to keep them myself.

I’ve checked out Animals Plastics’ cages, and they seem to be reasonably priced.


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animal plastics is awesome. But lead times suck. If you want to go
this route, order now. I’ve been waiting since mid October 2019 for mine.