How can I grow my Retic slowly?

[jagolden]

I guess I worded the question wrong. I know they get big. I have burmese pythons and female red tail boas so I can care for a big snake. I guess what I'm trying to say is how do would I go upon feeding it modestly to where it's getting the amount of food it needs but not to where it will hit 16 feet in its first year (I'm exaggerating of course). I didn't mean to sound like I didn't know what I was talking about in the first post. I guess I just didn't word it properly.

[Daybreaker]

I am getting my first Retic for Christmas! I can't wait and I'm so excited. I'm getting a mainland tiger boy and was wondering how I should go upon growing him slowly. I want him to be a healthy size but not a huge monster.

What's your idea of growing it up "slowly"? Do you mean to feed it "just enough" so it doesn't spurt on you or so it doesn't grow to its full potential?

IMO if it's a baby/juvie you need to feed it at least once a week, but I have my '12 female (mainland ST) on a five say schedule. Snakes grow at different rates, and feeding less or small feeders isn't fair to the snake or responsible. Even though my girl is on a 5 day schedule she's still growing at a slower rate than other mainlands I've seen just because that's how she is as an individual. My idea of "growing up her up slowly" would be a 5-7 day schedule until she gets onto larger feeders.

Anyone who's looking into getting a retic (dwarf or mainland) needs to prepare for a monster since most get to a very respectable size (males included, and some grow faster than others). IMO wanting a mainland tic but not wanting it to get to a massive (yet healthy) size doesn't make much sense in my mind.

Edit: Saw your #11 post OP: I would still feed at least once a week if it's a baby/juvy. I personally wouldn't feed any less frequent than that, hence why I have mine on a 5 day.

[3skulls]

I don't have a Retic so I'm not sure the amount they need. Or how large tey get in the first year.
I would go along the lines of how you feed your other large snakes.

I think the term "slow grown" is kinda misleading. It's more about not power feeding them. They still should grow at a normal pace.

Make sure you post some pics. I'm wanting a Retic more and more, this site isn't helping :p

[jagolden]

So until I get him onto larger feeders once a week should be fine? I'm sorry for all the confusion guys, I was told by a family friend that once a week was considered powerfeeding for a Retic. There isn't much info on care sheets about feeding schedules for babies so I was confused. I'll post pics up once I get him. I'm still a noob to Retics so you'll have to forgive me sometimes till I learn the ropes a little more.

[Daybreaker]

So until I get him onto larger feeders once a week should be fine? I'm sorry for all the confusion guys, I was told by a family friend that once a week was considered powerfeeding for a Retic. There isn't much info on care sheets about feeding schedules for babies so I was confused. I'll post pics up once I get him. I'm still a noob to Retics so you'll have to forgive me sometimes till I learn the ropes a little more.

Once a week is nowhere near power feeding for a tic: I hear of people feeding their babies every 3-4 days without being frowned upon (though I personally wouldn't feed more than every 5 days, just personal preference with raising up my own female). A week will be fine.

[reptileexperts]

Most of their prime growth occurs in the first year of their life - after that they slow down. If you feed on a schedule of every 4 days, you can achieve a healthy 9 ft female or 7-8 ft male before its firth birthday. After that the growth will slow down but your schedule will adjust as well. Slowing a retics growth by controlling food is NOT the same as controlling his diet. You need to ensure you do not under feed to appeal. Feed when they look empty, don't just hold back food. This is the makings for a sick snake / larger issues later on. If you wanted a smaller slower growing retic I would have highly suggested to go with a Dwarf Locale such as Jampea, Sasleyer, or Kaydui, there are also the Honey Island and Kalatoa and Maidu super Dwarf locales that stay between 5-10 ft in maturity.

My personal feeding schedule is everything under a year old gets fed every 4 days, those who are older, get fed a moderate sized meal every 8-12 days. My one adult 6 year old gets one 2-3lb Rabbit every 18-21 days.

Cheers.

[thedarkwolf25]

Most of their prime growth occurs in the first year of their life - after that they slow down. If you feed on a schedule of every 4 days, you can achieve a healthy 9 ft female or 7-8 ft male before its firth birthday. After that the growth will slow down but your schedule will adjust as well. Slowing a retics growth by controlling food is NOT the same as controlling his diet. You need to ensure you do not under feed to appeal. Feed when they look empty, don't just hold back food. This is the makings for a sick snake / larger issues later on. If you wanted a smaller slower growing retic I would have highly suggested to go with a Dwarf Locale such as Jampea, Sasleyer, or Kaydui, there are also the Honey Island and Kalatoa and Maidu super Dwarf locales that stay between 5-10 ft in maturity.

My personal feeding schedule is everything under a year old gets fed every 4 days, those who are older, get fed a moderate sized meal every 8-12 days. My one adult 6 year old gets one 2-3lb Rabbit every 18-21 days.

Cheers.

I feed my girl the same day as all of my others, so she eats every 7 days. Is that ok for her, she appears to be growing well and doesn't look skinny (to me at least).

[jagolden]

Someone mentioned superdwarves... Does anybody know anything about them? I saw that prehistoric pets has some for sale and that seems like a better starting point into retics for me. Do they have the same care requirements as a normal mainland retic? Also I heard they were a little more flighty than a mainland, does this affect there temperament at all?

[reptileexperts]

Should be find dark. Make sure each meal leaves a lump.

Super dwarf care is the same temp and humidity wise in general speaking. But they are typically a lot more flighty. PM me and I'll give you more info on SD stuff. I have 4 SD retics mainland and dwarf.