Personally I'd recommend getting a dwarf or super dwarf or a mix of both if you want a smaller retic. That way you can follow a proper feeding schedule and you won't end up with a monster. It's true you can totally control the growth of a snake by limit feeding. I actually just bought a year old ball python that was hardly fed at all, was still a hatchling size after a year. Not sure what kind of long term effects that can have on a snake but I can't imagine it could be good for them.
There are a lot of options when it comes to retics, the super dwarfs are almost too small for me. Some don't get as big as a boa constrictor. I want my retic to be a respectable size, but not a monster LOL. I'm currently working on super dwarf / dwarf / mainland crosses, trying to figure out what percentage of each results in a certain size snake. I think a 50-70 pound retic is my target, big enough to be impressive but not one that I can't lift or control by myself. Anything over 100 pounds needs at least two people at all times in my opinion.
The guideline of feeding every 7-10 days really depends on the age and size of the snake. I think a small young retic should be fed every 3-4 days, especially in the first year when growth is rapid. After a couple years when they get some size and their metabolism slows down they can be fed once every 2-3 weeks. A really big retic could probably fast for months without any issues at all.
Reply With Quote