Cow Retics Size

[Bogertophis]

Yeah. I was thinking about retics because that is like the second most common big snake at the local pet store near my house after boa and they were beautiful but I guess now I need to reconsider my decision. A boa on the other hand looks much more reasonable for me to keep. I own my own condo so housing is not a problem for me. And you are right about the part that I need another person - I live alone and do not see myself living with anyone for another good few years so that is out of the picture. Most of my researches are from internet and youtube videos so I am definitely NOT rushing into getting a retic, I just generally has a very strong researching response LOL (been like this since I started doing my first research in middle school, I just really push myself to get to know more) and I feel like asking over here would not hurt at all. I really like your last two sentences tho because I did volunteer during my high-school/college days at shelter so I definitely WILL NEVER throw any of my pet away and just making sure that I can take care of a pet i'm getting. I just want you know that I am serious about snakes and not just throw this post out of impulsion. Thank you sir for knocking me on the head.

Your local pet store sounds like more of a "bad influence". Remember that pet stores are in the business of SELLING you pets & supplies, not necessarily teaching you what you need to know. I mean, if you buy a snake that grows very large, they'll be selling you lots of food for it, right? And larger cages when it out-grows them. Or if you buy the "wrong" one, maybe you'll be back for another "dream snake". There are lots of beautiful snakes in the world: some are great to live with, others are not. Their appearance should not be your primary reason for owning them (IMO)- you want a snake you can work with safely & one you'll enjoy interacting with, & one that you can afford. By the way, I've been living with lots of snakes for some 35 years now. A boa would be a much better choice for you & more than enough challenge- even if you still think those retics are prettier. While some boas get quite large, others do not, so it's best to buy from a reputable breeder who can give you a much better idea of the ultimate size to expect, based on the adult breeder snakes they have.

I had a BCI (boa) for a number of years- she was a rescue- unwanted after changing hands many times in her first year of life, each time getting more afraid & biting everyone defensively. I was NOT looking to get a large boa or any new snakes- I already had a houseful- but when my vet asked me if I knew anyone who'd take her in & wouldn't be afraid of all her biting, I knew I had to try. I knew she was just stressed & terrified, and with some patience on my part, she turned into a total sweetheart that never bit me even once- though she wanted to for the first month or two. I had to teach her not to fear me, so at first, I cuddled her in a towel, without letting her look out- in that way, she learned my touch & scent were safe & not hurting her. We are "huge scary monsters" to a snake- remember that snakes rely on instincts, & normally anything that picks one up in the wild is a predator about to eat them. She wasn't mean, just defensive. Once she accepted me "sight unseen", I let her peek out & get used to seeing me- it didn't take very long then for her to completely trust me.

Snakes know us by scent & touch, they don't recognize us very well by vision alone- in fact, they're most likely to bite us when we approach them: usually out of fear, because they don't know we aren't a predator until we make closer contact so they can recognize us, or because they're thinking "prey?" and we potentially fit the image of "warm & wiggling". Listen, I love that you're doing research, & you sound like a caring pet owner...we always need more like you. I just don't want you to make a big mistake. Snakes can live a very long time, & it's horrible for them if they have to be rehomed, it's frightening & stress even affects their survival. Zoos get offers daily from people with snakes like retics that they can't live with any more- they nearly always say "no thanks".