First big snake?

[bcr229]

So I'm wanting to get my first big snake. I really want a retic, I've heard good and bad but a lot has been exaggerated imo. I haven't been able to find anything that's straight-forward on their locality sizes. Any tips for my first? Also is there a locality that gets to 12ft max? If so what website/store is safe for shipping and doesn't cost an arm and a leg for an original pattern. All help is good help.

Look for a high percentage (>50%) female not male. Yes males stay smaller but my 100% SD male is an eight foot jerk that threat charges and likes to back up to you and spray you with pee/musk, and he does it on purpose while looking at you.

My 50% SD adult female is about 11 feet, absolutely chill and easily handled, not flighty, etc. She's still a big snake but not massive like a mainland will get.

Spend the money to get one from a reputable breeder. There are a lot of non-SD or low-percentage SD non-morphs advertised as high percentage because they command a higher price, and by the time you figure out you were sold a pure mainland that is going to top out at 18-20 feet the seller is long gone.