Cow Retics Size

[Gio]

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.

Hey, you are at least asking around.

Every snake no matter what the species has its individual attitude, behaviors and level of predictability.

The list on this board of keepers that used to own the species and no longer do is long.

The most recent group that I remember is a trio and I was one of the three. Two of us had SD x Dwarf x mainland mixes that were males. The other had a pure SD female and male. I don't think any of us had a snake that was 3 years old and under 9 feet long.

My own personal experience was good up until the near 3 year mark. The snake started to exhibit what I would call male combative behavior as it aged. I was bitten 3 times. #1 was a young and scared defensive bite. #2 was not a scared situation but more of a "back off" situation.

The third bite was completely unexpected, however I knew the animal was becoming less tolerable. He showed "face off" behaviors and would not respond well to the hook.

This was the bite that put me on the path to re-homing him.





He went through the little fingers in some areas.





This was nothing compared to some bites people experience. However as a solo handler for the most part (wife and daughter not into it, son just not around much) I was very turned off by this.

A nine foot, slender male is plenty to deal with.

I will say he was one of the most beautiful snakes I've ever had. I actually loved him.

They are fascinating and IMO the most challenging snake you can own outside of hots.






What an animal!






They live 20+ years and grow. I'm a well established adult that can retire in 14th months. I'm probably a very good candidate to own a retic compared to a young adult with a lot of potential life changes coming.

I had a plan in place in the event things got ugly and I'm glad I did. I would never want to euthanize an animal for being what it is supposed to be, but some do not have that choice.

It is the reason I highly DO NOT recommend retics to anyone other than the completely dedicated keeper. Somebody who has help available, somebody that has the patience and time to constantly work with an animal that may have a 180 degree change in attitude.

Not all of them go the way of evil LOL, but many become unmanageable.

You can see the retic section on this board and discover all the coming and going keepers. I was one of them.

You can still have a large snake and not be stressed.

As others here have said, and as I have said, Boas and Carpet pythons are great.

You get size and beauty yet in almost every case no challenges.

8 foot plus carpet.





Nice, thick, male boa.


Choose wisely and good luck.