I want to buy every python I see- everywhere.

[Bluebonnet Herp]

And Sea Monkeys.

Let's not forget their leafy brethren...

[Expensive hobby]

Yeah, but after 5429 repetitions of, "do you know how big retics get"?, it starts to feel a little like a beat down. I'm gonna go waaaaay out on a limb here, but I'm pretty sure the OP knows how big a retic can get...

A lot of people know how big retics get but they don't actually understand how big they get. I didn't know how big they actually got until I got to experience a full size female. It is a little overwhelming when you first see one in person.

A lot of people assume it's like a big BP, but they arent. They have a much different personality. Their strength is just absurd. Their speed can be crazy given their size.

If you haven't handled a full size girl yet I would recommend it to anyone. It can be a sobering experience. It ALMOST made me reconsider getting into retics. Now I own 6 with another shipping Monday lol.

If the OP has a dream of owning retics burms and gators, I hope she pursues it. But for the sake of the hobby and the animals, even for herself, I hope she gets some hands on experience with a big girl or two.

I can't speak to the gators tho, haven't owned one and most likely never will. That's an animal that I don't believe I have the resources for, nor the experience to care for one adequately. If I ever get the itch, I will find an experienced, seasoned handler, and get some experience before I dive into them.

I'm not an expert by any means when it comes to tics, but I have a passion for them and have, and still am mentoring with a seasoned breeder that owns some seriously big girls. Cleaning cages, water bowls, moving them from one cage to another, handling, learning their behavior, quirks etc. All of that will better prepare me. No such thing as too much experience when it comes to large, potentially dangerous constrictors.

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[MonkeyShuttle]

Not even. I had a whole colony die on me a couple years back. Granted I was around 12 yrs old, I didn't know a whole bunch on caring for them, albeit I tried.

Im sure their care sheet could be printed on a business card


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[Slim]

To quote Sony & Cher, "and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on...da da da da de...da da da da da dum"

[Mr. Misha]

My pet rock has you all beat! Sometimes they bite though...

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[Expensive hobby]

My pet rock has you all beat! Sometimes they bite though...

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I love the air holes in the box haha. Can't let it suffocate now can we

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[Phantomtip]

I have volunteered and worked with gators. They are beautiful creatures that don't want to be messed with except to be fed. They are hard to handle and wild. They can't be tamed. They are true living dinosaurs. I'm not trying to crush anyone's dreams. I want them to understand the nature of this wondrously beautiful creature. One wrong move, one instance of inattention, or the animal getting startled could cause some serious damage, or even death. I'm not being mean or harping, I'm stating facts. IF you still think you can handle them also remember for as tough and strong they seem if they get sick then the vet bill can be very expensive. Also not all reptile vets will deal with a gator. I would seriously suggest mentoring with someone who has a lot of experience with working with them. They can teach you so much. Mentor with anyone that has a true passion for reptiles. I've seen what can happen when a large female retic isn't cared for properly. They move as fast as lightning. I've seen 1 bite a grown man, and bite him 3 to 4 times before starting to wrap him. There were 5 of us there and it happened before we could move. Just 3 seconds is all it took to send him to the ER with 3 bad bites, and a bruised rib. That's why I have to say mentor with a good reputable owner.

[Zombree]

Thank you all for your responses, I value all of them and the time everyone put into answering
I have experience handling and maintaining the enclosures for sub adult reticulated pythons as well as green anacondas. They are not mine, but I have been in the front row of my cousin's herp collection for years. I have never loved anything as much as I have loved holding and caring for those large animals. They are great, impressive and deserve respect.
I spend a great deal of time researching animals as well as their requirements in feeding, housing and attention. I would never put an animal into a situation that was unstable or unfair to him/her, thus why I have not purchased any potentially large reptiles- yet. I don't think it would be fair to them being placed in a home with a partner who wasn't 100% with me on the endeavor.
I understand the financial costs, the physical demands, the unsavory parts of the husbandry as well as the amazing rewards of caring for these animals.
The only thing holding me back is my partner and his fears of me eventually being eaten. I need someone who will stand with me, not against me. I am beginning to realize this :x
Thank you all so much for your responses again, I am still reading some of them
- Bree