Experienced reticulated python owners ONLY

[maudie]

What're some IMPORTANT things for a newbie to know? (Besides their size) I already know they get big, so let's not turn this in to one of those posts. Pinpoint the most important aspects of their care. Share personal stories. I'm just looking for some helpful info before I get myself into retics Comment below! Thanks in advance

[frostysBP]

Biggest thing I have picked up in my short 6months is to watch there eyes...I can usually tell when my s/d id going to takes a swing.

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[hockeygirl28]

They are incredibly intelligent. Noticeable difference between my retics and my balls. They quickly pick up on patterns, and know when I am getting ready to feed them vs getting ready to clean them.

They also seem to love exercise. I get my retics out once a week and let them hangout out in the back yard.

Personality wise, they can run the gamut from completely tame and chill to extremely aggressive. I'm lucky enough to have very tame and friendly retics. But with their intelligence comes the ability to tag you if they so desire.



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[bcr229]

Since this will be your first one focus on finding one that's chill versus a pretty morph.

Set cash aside for a six to eight foot enclosure, sometimes you can find a local deal for less than just the cost of shipping a new one. I had two eight-foot enclosures a year before I got my first retic.

Tractor Supply carries several types of un-dumpable water bowls in their pet and livestock sections.

Look around for a local source for feeder rabbits and baby pigs.

Find a local source of free newspaper such as a grocery store - the manager at mine will give me the leftover weekly circulars once they are out of date. My male retics pee about every 2 days.

Just because it's a super dwarf or dwarf doesn't mean it won't get big.

They are quick to learn so be consistent, especially when feeding. Mine are all hook trained, even the chill ones.

Check your city/county ordinances before getting one, some localities have their own prohibitions on big snakes. Same thing if you rent versus own your home, one of my males came from a guy who had to rehome it or risk getting evicted after his landlord saw it. The landlord was ok with a rack of five ball pythons, but not the eight foot retic enclosure.

[reptileexperts]

Make sure you have adequate experience with other moderately sized constrictors - Coastal Carpet Pythons come to mind

Make sure you can afford their care - large caging, vet bills should they arise, and feeding (sourcing local is best)

Check for all permits and regulations from your state and local government. Remember, they can NOT be brought into texas or florida at current, and can NOT cross a state line unless you were a member of USARK before the ban was put into place (pre-april 2015).

Going to go against BCR on this one and say buy the morph you want the first time around - but buy from calm parents if applicable. Search. Don't impulse buy, ask questions to the breeder. Most of the guys I have worked with and work with will tell you their tics attitudes. But its a guideline, attitude will change overtime, for better or worse.

Start with a hatchling - Don't go all in on your first retic and start with a nice sized adult

Retics don't grow 30 ft in captivity . . . retics do not consistently grow larger than 20 ft even. MOST RETICS ARE UNDER 18' (Probably even 16')

There are serious risks involved: Their bite as an adult can land you in the hospital. You need to practice taking a bite from smaller snakes and not flinching to the point that you jerk your hand back. One of my largest fears is my wife getting tagged and jerking her arm back which will lacerate your skin WAY worse than a bite and release.

Pee burns in cuts. I advise this because 1) they pee a lot, 2) they pee often, 3) pee sponges may be part of the program to help. When you have other animals that may cut you up (cats, dogs, other snake bites) urine will burn your cuts. Prepare to wear gloves when cleaning it is a requirement for your own health.

They are fast. If you have only had experience with boas and balls, there is no comparison to how quick a retic can strike and be out of the cage.

Breeding aggression is real, and really dangerous. Dealing with this right now with my Goldenchild Jampea adult male, he is arching like mad, and cleaning his enclosure SUCKS. The second you open that glass he is out of the cage and in your face. He is OK when you have him out on your own terms, but when he comes out gunning for you, hooks, a second person, and a second containment area are a MUST.

Retics push. They will destroy their faces. Not all. But a lot. This can lead to injuries that might even need surgery. If you have an adult who is a sever pusher they can impale their own teeth into their lips. They can push glass doors out, and break them with force alone.

Retics are extremely rewarding animals to work with however. But they truly are not for everyone. Folks who say they are for everyone just want to try and justify to themselves they are capable of having one, or they are a breeder who is stuck on stock. Even SD retics can give folks a headache due to bites and flights.

If you want to learn more about SD retics - you can check my videos on youtube. www.youtube.com/reptileexperts

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Food for the thoughts.

I think the most important aspect for YOU at this point would be to successfully keep and UNDERSTAND a beginner species first before thinking about owning a retic.

[reptileexperts]

Food for the thoughts.

I think the most important aspect for YOU at this point would be to successfully keep and UNDERSTAND a beginner species first before thinking about owning a retic.

See my point number 1

[stretcharmy]

I'm still a noob but my 2 cents is they grow FAST, as in mine grew 65% in a month and I'm not a heavy feeder. Way faster than any of my other snakes. So be prepared for that and plan appropriate caging.

And the feeding response is no joke. Actually with Helena it kind of is. On feeding day I have to entice her to strike, but the day after she tries to eat me through the cage.

[maudie]

thanks all! that was some good information. I plan on getting my first next summer if I feel that I'm ready by that point. until then I'll be doing similar research. I'm also going to try and find somewhere I can volunteer cleaning cages just to get a feel for a large retic before I get one myself, even if I am starting out with a hatchling. as for other larger snakes, I have experience and have never been uncomfortable handling, cleaning, feeding. I plan on starting with a young retic, definitely not an adult. 😂 but thanks again for all the info, I definitely won't be getting one until the time is right and I'm ready to take on the responsibility. although I'm eager to work with a species of snake so intelligent and responsive.

[maudie]

Food for the thoughts.

I think the most important aspect for YOU at this point would be to successfully keep and UNDERSTAND a beginner species first before thinking about owning a retic.

Which is why I'm not getting one anytime soon as I don't feel the need to rush into a species before completely understanding it's specific care requirements. Although I am completely comfortable with my current beginner snakes and their care.