Help me decide

[fErReTs]

Well it's about time to get another snake and this time a big one . I am fully aware of all the care and needs of a large snake and the expences that come with owning one . Right now the biggest snakes I have are female Columbian Boa Contrictor . Now being a girl with a smaller sturcture I need a snake that would be not extremly large but just big(in my head that's about 9-14 feet )

[Slipknot]

Any one of the giants can easily overpower even the biggest guy...so what do you mean by "manageable"? If you mean something that can't kill you if it wanted to, a giant is not for you.

[fErReTs]

No that's not what I meant . I am fully aware of the strengh that these giant snakes have . What I meant is something with a calmer temper (although all individuals are different ) . I am not concenred about the snake killing me in any sence .

[ATBlover]

i would say a dwarf retic or maybe a burm...(male)...Connor

[fErReTs]

I was thinking alone the lines of a male burm too but I am not fully aware of all my options . If any of you have picture of you holding your adult male burm or other snake please post them. Thanks

[HeatherRose]

I'm a female too, and I'm shorter than you. I think what I would go for if I was ready for a giant would be male burm, because in my experience and from what I've read burms have a nicer temperment and would be more manageable for me...

Just my opinion though. Good luck :)

[Slipknot]

I don't have any pics yet but I have a male Afrock, he is very gentle and should be a joy to work with when he is an adult. Male Afrocks get around 10-12ft., male Burms range from 10-15ft., male Retics about 13-15ft. So if you want the smallest go with a male Afrock. But you have a better chance of getting a tame snake with a Burm. ;)

[fErReTs]

Thanks I think I will go with a male burm or maybe a afrock . If anyone knows a good place to purchase either from in Canada preferably BC please let me know .

[kevyn]

If you have no experience with giants I really don't recommend an Afrock. Afrocks can be quite the handful. They are much more tempermental than Burms. Burms aren't too bad a choice because of their docile nature. However, even they can have their moments. Make sure you have good safety protocols once you have the snake.

Super Dwarf Retics would be ideal if you want to spend the money for one. They are very small and captive bred Retics are often evenly tempered. Dwarf Burms are ideal too, but they're price pushed you into a much high price range. Let me know if you have any questions or inquires on where to obtain these animals.

[JimmyDavid]

Slipknot said it quite right, about those lenght figures on the males. Those would be my average numbers too (for males). But those figures have a catch: The male retic will still be the lightest one, therefore the most manageable. People hear of 13-15 feet and back off, but the "smaller"10-12 foot rock is larger. remember that.

[fErReTs]

Yeah , thats true both burms and afrocks are quite heavily build . If any one has a piture of a male reticulated python that would be great . Oh if any one knows of some good sites that deal with any of these snakes that would be a big help . Thanks everyone thats replied.

[kevyn]

Mike Wilbanks' site www.constrictors.com is outstanding, as are his animals. If you're looking for quality in both service and product, I can't say enough good things about Mike. Bob Clark is a legend too, as is NERD, www.newenglandreptile.com . You can't go wrong on any of these sites. Here's my male Javan and my male Wilbanks lavender albino...

http://www.aussiepythons.com/albums/album129/100_2901_edited.jpg

http://www.aussiepythons.com/albums/album129/100_2892_edited.jpg

http://www.aussiepythons.com/albums/album129/AlbinoReticM1_Pic2.jpg

[ATBlover]

mhm thats right...even though the burm gets a little longer...it would probably weigh less than the afrock..afrocks can get up to 200 lbs..for a female..not sure for a male..probably like 150-160...(probably wrong but their kno to eat some of the biggest meals...id go with a burm or like i said an adult dwarf retic gets about 8 feet max for the males and 10 -12 for the females..im thinking of a jampea dwarf or a burm too....Id i were you id try port credit and get a normal or w/e you want your burm morph to be...if normal..they are 65 buks if you go and get it yourself..pretty good deal but ordering is a little more.....P.S..let me know what your final decision is and how it works out...Cheers.....Connor

[fErReTs]

Well I must say I really don't know what I am going to choose , I am leaning towards retic's as I have
always loved their apperance . Thanks everyone .

[CamHanna]

If I was in your position I'd take some time and do a little more reading on each of the species. I’d talk to a few more people who keep them and maybe even find someone who would let me handle their giant, just to get a feel for size and learn first hand from an experienced teacher.

Choosing such a big snake is certainly not a decision that you want to get ‘wrong’ and if you're bouncing between three different species over the course of a day then I wonder if you have enough information yet to make an informed decision. You don't have to decide right away do you?

Cam

[kevyn]

Well I must say I really don't know what I am going to choose , I am leaning towards retic's as I have

Though Burms and Afrocks do get heavier on average, Retics get much longer on average. Large Retics can weigh quite abit. Male's on average stay smaller, but I have spoken with several breeders and keepers with 20ft. male Retics. It's not that out of the ordinary. Also Retics are much more active and alert than Burms or Afrocks. They tend to be quite flighty and sometimes nervous.

They are also one of the most intelligent reptiles I've worked with. This can often lead to some difficult handling. If I were you, I'd lean towards a Burm. Retic behaviour can often be difficult and isn't for someone wilth no experience with giants.

[fErReTs]

I have educated myself on all three of the species that I have been considering and of course I will and have done more research . I am in no rush to get this snake either . I am also already in the prosses of making plans to go visit a few giants. I am quite responsible and before I ever bring any animal into my home I have done plenty of research and am aware of all their needs and what to expect .I belive that all my pets are like family members and if I were to feel that in a few years once the snake was full grown I would have to get rid of it I wouldn't even consider bring one into my home . Hopefully this doesn't come off to defensive . Oh and by the way when I said leaning towards the retics I meant super dwarf not regular . At this time I really don't know what I will get until I meet a few adult snakes and then I will make my decision. I most likley will get a male burm as they are more calm (but still just as dangerous) , as for afrocks they have a bad rep for being quite aggressive but totally depends on the individual I guess. I will let you guys know what I get when I get it probably in the the next few months.

[ATBlover]

what size are you loking for?..a normal retic?..or a female dwarf which will be about 10-12 feet?....Lemme know what your final decision is....Connor

[dave68]

Hey fErReTs,
Just curious if you've checked out Henry Pioruns website(www.a1pythons.com) last time I checked, I believe he had dwarfs, possibly super-dwarfs and regular retics. Just thought this might help as he is close to you, and he has nothing but excellent quality.
Good luck with your decision, Allison

[kevyn]

or a female dwarf which will be about 10-12 feet?

Female super dwarf Retics are much smaller than that. Henry right now does not have any Super Dwarfs for sale. Just to give you some idea, here's a shot of one of Bob Clark's breeder female Super Dwarfs...

http://www.bobclark.com/images/animals/retic_superdwarfeggs.jpg

[ATBlover]

hmm yea i saw that recently..thats friggin small man..i was thinking of one of those...and a full grown female could reach 10 feet...just needs time and alot of care....also i bet you that girl in the pic is about 6 feet...is that a super dwarf?..and also henry doesn't have any supers right now..he may soon but all hes got is an adult female and albino retics...Connor

[kevyn]

That's a super dwarf more accuratly known as the Kayudai (probably mangling the spelling) Island Retic. They are the smallest know subspecies of Retic know. Henry does have 1 hatchling super, but unfortunately (for me) it's not for sale. I tried to talk him into selling it to me, but he wouldn't have any of it.:(

[kevyn]

I should mention that in 1999 Bob Clark and MikeWilbanks were among the first to import these "Super Dwarf" Retics. Mike's original group to this day, remain about the size of Black Rat Snakes.

[oliver]

Yes Henry Piorun is a very good breeder!!
Oliver