If not a Burmese python...

[Tfpets]

There is no regulation (yet) on retics.

[pigfat]

you forgot to mention that they move alot lol.

anyways yeah rectics are nice. have any of you guys seen bob clark's rectic fluffy that won the guiness world record for the biggest snake at 24' i believe. anacondas are cool too, im just not a big fan of owning big snakes myself.

I've seen many of Bob's retic's and there's quite a few extremely large tics. He has some of the nicest retic morphs I've ever seen, the pieds take my breath away! He's great to deal with as well if you're wanting to buy a retic. That's where I got my purple albino and he's my favorite snake by far!

[Bluebonnet Herp]

So, anything aside from the longest snake in the world? Something better for the large snake newbie, as opposed to a giant corn snake with the appetite of a bearded dragon.
I like the idea of getting into Boa constrictor constrictors...

Added: Even if you have to downsize, that's cool too. I love the other features of Burms more so than their size. Those dark short tailed pythons have really caught my eye.

[Daybreaker]

So, anything aside from the longest snake in the world? Something better for the large snake newbie, as opposed to a giant corn snake with the appetite of a bearded dragon.
I like the idea of getting into Boa constrictor constrictors...

I fully recommend a boa (BCI, BCC, or BCO even) for a first big snake. I have two Argentine boas, a Hog Island "dwarf boa" (I think she's going to be on the bigger side), and three Colombian BCIs. My bf has a Guyana BCC boa and she's lovely: I love boas. BCCs do get larger so I'd look into those (BCOs can get on the bigger side too), but even Colombian females can get extra big. I recommend at least a 6' cage for a female so be prepared for that.

Here's my biggest boa, my jungle morph Colombian male (he's a June '10 baby and big for his size IMO):



I adore my retic female, she's one of my favorite snakes (don't tell my others that though). She is a mainland super tiger with big parents so I would expect her to get large, but I still wouldn't rule out a dwarf retic for you. They can get big too, with certain localities getting larger than others. I wouldn't count out them being on the ban list eventually though to be honest.

Here's my sweet girl, Estelle:

[Tfpets]

^Beautiful retic! I would have tons of them if they stayed that size! I'm afraid my boy is going to get really big. I was told dwarf when I got him but that was even second hand from the guy I got him from. I guess I'll have to post pics and find out for sure some day!

[Daybreaker]

I wouldn't count out them being on the ban list eventually though to be honest.

I want to rephrase this: I would count on them being on the ban list eventually is what I meant.

^Beautiful retic! I would have tons of them if they stayed that size! I'm afraid my boy is going to get really big. I was told dwarf when I got him but that was even second hand from the guy I got him from. I guess I'll have to post pics and find out for sure some day!

Thanks! I love her at this size but I can't till she starts getting some size on her. I would assume your guy will get on the big side to be safe, most dwarfs I see still get to be a considerable size.

[Tfpets]

Fingers crossed he maxes out at around 12'. Between him and my female burm, I may have my hands full in a few years! It's not hard to get overwhelmed when people figure out you have snakes! Somehow I keep getting everyone else's problems!

[reptileexperts]

To the OP:

I'd give my best reccommendation toward Dumeril's Boa. They can stay around 6-7 ft, or get up to 10-11 ft if allowed proper diet and caging. They have an amazing temperment, and of all the boas I have dealt with I would say they are one of the most prehistoric in their natural pattern and appearance.

Since you're saying this would be a first giant, I would avoid anything in the area of python reticulatus including Dwarf's or Super Dwarfs. There are a lot of mutts out there that are bred with the purpose of generating smaller morphs, but you still never exactly know what you end up with. They also have a feeding responce like no other snake I've ever worked with! They are an amazing snake, and I love my retics and will keep them for as long as I have the rights and ability. But if it's a first giant, it's not a smart direction. You can get a Superdwarf, but I'd highly suggest getting from a well known breeder like Mike Willbanks, Travis Kubes, Stephanie Laumeyer (Also known as the Snake Pusher), and to an extent Prehistoric Pets. All of these breeders will be able to get you a purer form of Super Dwarf than many of the others out there. These can be very rewarding snakes, but much precaution is needed with them. They strike fast, move fast, and are very powerful as adults. Dwarfs can be as tiny as 6' but also as large as 16' (Mainly Jampea ESPECIALLY female morph jampea with less tha 75% Jamp blood).

Burmse are very unique animals, and it's hard to match something with their power, grace, and gentle nature. They truly are gentle prehistoric giants. I have a 25% Dwarf Male Visual Granite Burmese, and he does mean the world to me, I dont believe there is a substitute for what Burmese Pythons can offer, but I do believe there are just as unique, prehistoric, large, and amazing snakes out there.

1 vote for Dumeril's Ground Boa
- Pros
- Cheap
- Large
- Tames easy
- Prehistoric and atttractive
- Unique
- Cons
- Not a burmese
- Sometimes hard to find good breeders
- Babies can be nippy (most snakes are like this)
- Females can be quite large (pro and con)

Good luck!

[The Serpent Merchant]

There is no regulation (yet) on retics.

Not 100% true, There aren't any nation wide bans, but there are some state level bans (like Florida )

[reptileexperts]

Texas has a permit system in Place for Retics, there are bans in Most if not all? of New York, and Ohio has very strict permit bans on Retics just to name a few as well. They are also up for the next addition to the Lacey Act as well as 2-3 more species of Anaconda, and BCI :-/ not that they will get the votes this time around . . .