New retic!!

[Ballchris]

Ok my new giant baby will be here tuesday, he is a het caramel retic, he's a baby, and I can not think for the life of me what to name him Im really into dragons, but I dont know here are some of my choices,

Reptar: from rugrats haha
Rex
Mushu: from mulan i love Disney movies and its one of my favorites and my kids favorites.
Balerion - The largest dragon known from game of thrones.

I just don't know people help me out give me some suggestions.
tell me what you think of my choices.

I will post pics when the little guy gets here tuesday, prehistoric pets are some of the best people I have ever had the pleasure of doing business with.

[Ballchris]

Also the only thing im having issue with is what size of rodent to start feeding my new retic, medium mice,.... large mice, small rats any help here would be greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance.

[Sylphie]

I really like Reptar and Mushu :) Rex is just too... doggy, and Balerion sounds like an opera singer.

And I don't have any experience with retics so i can't help with prey size.

[trailblazer295]

Mushu is a excellent choice. .....

[Tsubaki]

Mushu is a nice name :D

[IW17]

Go rats. Retics can start on rats. Is he mainland or a smaller cross?

[Ballchris]

mainland he's one of the BIG BOY'S lol and I think mushu it going to be. thanks guys Ill use this thread for all of you to keep up with my boy.

[Sublimeballs]

Congrats on the tic. Post some pics when you can. I'm getting 2 in on Tuesday aswell. Mushu is a cool name. I've got one name I've been saving for a tic and I think the male I'm getting in on Tuesday will fit it perfect.

[Ballchris]

Nice I cant wait for mushu to get here im so excited to watch him grow up to be a giant.

[Kuamata]

I know you mean well, I know you're giving a valiant effort, I know your heart is in the right place, so please don't take this the wrong way when I say this... but I sincerely hope that this is a giant, and I mean giant, leap that you can handle... You can see where one may be concerned, you started as a total new face to herping just last month. You added your first snake a month ago... and then adopted a corn snake... and now all of a sudden here you come with a retic on the way. You can see where one might be concerned, I just hope this is something you're ready for, as it is a whole different 'game' than with a ball python and corn snake. They grow fast, you'll either need to start with a large cage with tons of hides, or repeatedly buy bigger cages as he grows.. and they're definitely not a snake to take lightly. Don't take this the wrong way. Good luck with your new giant.

[SnoopySnake]

I know you mean well, I know you're giving a valiant effort, I know your heart is in the right place, so please don't take this the wrong way when I say this... but I sincerely hope that this is a giant, and I mean giant, leap that you can handle... You can see where one may be concerned, you started as a total new face to herping just last month. You added your first snake a month ago... and then adopted a corn snake... and now all of a sudden here you come with a retic on the way. You can see where one might be concerned, I just hope this is something you're ready for, as it is a whole different 'game' than with a ball python and corn snake. They grow fast, you'll either need to start with a large cage with tons of hides, or repeatedly buy bigger cages as he grows.. and they're definitely not a snake to take lightly. Don't take this the wrong way. Good luck with your new giant.

Couldn't have said it better myself..

[millertime89]

I too, like Mushu. I would like to echo what IW17 and Kuamata have said. A retic should never be started on mice, even SDs can take fuzzy rats out of the eggs. Also it is a huge responsibility taking on a giant. If you have any questions please ask.

[Sublimeballs]

I know you mean well, I know you're giving a valiant effort, I know your heart is in the right place, so please don't take this the wrong way when I say this... but I sincerely hope that this is a giant, and I mean giant, leap that you can handle... You can see where one may be concerned, you started as a total new face to herping just last month. You added your first snake a month ago... and then adopted a corn snake... and now all of a sudden here you come with a retic on the way. You can see where one might be concerned, I just hope this is something you're ready for, as it is a whole different 'game' than with a ball python and corn snake. They grow fast, you'll either need to start with a large cage with tons of hides, or repeatedly buy bigger cages as he grows.. and they're definitely not a snake to take lightly. Don't take this the wrong way. Good luck with your new giant.


So... I didn't realize that you've only had a month of snake experience. This is a major dive I to the deep end. Even my dwarves are a handful. I really hope you've done your research on this one. Retics are NOT a beginner snake and even very few of the extremely experienced people I know are willing to consider one after trying to handle just a 10 foot jampea of mine. These are truely an animal for the minority of keepers. Just please, for your sake and our hobbys, if you realize you're in over your head re home the animal. Your ego is not worth your life.

[Kuamata]

So... I didn't realize that you've only had a month of snake experience. This is a major dive I to the deep end. Even my dwarves are a handful. I really hope you've done your research on this one. Retics are NOT a beginner snake and even very few of the extremely experienced people I know are willing to consider one after trying to handle just a 10 foot jampea of mine. These are truely an animal for the minority of keepers. Just please, for your sake and our hobbys, if you realize you're in over your head re home the animal. Your ego is not worth your life.

^ This. Chris, I know you have kids... I know you have smaller pets... Don't think I'm suggesting you're irresponsible, because I'm not. I'm only saying that, at full grown, being a novice, having children, and having other small pets is the perfect equation for something to go horribly wrong. It only takes a second for a disaster to occur. Only one mistake and you may have an impending tragedy occurring... and the snake is the one that suffers and gets the blame for being a snake. This is why I stress they are not to be taken lightly. I have been herping for 4 - 5 years and even I know I can't currently properly maintain and care for a full grown retic. One day, you bet, I plan to have one, but my current living situation is not permitting one, as I personally would prefer a dedicated reptile room before having one, and I don't currently have a spare room. That's just me, though. Please be careful, ask plenty of questions, do plenty of research, keep it SECURE because they are escape artists, and never attempt to handle or maintain it alone after a certain point.

[Sublimeballs]

^ This. Chris, I know you have kids... I know you have smaller pets... Don't think I'm suggesting you're irresponsible, because I'm not. I'm only saying that, at full grown, being a novice, having children, and having other small pets is the perfect equation for something to go horribly wrong. It only takes a second for a disaster to occur. Only one mistake and you may have an impending tragedy occurring... and the snake is the one that suffers and gets the blame for being a snake. This is why I stress they are not to be taken lightly. I have been herping for 4 - 5 years and even I know I can't currently properly maintain and care for a full grown retic. One day, you bet, I plan to have one, but my current living situation is not permitting one, as I personally would prefer a dedicated reptile room before having one, and I don't currently have a spare room. That's just me, though. Please be careful, ask plenty of questions, do plenty of research, keep it SECURE because they are escape artists, and never attempt to handle or maintain it alone after a certain point.


This is all good advice. As has been pointed out this is not an attack on you or anything personal. I was very happy for you under the assumption you were more experienced. I have even more experience then kumata: I've been keeping reptiles for nearly 20 years now, Lots of varanids, tegus, crocodilians(wild capture and captive care)catching wild hots for 14 years, captive care for a hot for 5 years. And I just felt comfortable going to giants a few years ago. I have a dedicated snake room, I have someone at home experienced with animal handling that has been walked though what to do in an emergency and many local very experienced friends to help out, all my retics are underlock and key in eacape proof cages, I have hand written bite/escape protocals within sight of my cages and I don't have any full sized Retics. These are not animals to be taken lightly. Feel free to ask me all the questions you need. As alot of people that have been or still are on this site will tell you I'm always ready to help to the extent I can. Please, please don't hesitate to ask any questions. No one is going to judge you or tell you "I told you so". We're genuinely concerned this may be dangerous. Pm me anytime. Feed response is likly to be the first sketchy experience you'll endure. Males may try and cause damage come breeding season. Tap training is essential in my opinion.

[Ballchris]

thank you all for your concern really i mean it, I've done my research and still continue everyday with my snakes all of them iv got books i've got bookmarks on the net videos iv spoken with professionals such as jay from prehistoric pets and Brian from bhb on the phone I know these are not to be taken lightly, your right I am a novice, but Im the kind to do extensive research while not as good as hands on it does arm you for what your getting yourself into I am fully aware my kids are safe my one small cat is safe she is never around even when i have the other snakes out I always have her out of my dedicated room. thank you all for your concern you are all a great bunch. so much help my retic will be under lock and key at all times. thank you all again and I will not hesitate to ask questions you all haven't let me down ever when I have asked any question.

[Ballchris]

I am a novice home snake owner I Have a older friend that has had a retic and burm for close to 15 year used to work for him at his pet/pet supplie shop that he had his giants in he will be with me through all of this he is someone I can trust Im not alone here in person or with you guys at my side

[Sublimeballs]

Just remember after 8 feet you need someone else there with you to handle the snake(and another person for every additional 4 feet). Ask any Reticulated python owner after this size if they want to hold onto your hand/wrist/arm they will unless you know how to prevent it. You pretty much have to learning pythons jujitsu defense.lol. Hands on experience before purchase is alway recomended. It's really hard to comprehend the strength these animals possess.

You probably mentioned it but are you getting a male or female?

[Ballchris]

he is a young male het caramel he will be a year on march 27th

[Ballchris]

HES HERE and Im also back to not knowing what to name him. mushu just doest fit

[millertime89]

Looks great! How's his attitude?

[Ballchris]

hes actually really calm doesn't freak out when touched hasn't even offered to strike at me. really really good mood retic so far.

[metalcopper]

Very nice looking Retic. Love his colors, that silver and dark purple look amazing together.

[EL Ziggy]

He is a stunner Chris! Best wishes with the BIG new project. Be safe and have fun. If you like dragons, I think Smaug is a pretty wicked name. He's the badass dragon in the Hobbit. :)

[Ballchris]

actually i named him lord voldemort from harry potter i was watching one of the movies and it just hit me.

[EL Ziggy]

You mean he who shall not be named? Nice!

[Ballchris]

I am interested in hook training can any one point me in the right direction of a good retractible hook and tell me a little bit about hook training, I have done some reserch on the matter but would love to know some experienced peoples opiionion

[millertime89]

I am interested in hook training can any one point me in the right direction of a good retractible hook and tell me a little bit about hook training, I have done some reserch on the matter but would love to know some experienced peoples opiionion

Most retractable ones are junk. I use Reptile Basics hooks and they've never done me wrong. An 18" or 24" one is a good starting point and I start using the 38" once the snake is big enough. All I do is slowly open the cage, tap them on the nose or use the hook to guide their head away from me while I grab them or use it to hook a coil and pull them out.

[Ballchris]

Well my new big boy has to go to the vet I was planning on taking him anyway for a check up but come to find out he arrived with what looks like mouth rot he is in quarter away fro.the other snakes but I'm sad that the early especially my reptile vet could see him is Monday at 10 am please keep him in ur thoughts I'm already so attached to him he such a good boy

[Ballchris]

sorry for the typos is the last post i was on my phone and i have issues with typo's on it
here is a re edit

Well my new big boy has to go to the vet, I was planning on taking him anyway for a check up but come to find out when he arrived with what looks like mouth rot he is in quarantine away from the other snakes, but I'm sad that the early especially my reptile vet could see him is Monday at 10 am please keep him in ur thoughts I'm already so attached to him he is such a good boy.

[millertime89]

Any pics of it?

[pet_snake_78]

retics are beautiful snakes. I don't own any because I just don't have the space for anything but maybe the smallest of the dwarfs, but they are amazing. I am so ashamed of what our US government has done to them I can hardly speak of it even though I don't personally own any and never planned to. I've never been less proud of my country. Good luck with your snakes!

[Ballchris]

Srry guys been kinda busy with the new little big guy, come to find out its not mouth rot a tooth got hung and it got all inflamed the tooth is now free and my baby boy has a normal looking mouth now and is settling in very nicely, I actually got a personal phone call about the issue from jay brewer owner of prehistoric pets and he told me to go ahead and feed him to make sure he gonna eat, and boy did he eat the power of this animal is so awesome he is amazing, pics incoming thank you all, and as far as our government is concerned, they can make a law but they will never take my passion away I will always be living the dream, so they can suck it, and I am proud to be a american but very ashamed of our gov.

[Kuamata]

Glad to hear he's good and healthy. Despite what I said, I did try to get a retic before the grace period ended, but I can't afford what I truly want, and I know if I didn't get what I truly wanted and settled for something else, I would be sorely disappointed... Despite what I said, if push comes to shove I can make ends meet, such as in the scenario of an impending ban, but it seems that my pickiness is quite the obstacle... I hope USARK wins the battle and we get our rights back... then, one day, I can own one of those real stunners that I seek... except the Cow, lordy that's one expensive beauty, $25,000! Maybe a long ways away the price will drop and I can get one, but jeez!

[Ballchris]

UPDATE!! Voldemort is doing really well has taken to frozen thawed like a champ, he has eaten 2x, so proud of my little big guy. I am really excited to make this journey in life with him and my other snakes. I will be building his permanent enclosure in the fall, been working on some plans it gonna be big enough that he will have room to move from cold to hot sides, and enjoy himself, only the best for my animals, Iv said it before I treat them as I do my kids only the best. I learn new stuff about him everyday as i continue my research on retics, he will be my only giant snake. He's really social really calm, as of right now no feed response when the cage is opened, but have read that gets stronger with age I have started tap training he is taken out of the cage with hook. I wanted to give you all a update on him, and on a side note he drinks more than a irish man lol, but have read that is normal as they consume copious amounts of water especially after they eat. I use eco mats for both my pythons they love them,... I love them as they are easy to clean I clean his cage every 2 weeks because he pee's alot which have read is normal. I have started working on my own list of protocols for when he's bigger, they are based on my research. Thank you all, for reading cant wait to hear from you all. any advise is greatly appreciated, from the big snake owners love hearing from you guys, I am so happy i can go through life with my dream snake. good night every one.


WE WILL WIN THIS FIGHT #LIVINGTHEDREAM

[Sublimeballs]

Did I read it right that you're only cleaning the cage once every 2 weeks?

[Ballchris]

i spot clean everyday, as needed but full tear down every 2 weeks.

[MaryB]

I have a Mushu :) it's a great name! Lol

[Ballchris]

Mary his name ended up being "Lord Voldemort" he who will not be named.

[guyabano]

Mary his name ended up being "Lord Voldemort" he who will not be named.

Voldemort. SICK. :D

[Sublimeballs]

I didn't catch that my male jampea has been named Tom riddle by my GF and my female jampea is Nagini

[Ballchris]

Nice, Im a big fan of the harry potter fan, Im fixing to up grade him from the tank he in now to a 55 gal till the fall, when ill move him into his permanent enclosure.

[Albert Clark]

Wow, sorry to hear that about the mouth rot. Don't you think prehistoric pets should be partly responsible for a illness like that? You just got him and he's sick? What are their t.o.s.(terms of service)? Anyway for help adjusting to the care and maintenance of a "giant python" try reaching out to ReptileExperts.Com (http://www.reptileexperts.com) The guy there deals solely with retics. They are his specialty! He loves retics! As far as the food choices for him, should be weight based. 15-20% of his weight is what he should be getting weekly. Good luck. Stay in peace and not pieces.

[Ballchris]

thanks albert, Turns out it was not mouth rot and jay brewer actually reached out to me on his personal phone to talk about the snakes problem after some inspection, it ended up being fang face, one of his bottom teeth got hooked on his lip it must have happened during shipping, he rubbed his bag. and it swelled up a little. but 2 weeks in now hes a happy extremely happy friendly boy.with a beautiful face.

[millertime89]

thanks albert, Turns out it was not mouth rot and jay brewer actually reached out to me on his personal phone to talk about the snakes problem after some inspection, it ended up being fang face, one of his bottom teeth got hooked on his lip it must have happened during shipping, he rubbed his bag. and it swelled up a little. but 2 weeks in now hes a happy extremely happy friendly boy.with a beautiful face.

You would be surprised how easy that is to happen, they can get it just from eating.

[Ballchris]

Howa bout some update pics I cant even say how much this big guy makes me happy, cant wait for some warm weather so I can get him outside for some out side pics. he has put of some weight also since I got him I need to get a scale any one got any suggestions for one. and he seems to have gotten some more length aswell.