Jampeas - how big do they really get and what are they like?

[reptileexperts]

Excellent response Cody. Your biology background shows here.

I've mentioned seasonality when discussing the feeding of boa constrictors. Gus Rentfro and Vincent Russo have always stated boas were not designed to eat year round as they follow a seasonal pattern, often of feast and famine. Your point about migration in this thread echoes the same. While it is true retics are very large or can be, they don't have to be total monsters all of the time. There are obvious variables involved but your advice here is perfect IMO.

Every one of your retics, even your big ones are beautifully lean and healthy looking.

Captivity and human feeding schedules play a big role in total size of these animals.

I'd like to see some video updates when you have time.

time is against me as of late. Lots of home projects. The married life has done many good things, but making videos has been put to the back burner. Now that the new reptile room is nearing completion, it may be easier to pull the retics out and get some updates.

Keep in mind - mainland retics do NOT do good on a maintenance food style schedule. Their body is evolved to metabolize faster and as a result, youll starve your animal. I have seen folks talk about keeping mainland retics small by doing this, and its just not the case. Genetics in dwarf populations were selected due to their ability to survive long periods of famine. The only selection you'll do in captivity with a mainland is the end result of death. Survival of only the fittest.