Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.

[Skyrivers]

Oh my..

Is that a optical illusion or is that actually a indentation above the spine and lumps and bumps along her side from FAT ?

If so...I would dial it way back. I know that can be tricky with Retics, because of the pushing issue, but boy, that is NOT healthy and will not make for a long life.

And that meal was not slightly to large, that was quite a bit to big While true, in the wild they can take down some pretty large stuff if they get their teeth on it, but in the wild they have to travel long distances in between meals and there may also be months in between meals. In captivity they spend 98% of the time laying around in a cage and food comes every week or 2.

Fat animals of any kind and species will have health problems.

But then, it may just be a optical illusion

I was honestly wondering the same thing. But based on photos of Rainbow from a little less than a year ago compared to the most recent, along with post history, I don't think there's any question that this is a snake that is being power fed (both in terms of prey size and frequency) and is well on her way to being obese, if she's not obese already.

I really don't understand the allure of forcing a snake to grow more quickly, especially when you're dealing with something like a retic.

Since retics seem to be rather high strung snakes that like to move around, perhaps it IS one way to keep them more quiet/docile and keep them from pushing? To let them eat as much as they want until they become rather overweight and somewhat "lazy" ?

I'm the first one to admit, I have NO personal experience with Retics, never owned one. So I do not pretend to be some expert and don't want to come across as one.

I have always admired them, though, and precariously lived through others that did/do own them. Followed many of them throughout many years.
But no, no personal experience at all.

Just going by the pictures, of the snake and the meal that was spoken about.

There is no doubt in my mind Skyrivers loves his snake, and perhaps it may help him if some other pairs of eyes see something that he may not, being so close to her emotionally. I don't mean to criticize, but boy, she does look rather chunky

With all the talk about her being large and lumpy I visited my friend that breeds them with her and we had a talk. He held her a few moments and then said, "She is not fat. She is gravid." He said that she is making eggs and with her being a virgin that the eggs should be all slugs or reabsorbed. He said she looks healthy but not fat. After a quick ultra sound he estimated around 60 or so developing eggs inside her. All around 4cm in diameter. He could not get over how gentle she was and amazing to handle and how tolerant of being examined she was. She is a good girl. It was suggested to build her an egg laying box. I will this weekend coming up. I don't expect pathogenesis. I expect slugs. I asked him about her appetite. She went off food for 4 weeks during winter and then started eating after attacking Monty. After eating the big bird I gave her 3-4 weeks before offering again. He said she will most likely not eat again till she drops the eggs. Who knows. She is amazing. I do have a plan if anything viable comes out but no expectations there.

I am sure the trolls will be coming my way but I don't care. I am raising her right.