Reticulated Python Question

[jmcrook]

Honestly, you could easily throw a Super Dwarf Retic in there as a good potential next animal as well. There are plenty of 50%+ SD crosses that have males staying at or below 8' long (with some pure SD males staying around 5', but admittedly more spastic in general when they are pure), and they grow much slower than a mainland (albeit still faster than a boa). Retics (including SD's) still, to me at least, have a personality and intelligence level that cannot be matched in the realm of non venomous snakes. Talk to Sauzo, Jmcrook, Gio or Stearns84 (or even myself) about SD's if you'd like. Between us, even though none of us are "experts", there is a wealth of first hand, real world knowledge of keeping SD's. They can be a great option in my opinion, even as a direct stepping stone from a Ball Python if you do your due diligence and research ahead of time.

I honestly went right to SD retics from ball pythons. Granted I researched and weighed my pros and cons and such for about two years before pulling the trigger. Don't know that I'd say they grow slower than mainlands though... Phyllis went from ~56grams and 20" to 8.5" and 10+ pounds in 20 months. She's an absolute beast of a super dwarf and she's 100% SD. She is super interactive, inquisitive, never misses a meal, and is an absolute joy to work with. I'd be happy to talk about my experience with her or Gerald, my 50% SD male Ultra Ivory if you're interested in knowing more. Both have their own progression threads on here. I've had Phyllis since she was three weeks old and Gerald was about a year old when I got him. They're significantly more work in maintenance and upkeep (read: daily piss cleanings) than a ball python but I love 'em and wouldn't trade them for anything.