Couple things. You live in Ohio? Need to check your laws on keeping reticulated pythons because there are some regulations that would affect you moving forward with this idea. Next, feeding it less to grow it less will simply not work. You can do what is referred to as maintainance feed where you only feed it enough to keep it at proper body weight. This will slow grow a male retic to about 5-6' in the first year if done properly, and it will be completely healthy. Males done like this can max around 11-12' with no health issues at all. However we are still referring to a fairly large snake that can become an issue during breeding season when aggression is high.
Retic ownership is a wonderful experience, and a rewarding one when done properly. I'm all for new retic owners entering the keeping world for giants, but I want to ensure that they enter it responsibily and with the right mindset - forever homes are not just a term needed for dogs and cats, but for giant constrictors too. In the past week I have been asked 3 times if I was going to give up my retics when they get too big . . . and I had to explain that all my retics are forever snakes. They will be with me till the day they pass from hopefully natural causes far down the line. I still have my first python I purchased for $200 nearly 14 years ago now.
On a housing note, most mainland males can be housed pretty easily - if housing is your only concern - You can get caging from AP or Vision that will fit your need just fine (see Vision 600 series - i.e. 600, 622, 632). Retics are incredible snakes and I can not imagine my life without them.
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