Oh snap!

[nsiepert]

Yes, retics are capable of handling enormous meals. It's up to the discernment of each individual keeper to judge what is and isn't appropriate for their snakes.

What bothers me here is not the fact that retics are being fed large meals, but the "showboating" mentality that some people are using...showing off rather than educating fellow keepers who do not keep giants. This is a learning forum. If you're going to be a jerk instead of helping other people learn, then maybe this isn't the correct venue.




Folks, keep in mind that snakes do swell up remarkably after consuming a large meal - there's a lot going on in the gut digestion-wise at this point, and it can make a snake very bloated & gassy...I doubt what you're seeing in that pic is *all* prey, but probably a combination of prey + "digestive atmosphere" going on. We've fed substantial prey items to some our big retics, and they swell CONSIDERABLY after eating a large meal, giving the appearance of having consumed an item larger than what was really fed. This is where the discernment part comes in - it is critical to monitor temps & correct environmental factors when you do feed a snake a meal of this size...if your temps are off, you're inviting problems.

Personally I don't see a huge problem with the meals those retics are being fed...yes, they are capable of eating & quickly digesting large meals, especially as younger, growing animals. I do caution against making retics exceptionally huge, fat animals (it is possible to do, especially as they mature), as obesity seems to have a very negative impact on lifespan with this species.

Also Nick, I'm a little disappointed. Usually this hasn't been your typical forum behavior, so I'm confused as to why you'd come over here & start acting like a smart@$$. You know that Ryan is also a good friend of ours...frankly I'm kind of bummed to see you toss his name in with this rash of brazen posting that doesn't seem to give a lot of thought to the subject at hand. Nick, keep in mind that this forum is primarily made up of ball python keepers. They don't have experience with retics, but they're interested in learning about herp husbandry in all aspects. Why don't you try to help everyone understand retics better, instead of belittling folks for their lack of experience? Come on...big snake keepers are facing enough problems with anti-giant legislation without having to add stuff like this to the mix. Let's do what we can to IMPROVE the keeping of large constrictors, not hurt it.

Just my $.02

K~

Kara,
I was just sent a link to this mess about RKO feeding a rabbit that looked a little bit big for his retic, and dug through my pics to find the father of my babies with a serious sized meal in him.
I'm sorry I came and started posting negative stuff about bp's, I just don't see where the huge desire to own 1000.00 per foot snakes comes from.
This is my final post hereand I hope you all will accept my apology.

NicktheGreek

[AjBalls]

Grow em fast breed em young seems to be almost a standard in big snakes. This is just my opinion so don't get all bent out of shape people.

Also when is a prey item to big? When the snake refuses it? Regurgitates it?

That's a bit different with retics as most won't breed until they hit 3-4 years.

When a prey item is too big? No idea, perhaps when they cannot swallow it. I don't have any intentions of pushing mine to the limit though. I know retics can handle gigantic meals... but I care about mine too much to trying anything like that.

[AjBalls]

Yes, retics are capable of handling enormous meals. It's up to the discernment of each individual keeper to judge what is and isn't appropriate for their snakes.

What bothers me here is not the fact that retics are being fed large meals, but the "showboating" mentality that some people are using...showing off rather than educating fellow keepers who do not keep giants. This is a learning forum. If you're going to be a jerk instead of helping other people learn, then maybe this isn't the correct venue.




Folks, keep in mind that snakes do swell up remarkably after consuming a large meal - there's a lot going on in the gut digestion-wise at this point, and it can make a snake very bloated & gassy...I doubt what you're seeing in that pic is *all* prey, but probably a combination of prey + "digestive atmosphere" going on. We've fed substantial prey items to some our big retics, and they swell CONSIDERABLY after eating a large meal, giving the appearance of having consumed an item larger than what was really fed. This is where the discernment part comes in - it is critical to monitor temps & correct environmental factors when you do feed a snake a meal of this size...if your temps are off, you're inviting problems.

Personally I don't see a huge problem with the meals those retics are being fed...yes, they are capable of eating & quickly digesting large meals, especially as younger, growing animals. I do caution against making retics exceptionally huge, fat animals (it is possible to do, especially as they mature), as obesity seems to have a very negative impact on lifespan with this species.

Also Nick, I'm a little disappointed. Usually this hasn't been your typical forum behavior, so I'm confused as to why you'd come over here & start acting like a smart@$$. You know that Ryan is also a good friend of ours...frankly I'm kind of bummed to see you toss his name in with this rash of brazen posting that doesn't seem to give a lot of thought to the subject at hand. Nick, keep in mind that this forum is primarily made up of ball python keepers. They don't have experience with retics, but they're interested in learning about herp husbandry in all aspects. Why don't you try to help everyone understand retics better, instead of belittling folks for their lack of experience? Come on...big snake keepers are facing enough problems with anti-giant legislation without having to add stuff like this to the mix. Let's do what we can to IMPROVE the keeping of large constrictors, not hurt it.

Just my $.02

K~

Thanks for shedding some light on a messy situation.

[Kara]

Kara,
I was just sent a link to this mess about RKO feeding a rabbit that looked a little bit big for his retic, and dug through my pics to find the father of my babies with a serious sized meal in him.
I'm sorry I came and started posting negative stuff about bp's, I just don't see where the huge desire to own 1000.00 per foot snakes comes from.
This is my final post hereand I hope you all will accept my apology.

NicktheGreek

Understandable...by the same token, not everyone here understands the desire to own a "hundred foot per dollar" (ok, figuratively speaking) snake, either.

My main point here is that this isn't the type of behavior I've seen that is characteristic of you...normally you seem to be a very conscientious keeper who is VERY into his retics. Think about taking that enthusiasm & helping others learn. I know you have some awesome snakes....you should post a few pics here so we can all see why you enjoy them so much!!!

K~

[StormDragon]

A tuna????? Please!!!! No offense meant Kara, and I completely understand where you are coming from in that it is good for the long time keepers to help out, but this forum and all it's threads (from what I've read) seems to be ran by newbie keepers. Yourself excluded given what company you are from. But what got me involved in this thread was yes because someone I know (in my opinion) was being attacked based on an uneducated opinion on the Reticulted python species. That is why I chose to speak up. I also posted on several other threads so it was not like I came here just to bite back and defend. I was also 100% unaware that others would be signing up and posting but did comment after what they had said because it was completely correct. I'm not here as a "chest beater" or whatever. I found it strange that not one person on this forum asked me ANYTHING about what I said which was 100%correct. But yet they want to learn? How can you learn if you don't ask??????

I also have no problem about helping a new keeper or species specific keepers learn somthing new. That's the way it should be done. It just really irritated me to be sent a link "to this mess" and see what people were saying. I apologize if it came off harsh but do not take back anything I said.

If you feel that you or any other mod should ban me then that's fine. I understand. But maybe others should considering knowing the species before offering up advice or an opinion on it. This thread very well could have freaked out a new Retic keeper from what was said by some of the posters.

[8b8ll]

If you are too scared of snakes to step up to the big leagues and handle REAL SNAKES then go on trying to feed your pornsnake a rat!!

Didn't you just find your retic after it was lost for three weeks?

Stepping up to the big leagues are we Nick?

I'm sorry I have respect for you and think your a great guy, but was very surprised to find that you are the one behind this name and came on here bashing this place to no end.

Mike

[AjBalls]

Wrong person Mike....

[nsiepert]

Didn't you just find your retic after it was lost for three weeks?

Stepping up to the big leagues are we Nick?

I'm sorry I have respect for you and think your a great guy, but was very surprised to find that you are the one behind this name and came on here bashing this place to no end.

Mike

Things happen for weird reasons Mike, and yes I did just find Dezi two days ago.

[8b8ll]

Things happen for weird reasons Mike, and yes I did just find Dezi two days ago.

Right on man.

On that note I'm glad she is back in good hands! No hard feelings brother!

Mike

[AjBalls]

Nevermind... I'm thinking someone else Mike. My apology...