I'll have to agree with Daniel on the annie's strength... to a degree. Yes they feel as if they're about a hundred times stronger than a similar sized retic, but there are behavioral differences explaining this.
While retics are at least semi-arboreal, anaconda's are not and usually have every inch of their body either touching ground or water. When we hold our snakes, the retics are at ease because of their semi-arboreal habits and are assured that if they feel they will fall a quick flex of their muscles will keep them in place. An anaconda gets picked up and feels very insecure, at least until they learn this ritual.
I had at least 10 years of experience with burms and retics before I acquired a green. Definitely wonderful snakes, but I'm not so sure I would say go ahead and start with one.
If you can confidently acquire trust with your rat snake, and are able to "read" its intentions when you open its enclosure, then you're acquiring some of the skills you'll need to be a good giant owner.
Establishing trust with your Ornate will be similar, but a lot more patience is required with monitors.
Chris
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