i have a retic she's still just a baby at about 4' btu she is an all around sweetheart. feeding response isn't really a problem for me as long as i put something in front of her head and then quickly scoop her up once she feels that i have a hold of her she knows shes not being fed (thats the smarts part). she loves to be held and after about 15mins of bein held shes very content to settle down next to me in the chair and curl around my arm and sleep. my recomendation is to get one with a lil size (in other words not a hatchling as ive found they like to be a lil more nippy) they do grow quickly but there are ways to keep their size at bay. by no means am i an expert but i do love my retic!