Dwarf/SD Retics

[NorthernRegius]

This is why i am starting my research and questions now. Im not so much looking for the smallest snake possible, im looking for something that i dont have to worry getting HUGE and unmanagable and something that in 2-4 years i wouldnt be abelt to handle and have to give up. I know the SDs dont look exactly like the mainlanders, but i ahve seen people on here with SDs that are close to the big guys and thats the type of look i would be going for. I think the dark background with the black pattern is just amazing, or a tiger

but i am getting ahead of myself im want something under 12' so that i dont always have to have someone there when i have it out. My gf is real cool with snakes, but her limit is about 6' so if i ever got in trouble she would play the scenario in her head

"hmm if i dont save him i get the corvette and our animal collection, and if i do save him i get nothing. Either way i risk running up to a snake 3x as big as me.... *picks up keys and walks out*"

ill check out everyones links and start making my xmas list

You bet!
Here's some pics of mine-

[warman0712]

What would I get if I want a snake that gets over full grown female ball python size but under a full grown retic or burm? How big do SD's get and how big do Dwarfs get? Also what are there prices as baby's for SD's and D's?I want something different than a carpet python but also a bit bigger. Thanks.

[SS4Luck]

well dwarfs can get 12+ feet and SDs stay under 10 more around 8

[warman0712]

Thanks.

[alohareptiles]

To those who have SD's...

Do you have to ever use a hook with them? Are there any hints when trying to tame a more aggresive SD? I'm probably gonna be picking one up in the near future...

[redstormlax12]

I never have used a hook on my SD. He's not even close to aggressive which is awsome. I think they get a aggressive reputation because of their feeding response. You can hook train yours if you would like but i dont really think it is necessary.

[mainbutter]

From what I've seen online, it seems that many people have crossed SDs to create smaller morph retics.

Unfortunatly this leads to "mutting" with sd/dwarf/mainland crosses, and this becomes a huge problem with the morph siblings..

I have seen plenty of snakes labeled as "super dwarves" that don't look like super dwarves. They don't have the darker coloring and smaller head and slight difference in pattern, in fact they very much like they have some mainland influence in them.

It is just something to note, if you want a super dwarf get it from a breeder who is working with pure SDs.

If you want something a little bigger than a SD, mutt crosses shouldn't be hard to find! Find any breeder making "super dwarf" morphs, and ask about normal siblings.

Hope that helps

[mainbutter]

To those who have SD's...

Do you have to ever use a hook with them? Are there any hints when trying to tame a more aggresive SD? I'm probably gonna be picking one up in the near future...

IMO it's a good idea to hook train any snake that has a strong feeding response. Removing a snake from your hand during a feeding response bite, even on a reasonable sized snake, can not only be painful, but stressful on the snake.

[alohareptiles]

[QUOTE=mainbutter;1215774]IMO it's a good idea to hook train any snake that has a strong feeding response. Removing a snake from your hand during a feeding response bite, even on a reasonable sized snake, can not only be painful, but stressful on the snake.[/QUOTE]

What is your suggestion if this happens...I've heard a plethora of suggestions, but the main one seems to be stay calm...The rest has been a variety from spraying, forcing or just leaving...

[mainbutter]

What would I get if I want a snake that gets over full grown female ball python size but under a full grown retic or burm? How big do SD's get and how big do Dwarfs get? Also what are there prices as baby's for SD's and D's?I want something different than a carpet python but also a bit bigger. Thanks.

"Dwarf" retics are certainly capable of getting bigger than the biggest of carpet pythons. I've seen a vid of a jampea dwarf retic that gives many 4 or 5 year old burms a run for their money.

Pure SDs don't get much bigger than 8 feet for females, 6 feet for males. On top of that they stay pretty darn skinny. A mature male SD retic might very well be outweighed by many large female BPs.

Crosses made between SDs and dwarves and mainlands (usually for the purpose of morph genes from mainlands to mix with the size of smaller locality retics) can be pretty variable, but if you find something with 50% or more SD in it you'll likely end up with a manageable snake.