Retics aren't a species I'd recommend.
Very, very few people are prepared for their size, their behaviors and their life span. They are popular initially, to a lot of semi experienced keepers because many consider them to be the ultimate snake. Some may want a new challenge, a more active snake or simply love the variety of colors and patterns. In my opinion, retics are the ultimate snake however having watched threads here and on other boards over the years and from personal experience I see the typical progression in a lot of cases.
The initial stages are great! Photos, posts and all of the positive stuff, then things go silent and you don't hear another thing after time goes by. There are not many long time keepers on this board. The ones that are here are dedicated and very knowledgable and sensible.
I would strongly advise anybody thinking of getting into them to be an established adult and to have a Plan B if things don't work out.
Family, and potential significant others may not like the idea at all. Possible job changes and moving are a major factors as well. Having a home and space is very important as well as a secure area in the home for the animals.
I'm not aware of any statistics that show how many people get in and then get out of the species and where or how the snakes end up but I don't think the snakes end up getting a good deal when all is said and done.
I tried the species and thought it would work out. My retic was SD X Dwarf X Mainland. The animal grew larger than I expected, and became a very aggressive male.
I was bitten 3 different times and the last bite was male combative behavior that ripped both of my hands up. I knew at that moment that I wasn't the right person for that animal.
My "Plan B" was in place before I even had the animal and I made it 4 years before giving my guy away to a very experienced keeper/breeder. No money, no trade, I just asked that he be well taken care of.
That was probably more than this thread required, but I felt it needed to be brought up.
I have a friend on this board who went through a similar experience, and another member as well. All 3 of us are out of the species.
Why are they popular? They are fascinating and beautiful.
Do they stay popular with most folks that venture into the species? I'd say no.
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