View Full Version : New Here (Kinda)
Ebolling
09-17-16, 11:27 PM
Basically I joined this forum back in early 2014 when i was 13 years old I'm 16 now . I went from a corn and a ball to . 1.1 Hogg island boas 1.1 ball pythons 1.0 bci (hypo het anery) 0.1 Motley het purple retic 1.0 crested gecko 1.0 Cape house snake 2.0 Corn snakes.
oh and ive successfully bred 2 different species , the hoggs just had a litter and I had a clutch of ball pythons about a year back.
Minkness
09-17-16, 11:38 PM
Welcome back and congrats on your successes!
Ebolling
09-17-16, 11:53 PM
added some pics :)
dave himself
09-18-16, 03:24 AM
Hi and welcome :)
Tsubaki
09-18-16, 04:29 AM
Welcome! Beautiful animals! You're in the hobby on your own?
Ebolling
09-18-16, 08:44 AM
Welcome! Beautiful animals! You're in the hobby on your own?
Not entierely sure I understand the question but as far as cleaning cages , paying for the snakes ,paying for the food, paying for the caging etc its all me . My family enjoys them but doesnt help work with them . occasionally i can get my sister to hold a snake while i clean its cage or something like that lol
macandchz
09-18-16, 08:45 AM
welcome back! nice collection of snakes you have there.
EL Ziggy
09-18-16, 10:19 AM
Welcome back E. Nice critters bud. Looks like you've been busy in your absence. ;)
Albert Clark
09-18-16, 10:52 AM
Grats! Obviously way ahead of your years. Reptile care and husbandry will do that though. Haha. Welcome back to the club.
Tsubaki
09-20-16, 08:58 AM
Not entierely sure I understand the question but as far as cleaning cages , paying for the snakes ,paying for the food, paying for the caging etc its all me . My family enjoys them but doesnt help work with them . occasionally i can get my sister to hold a snake while i clean its cage or something like that lol
You are quite young, which is not a problem but i was wondering if your parents were assisting you in the future. In regards to the beautiful reticulated python you have there ;)
SnakeyJay
09-20-16, 11:42 AM
Gotta agree with that notion about pre planning your safety procedures for dealing with an adult retic... 2-3 people minimum needed really depending on adult size.
That's 2-3 people who are comfortable and confident dealing with the animal in question. That's why my girlfriend is in "training" at the moment where I'm really putting her through her paces in regards to the snakes... I NEED to know that she's capable, and that's with an SD cross, let alone a mainland.
We're not having a dig at you, and it may be something you've thought about already but it needs saying just in case you haven't. You wouldn't believe the amount of people who THINK they can deal with a retic solo. :)
marvelfreak
09-20-16, 02:56 PM
Hello and welcome back. Just curious what was your old screen name?
Ebolling
09-20-16, 10:40 PM
I have multiple friends who are experienced with large constrictors for her later years. After 10 ft I am going to start having help with her. Ive handled retics up to 15ft (alone but with friends around in case things went wrong ) and dealt with an angry 6 1/2 female boa defending her litter . Im fairly confident in my skills but not arrogant enough to handle a mainland retic by myself
Ebolling
09-20-16, 10:41 PM
Hello and welcome back. Just curious what was your old screen name?
im thinking ebolling45.
SnakeyJay
09-21-16, 12:34 AM
I have multiple friends who are experienced with large constrictors for her later years. After 10 ft I am going to start having help with her. Ive handled retics up to 15ft (alone but with friends around in case things went wrong ) and dealt with an angry 6 1/2 female boa defending her litter . Im fairly confident in my skills but not arrogant enough to handle a mainland retic by myself
Sounds like you've got most things covered... Only thing I'll say is this.
The reason I'm putting my girlfriend through her paces is because she's the one who's here with me. I've got lots of friends who keep larger snakes like yourself, however at 2am when the bulbs blow or something else goes wrong she's the one who will be there with me.
Realisticly having to wait till a friend can come over to help just isn't enough for myself, however you may be able to get someone to help faster than I could.
Goodluck with your plans and don't forget to post more pics of these stunning animals :D
dave himself
09-22-16, 03:25 AM
First off let me just say I'm not getting at you here I'm just stating a few facts handling one of these snakes and keeping them in your home are two complete different things, I should know I work in a shop were I have to handle them and show them to customers. Then I have to come home and take care of my own, honestly there is no comparison in the two. I also think that you should never have been sold a retic because of your age and I think the person who did so is totally irresponsible for doing it but that's just my opinion you can dislike me for it if you wish. Now I wish you all the best with your beauiful girl and I hope everything goes well with you and her :)
jay's reptiles
09-22-16, 08:37 AM
I'm 16 and weight 214 and can dead lift 225
and i own a baby retic
Welcome (back)to the forum Ebolling! Nice animals you have there. I started breeding snakes at a young age as well, and although you seem very mature for your age, I agree with the others when it comes to the giants. Just make sure to follow all the precautions required to keep your animals safely. It's good that you have help.
I'm 16 and weight 214 and can dead lift 225
and i own a baby retic
Be sure to have someone around to help when the time comes because however strong you think you are really won't make a difference if you're in a sticky situation with a 10+ footer in hunger mode. :)
SnakeyJay
09-22-16, 09:30 AM
I'm 16 and weight 214 and can dead lift 225
and i own a baby retic
You do know how a snakes muscle fibres interlock right.... And the fact that it means they can exert so much pressure....
You may be a big lad, but that retic as an adult will be strong enough to overpower you no problem.....
jay's reptiles
09-22-16, 10:06 AM
You do know how a snakes muscle fibres interlock right.... And the fact that it means they can exert so much pressure....
You may be a big lad, but that retic as an adult will be strong enough to overpower you no problem.....
Yes i do know this. I just saying while the snake is 6-7 ft i could easily be fine by myself. But i when the retic 10-15 ft i have help.
I do understand there power.
dannybgoode
09-22-16, 10:32 AM
I was surprised the other day by sheer power of even my little 15mo boa. She hasn't done it before but decided to use my fingers as a branch and locked on with not more that the last 3-4" of her tail and the grip was extraordinary.
Yeah sure I could break it given her age and size but it gave me the first real insight into just how strong a constricting snake can be. So yes, I fully believe that even a strong, full grown adult could be in real and serious trouble if a big constrictor decided to have a go.
dave himself
09-22-16, 12:50 PM
I'm 16 and weight 214 and can dead lift 225
and i own a baby retic
Jay this isn't really anything to do with why we don't sell retics to 16 year olds :confused:
jay's reptiles
09-22-16, 01:31 PM
Jay this isn't really anything to do with why we don't sell retics to 16 year olds :confused:
What i said... had nothing to do with what you said. I telling everybody XD.
Selling to a 16 is fine. As long as they are mature. Know what they are getting their self into. I already found a place that sell frozen jumbo rat and rabbits. I also have a 9 ft enclosure in the making as we speak and i have done my research for over 8 months on this species alone.
10 and younger is a no go!
What i said... had nothing to do with what you said. I telling everybody XD.
Selling to a 16 is fine. As long as they are mature. Know what they are getting their self into. I already found a place that sell frozen jumbo rat and rabbits. I also have a 9 ft enclosure in the making as we speak and i have done my research for over 8 months on this species alone.
10 and younger is a no go!
I completely disagree...and I know that i'll derail this thread a bit but I really feel this is important to discuss.
Maturity aside, you are at the age where there are too many life events/changes on the horizon that can complicate things. To take on the responsibility of a giant is very similar to taking on the responsibility of keeping hots in my opinion , and you have to be settled down to do it fully and completely.
What happens if you attend post-secondary school and can't bring your giant snake that requires specialized care with you? Do you have someone that can safely and competently care for a giant?
What if you want to move? Not only do you then have to make sure that where you're moving will allow what you keep, but you have to stay within state lines due to all that lovely new legislation, and you also have to have someone on the other side where you're moving who you trust to be competent that can help you with daily routine and take over if you lose interest or a life change happens where you can no longer take care of the animal for whatever reason.
I used to get downplayed a lot in regards to what I knew and what I achieved in the hobby because I was your age not TOO long ago so that's not what I am doing here. Just using logic, experience, and the facts of life. If none of the above applies to you...you're one of the select few that it doesn't. Sale of hots and giants to anyone under 18...or even after the fact without lots of proof of knowledge and handling? Nope. Not something I advocate, sorry.
jay's reptiles
09-22-16, 02:04 PM
i been living with my while i attend college so i be their everyday to take care of her.
dave himself
09-22-16, 02:13 PM
What i said... had nothing to do with what you said. I telling everybody XD.
Selling to a 16 is fine. As long as they are mature. Know what they are getting their self into. I already found a place that sell frozen jumbo rat and rabbits. I also have a 9 ft enclosure in the making as we speak and i have done my research for over 8 months on this species alone.
10 and younger is a no go!
Jay sounds like you've got it all sussed and you need no help and your last statement about 10 year olds speaks volumes
Ebolling
09-22-16, 08:10 PM
Jay sounds like you've got it all sussed and you need no help and your last statement about 10 year olds speaks volumes
Im actually quite upset about how he repsonded to the criticism. Pretty sure he has the exact attitude that leads a keeper into dangerous situations . As far as college etc goes for me i plan on staying with my parents and attending a community college ( cheaper , closer and still offers the courses I want) and I have close friends who would intervene if they thought i was over my head with my situation.
Im actually quite upset about how he repsonded to the criticism. Pretty sure he has the exact attitude that leads a keeper into dangerous situations . As far as college etc goes for me i plan on staying with my parents and attending a community college ( cheaper , closer and still offers the courses I want) and I have close friends who would intervene if they thought i was over my head with my situation.
You've got it figured out for real. Good stuff. :)
SnakeyJay
09-23-16, 12:07 AM
Im actually quite upset about how he repsonded to the criticism. Pretty sure he has the exact attitude that leads a keeper into dangerous situations . As far as college etc goes for me i plan on staying with my parents and attending a community college ( cheaper , closer and still offers the courses I want) and I have close friends who would intervene if they thought i was over my head with my situation.
Spot on.... :)
dave himself
09-23-16, 12:57 AM
Im actually quite upset about how he repsonded to the criticism. Pretty sure he has the exact attitude that leads a keeper into dangerous situations . As far as college etc goes for me i plan on staying with my parents and attending a community college ( cheaper , closer and still offers the courses I want) and I have close friends who would intervene if they thought i was over my head with my situation.
Now my friend you have it sussed ;)
jay's reptiles
09-23-16, 07:02 AM
Im actually quite upset about how he repsonded to the criticism. Pretty sure he has the exact attitude that leads a keeper into dangerous situations . As far as college etc goes for me i plan on staying with my parents and attending a community college ( cheaper , closer and still offers the courses I want) and I have close friends who would intervene if they thought i was over my head with my situation.
actually i was completely fine about the stuff he said. I was just telling him that i am perfectly capable of taking care of this species.
jay's reptiles
09-23-16, 07:04 AM
i will be attending a community college as well.
SnakeyJay
09-23-16, 10:57 AM
actually i was completely fine about the stuff he said. I was just telling him that i am perfectly capable of taking care of this species.
Ok, walk us through your safety procedures/precautions with your retic then mate? Talk us through it as if he was already an adult retic and explain how you'd get him out, feeding time methods, what you'll do when he eventually lands a decent bite at a decent size etc etc..
You may have already sorted all this, but we may be able to give some tips to improve things and make it safer and easier...
I had all my procedures/methods sussed out before purchasing Floki, but that was a demand from my girlfriend as she's super protective of our tiny little rat dog hahaha :D
jay's reptiles
09-23-16, 11:13 AM
Ok, walk us through your safety procedures/precautions with your retic then mate? Talk us through it as if he was already an adult retic and explain how you'd get him out, feeding time methods, what you'll do when he eventually lands a decent bite at a decent size etc etc..
You may have already sorted all this, but we may be able to give some tips to improve things and make it safer and easier...
I had all my procedures/methods sussed out before purchasing Floki, but that was a demand from my girlfriend as she's super protective of our tiny little rat dog hahaha :D
Hahaha well I'm at school right now. But here is a couple things. First, if she was able to get a hold of me. I would pour just a little bit of alcohol in her mouth. I already have the 2 person rule for when she is out. When its time for her to come out i lightly type her on the head with my snake hook. So she knows its not feeding time, She feeds inside of her enclosure at night as well. So i don't at night. She feeds every Wednesdays as a baby. ( unless she is in shed) ill feed her right after shed in that case.
SnakeyJay
09-23-16, 01:07 PM
Ok so an adult retic lands a feeding response bite and you'll get a bit of alcohol...
I think you need to work out a proper plan with whoever the second person is, when it's happening you wouldn't be thinking straight and neither would they. They need to know how to actually unwrap the snake and be confident enough to do this, and then be able to get him/her back into the enclosure.
The 2 person thing only works if the second person is capable and confident.
dannybgoode
09-23-16, 01:19 PM
You have the nucleus of a plan and that's good.
Bear in mind though that the 2 person rule needs to apply every single time you open the viv. Be it to feed, clean, change the water, clear the **** out, in an emergency at 2am in the morning whenever.
I know of at least one person who has owned retics for 30+ year and this particular snake for 16 years who let his guard down once. He nearly lost his foot and will never walk properly again. This isn't BS, isn't to scare you into not having one-its real, it happens.
As Jamie says your number 2 needs to know exactly what to do and how when they see you being potentially killed by a 150lb snake. You need to know what to do when you have a 150lb snake out of its enclosure and it suddenly decides to spaz out (both Dave Himself and Tsubaki will have examples of retics having a turn).
None of this is trying to belittle you or have a go. These snakes are serious business. Yes they are one of the most fascinating species to own but if it goes wrong it doesn't tend to just go a little but wrong in a life changing way.
dave himself
09-24-16, 02:57 AM
Hahaha well I'm at school right now. But here is a couple things. First, if she was able to get a hold of me. I would pour just a little bit of alcohol in her mouth. I already have the 2 person rule for when she is out. When its time for her to come out i lightly type her on the head with my snake hook. So she knows its not feeding time, She feeds inside of her enclosure at night as well. So i don't at night. She feeds every Wednesdays as a baby. ( unless she is in shed) ill feed her right after shed in that case.
Look mate you and I and the OP seem to have have got off on the wrong foot here and it's my fault :( and for I apologise to you both. I'm no expert when it comes to these large snakes I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm just a muppet who's lucky enough to keeping these beautiful snakes for a few years. If there's ever anything you think I can help both you with swing by and drop me a PM my doors always open :)
SnakeyJay
09-24-16, 03:06 AM
Look mate you and I and the OP seem to have have got off on the wrong foot here and it's my fault :( and for I apologise to you both. I'm no expert when it comes to these large snakes I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm just a muppet who's lucky enough to keeping these beautiful snakes for a few years. If there's ever anything you think I can help both you with swing by and drop me a PM my doors always open :)
And this is why I like this forum......
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