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  1. #1
    BPnet Royalty Gio's Avatar
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    Time to move on. Semi graphic.

    The hobby for me has always been about observation, relaxation and in frequent, but quality handling.
    I've enjoyed building naturalistic caging and studying the biology of each species I have chosen to work with.

    I have several real, scientific field studies of various snake species saved to my computer and I have purchased literature that goes far beyond the "pet care" format that most snake related publications tend to lean toward. Knowing my pets real world behaviors and biology is very important to me.

    I purchased a SD X Dwarf X Mainland, male retic back in 2016 and I was thrilled at the idea of having a small, but active apex predator in my collection.

    Sadly, he grew larger than I was expecting, and even worse his aggression levels were completely the opposite of what I'd planned for.

    Wallace was re-homed today, and though I'm somewhat saddened that I was not able to continue my relationship with him, There is a sense of relief that he is going to a great home. He's already lined up as a breeding male with his new keeper who specializes in the species.

    I made a valiant effort to work through the issues that I had with this animal. But after 3 bites, with each of them getting worse, I had to put ego aside and admit that the species is more than I could handle without any help and also more involved than I wanted to be with one single animal.

    The other three snakes took a backseat to Wallace because he required much more from me.

    This photo was taken last summer when he went wild and attacked and coiled around a snake hook. I tried getting him off the hook by using a rag soaked in Listerine. He attacked it and actually started to try to eat it.


    Bite number one was nothing but a scared, defensive bite and nothing I hadn't experienced from my other animals.


    Bite number two occurred in January of 2019 and was a bit more concerning but still didn't sway my from keeping the species.



    After the second bite however, his attitude changed as did his size. Every day I was challenged by him and hook training seemed to fuel the fire. He'd attack the five foot hook I purchased and I eventually had to rub hand sanitizer on the hook to prevent him from biting it.

    Once I was able to get him to retreat, he'd always come back around and face off. I worked through some of that and usually was able to get some level of compliance when I'd fully lift him out of the cage. He'd typically settle and seemed to do better when I would not wear the kevlar bite gloves.

    But I had now come to the point where I was feeling the effort and risk VS reward were starting to make the experience more stressful than enjoyable.

    The last straw came at the end of last week.

    This was a pretty good bite and a 10 minute fight. Although I remained relaxed and didn't pull back, it was painful and I was not happy.

    He came out fine, then started to tense up, he constricted and came back on me and nailed my right hand.




    That's my left index. I'm not even sure how that hand was involved.

    This is where he got me good.


    There is damage to the palm that I didn't photo but you get the gist.

    I have a lot more to add to this but I have to leave the house now.

    Folks, have a plan for critters that may give you a run for the money.

    I never once thought about putting this guy down for being what he is. I simply was not the keeper for him so I found somebody with years and years of experience and gave him away, No money, no trades, nothing except the promise that he'd have a good home.

    I'll miss him a little but there is a reason the reticulated python forum isn''t packed with posts.

    These guys are demanding and most are not ready.

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  3. #2
    BPnet Lifer dakski's Avatar
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    Re: Time to move on. Semi graphic.

    Gio,

    I understand having to move on. I did it with a monitor recently and a kingsnake many years ago. More than I bargained for. In your case, you are at risk more than I was and that means you had no choice.

    Sounds like you found him a good home and that’s all anyone could ask of you. I hope it gives you peace of mind as well.

    Take care and be well.

    David

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  5. #3
    BPnet Senior Member richardhind1972's Avatar
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    Re: Time to move on. Semi graphic.

    I think it's far the best thing Gio,
    That last bite was pretty nasty. Just glad he's going to a good home and as you say far better than having to have him put down.
    At least now you can concentrate on your other serpents

    Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

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  7. #4
    bcr229's Avatar
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    I understand completely and it's why my pure SD male is going on a plane to CA once we get safe shipping weather in a few weeks. My pure SD male is actually the worst-acting of the three males I keep, and while he hasn't drawn blood on either me or my husband I believe that's because we have become adept at redirecting his ire when we do have to take him out. He does insist on peeing on us though, every time he's out, and it's very obvious and deliberate.

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  9. #5
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    Im sorry it came to that, man. But at this point it's clear you did what's best for you, and the animal. Huge props to you for swallowing your pride, it's not easy, I know. And thanks for sharing your story. The educational value is priceless.

    Wishing you and your crew all the best moving forward.

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  11. #6
    BPnet Royalty Gio's Avatar
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    Re: Time to move on. Semi graphic.

    Quote Originally Posted by bcr229 View Post
    I understand completely and it's why my pure SD male is going on a plane to CA once we get safe shipping weather in a few weeks. My pure SD male is actually the worst-acting of the three males I keep, and while he hasn't drawn blood on either me or my husband I believe that's because we have become adept at redirecting his ire when we do have to take him out. He does insist on peeing on us though, every time he's out, and it's very obvious and deliberate.
    Thank you!
    This post makes me feel half way decent. As do others but I think your SD experience parallels mine
    That and the male combo seem a lot to handle.

    They are a serious pet that takes a lot of commitment.

    I’m a “fish tank “ reptile type of guy. 😊

    Less is more

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  13. #7
    BPnet Lifer redshepherd's Avatar
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    OUCH that last bite. I'm sorry you went through those!!

    I haven't been updated on the happenings on your snakes in awhile, but I am wondering how long/large was he when you rehomed him?

    edit: Also I just saw that you rehomed him for free to the good home, which is really nice of you to do.
    Last edited by redshepherd; 02-23-2020 at 05:48 PM.




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  15. #8
    BPnet Veteran WrongPython's Avatar
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    Re: Time to move on. Semi graphic.

    I have nothing but respect for those who decide to re-home an animal after doing proper research, trying their best, and admitting things just aren't working out. I've seen this type of thing happen before with horses (which can also be scary and dangerous when things aren't working out), and it's always a relief to see both owner and animal move on to better partners. You did well by Wallace and put in far more effort than most other people would have in your situation. Props to you for that and finding him a good new home.

    Thank you for sharing your journey with Wallace - it's not often that people honestly share experiences like yours in this hobby. If it's any consolation, your story (and others', such as bcr229's) has helped me keep my screen name from becoming an unfortunate reality. I think the amount of SD buyers' remorse around here is very telling -- as one carpet breeder put it to me, a 6' retic is a 6' retic. No matter how small the retic is, it's still an active, advanced-level animal. I've personally come to realize that they're more than I'm long-term prepared/willing to deal with and that they're just not the snake for me, no matter how much I love them. So, thank you again for sharing your story - it's helped keep a similar one from coming about.
    0.1 Sonoran Boa sigma​: "Adelita" ('19 Hypo het. leopard)
    1.0 Boa imperator longicauda: "Kuzco" ('19 het. anery)
    0.1 West Papuan Morelia spilota​: "Pandora" ('20)

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  17. #9
    BPnet Royalty Gio's Avatar
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    Re: Time to move on. Semi graphic.

    Quote Originally Posted by redshepherd View Post
    OUCH that last bite. I'm sorry you went through those!!

    I haven't been updated on the happenings on your snakes in awhile, but I am wondering how long/large was he when you rehomed him?

    edit: Also I just saw that you rehomed him for free to the good home, which is really nice of you to do.
    Hi there,

    He was an 8 footer and probably 25-30 pounds. Some people don't realize how much snake an 8 footer really can be. Retics are another level, and outside of the King Cobra and possibly scrubs they are like nothing else.

    Wrong Python,

    What a nice post, and thank you.

    If you have been on this board for any length of time, you can watch 3 of us here all come into this species around the same time. I won't name names unless the others want to jump in, but we are all out of the species.

    I was able to make it almost 4 years with mine, but he was still growing, which I found strange and his "maleness" was really starting to dominate his personality.

    Food didn't change him, he was ready to fight if I misted the cage.

    I actually had to toss about 8 bags of snow into his cage to cool him enough to move him. I had his heat off for 2 days prior to that.

    The new owner remarked that he was fired up in his pillow case when he took him.

    Thinking long term, I knew I'd have no help, and placing this species is not easy. They are sought after by a very select minority of keepers.

    You can sell, trade or place a boa, royal, carpet or like animal rather easily, but the serious snakes like retics require a plan B.

    My retic was beautiful and I'm thankful I had a chance to learn more about the species.

    I'm a boa constrictor and carpet python kind of person from here out.
    Last edited by Gio; 02-23-2020 at 07:01 PM.

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  19. #10
    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    It's all been said & you'll hear no criticism from me either, you made the right choice for both you & and the snake, no shame in that. Keeping snakes is supposed
    to be fun, & that last bite especially surely wasn't fun, nor was the amount of stress trying to deal with him, and at the expense of time spent with the others too.

    He turned into quite the little slasher... I for one am glad that you wisely chose to re-home him, & I'm very impressed that you have the guts to share this exper-
    ience here so that others might avoid making a similar miscalculation. Snakes all have their own personalities (much like other creatures) and not all are pleasant to be
    around, much less suitable as "pets", that's for sure. From some of your previous posts, I can honestly say I'm not surprised that you've moved on, & I'm glad you did
    so while still mostly intact. Here's to quick healing & happier days!
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

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