Quote Originally Posted by Skyrivers View Post
IMO for what it is worth. The largest you can afford and have space for. Retics need exercise and room to move around. Most in captivity die from heart disease or fatty liver. Room to roam and reason to do so is always good for them. Is one reason I am upgrading to a 8ft by 3ft by 4ft for Rainbow. Sure she is a mainland but even at 10ft she needs room to move around and get some climbing in. They love to climb and get into all kinds of trouble and are smart as heck. The better quality of life you provide the happier and healthier they will be. IMO asking how small you can go is not as important as what is healthiest.
Actually most die from fatty liver or heart attacks because they are overfed. Snakes and reptiles in general dont need exercise like we do as humans or mammals. Reptiles are made to be able to conserve calories which is also why they can go months or even a year+ without food. They generally arent really active unless they are uncomfortable and trying to find a more comfortable spot or they are hungry and actively searching for food. A lot of snakes will lay in wait and ambush food.

I agree though that the biggest cage you can feasibly do is great but when you are talking an 18 foot female mainland retic, giving her a 36 foot long cage is not usually feasible lol.