Hi Bruce,

Thanks. To be honest...here's how I set up the cages of my pythons (2 retics and 1 ball python) who's been with me for 4 years and counting.

1) secure tank/tub (cleaned 2 - 4x a month)
2) newspaper substrate (changed as soon as they make a mess)
3) water bowl (water's changed everyday/every other day)
4) hide box

...that's it. No heaters and no misting. I just let the Philippine climate take charge (since it's summer right now, temp averages roughly 85 deg F during the day, 77 deg F at night).

I actually considered BRB (rainbow boas) before but I was advised that "retic room temperature" isn't exactly going to be healthy for them (which led me to get another retic....LOL!). Will the same be true for python curtus?

Granted, my ball python may have already acclimated to Philippine climate (which explains why he was "sickly" at first but is all fine now...then again, I didn't know better when I first got him and he had to experience the very effective AC system of a Honda Civic); will I expect the same? or worse from any member of Python Curtus?

Books tell me that I should replicate the marshy/swampish environment....but I later realized that retics also live in similar areas (swamps, rainforests...almost anything except the beach...). Does this mean that the set up I listed above will NOT work for any member of Python Curtus? Or can I remedy this by using a larger water bowl? Or is the set up I'm using for my retics just fine?

So far...consensus is:

1) gaining their "trust" for handling purposes SHOULD be easier than say....retics

2) they don't "move" their wastes that often

Next question:

1) Books tell me that I should house a 50 lb blood python in a cage suitable for a 50 lb retic in order to avoid RI, yet I read in caresheets and in other forums, that smaller is better coz they are lazy and would feel more secure (secure = more likely to feed and tolerate handling). Will smaller cages be better in the long run? Or should I follow what I read in the books?

Still taking my time and doing my homework (caresheets and books NEVER mentioned anything about the "going potty every other month/season") and I plan to get one this July or December. Hopefully by then, I'd be able to gauge if I'm ready for a Python Curtus (red blood, black blood, short tail...they're all great for me!).

^_^