Just curious.....what do you do with these big snakes?

[reptileexperts]

Definitely look around and you can find better. I just used rodentpro.com because I know they sell everything on your list and here's the cost.

12 xxl rabbits(8.00-9.99 pounds) -- $12each($144) -- xxxl are 10.00-12.00+ pounds and are $13 each so add $12 if you wanted those
40 small rats(sold in packs of 20, needed 2 to hit 25) -- $1each($40)
30 medium rats(sold in packs of 10, needed 3 to hit 24) -- $1.25each($37.50)
100 pinky rats -- $.30each($30)

Comes out to $251.50 + $116 shipping(4 boxes to fit your order) for a grand total of $367.50 shipped.

This is also during the 29 per box shipping special, and the reduced price on Small and Medium rats fwiw.

I buy local rabbits, and order my rats from RP during these discounted shipping times. I know a lot of people tend to fear RP, but I have not had a single issue. But I have had issues with other companies.

[KitaCat]

That's an interesting question (original post).

Seeing how you are entering the snake hobby with a royal, let me use myself as an example.

I bought a royal for my son's 9th B-day 3 years ago, knowing full well I'd be the primary care giver. I was pretty neutral about the whole reptile gig in the beginning. Then I started to research more, and became further interested in the biology of snakes. I've probably put in a masters degree worth of study and research into these animals and learn more daily. It's a hobby for sure.

My first thought when making the purchase was "I can't own something over 5 feet". After about 6 months I was so enamored by constricting snakes I started looking at various species and became hooked on boa constrictors. Once you raise a snake from a juvenile to adult, the size doesn't play into the equation as much as you'd think. A truly interested keeper will learn all they can about their species, and in many cases other types as well.

Size is certainly something to be respected and cared for responsibly, but folks that have large/giant snakes are fascinated by more than just sheer size. It just so happens that some of the most interesting snakes are quite large.


This is something that comes with experience and research. While I certainly enjoy an animal that is larger than the typical royal, I'm realistic knowing my situation is not right for a very large snake. I can handle a 10 foot + coastal carpet or a 8-10 foot boa constrictor at best. I know my family situation and limitations. My wife isn't going to be involved in handling, and I'm not overly confident an emergency bailout plan with her as the first responder would go well, and my kids aren't quite ready for that yet either. I set my limits accordingly.

The people who do have the giants, are, or at least should be fully aware of what they have. The responsible keepers have safety plans, friends or relatives that can help with certain tasks, and working with the animals becomes the norm.

It's really not any different from owning a large breed of dog. If you are not able to properly handle or control it, it's not a good idea to own one. Sadly many people think dog ownership is simple and put little thought or time into it.

I think you'll find that the "giant" snake owners put a lot of valuable time into researching their animals, and care for them religiously. They are VERY aware of the capabilities of their animals in general, but there are always idiots that don't do those things and that isn't specific to snakes.

Snakes are not roaming, social animals. The big ones don't need miles of space, but on the other hand giving them room will allow you to see some of the fascinating behaviors they perform.

I think if you are around this hobby for any length of time, there is a somewhat natural progression toward other species, and a tendency to want to experience something "impressive". It's not for everyone, but if you continue to research and fill your mind with knowledge about these animals, your curiosity might lead you down the path to larger things.

Very well said!

When I first entered the hobby, I said "I don't want anything bigger than 6 feet or so"... Then my boyfriend wanted a female BCC. I got comfortable with that idea, and adjusted my rule to "Nothing bigger than a boa/carpet - ie, no giants".
Recently, I've been learning more about Retics and I'm coming around to the possibility of owning one someday. I don't want one for the size at all (in fact I'd be going with male dwarf or SD to minimize size), but I'm fascinated with their looks and personality.

[bcr229]

I don't want one for the size at all (in fact I'd be going with male dwarf or SD to minimize size), but I'm fascinated with their looks and personality.

As an FYI the pure SD's can be a little flighty or more foody than mainlands. My pure male will even snap at the water sprayed from the bottle when his enclosure gets misted, even if we're not spraying him directly he'll come out of hiding to "attack" it.

It would be funny except he prefers to go for the nozzle, which is entirely to close to my hand...

[KitaCat]

As an FYI the pure SD's can be a little flighty or more foody than mainlands. My pure male will even snap at the water sprayed from the bottle when his enclosure gets misted, even if we're not spraying him directly he'll come out of hiding to "attack" it.

It would be funny except he prefers to go for the nozzle, which is entirely to close to my hand...

Oh dear... Thanks for the heads up.
How are SD crosses in that respect?

[bcr229]

How are SD crosses in that respect?

I have two 50% SD 2014 females who are dolls to handle.

[Alexiel03]

Where do you get your food? I went on Layne Labs to see how much it would cost to order a year of adult food for all my snakes (100 rat pinks, 24 large-medium rats, 25 small rats, and 12 10 lb rabbits), and it would cost me over $800, and ~$650 of that was shipping alone. Then again, I could be overestimating it with the 10 lb rabbits, that was just a guess at what she'd need.

I was thinking about breeding them because I want to go back to breeding rats when I can, but I'm not sure rabbits would cost that much less a year to breed...

i get my snakes food from Rodentpro.com