Madu Super Dwarf??

[Theweinz]

Hey Guys,
Can anyone help confirm that this is a super dwarf retic? It is two years old and is 78 inches long. I bought it 8 months ago as a 4 foot male SD. It has put on 30 inches in the last 8 months (that kind of got me thinking). Very mellow except when it is feeding time. Beautiful snake and tolerates handling very well. Eats two medium rats every 7 to 10 days and has shed every 5 weeks or so. It would eat me out of house and home if I let it!! Appreciate your input.
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[Terranaut]

The only one who can confirm it's a dwarf is the breeder.

[Theweinz]

That was my fear. No real breeding data

[millertime89]

Looking at it on my phone I have my doubts, I'll send the pics to someone who knows the localities extremely well and let you know what he says. At that age and that size with that growth I very highly doubt he's an SD, looks like Selayer to me.

[Theweinz]

Thanks that would be great.

[Terranaut]

That was my fear. No real breeding data

Well if you wait a year or 2 you will know for sure ;)

[millertime89]

He's in Indo so it might be a bit before he replies.

[Theweinz]

No problem, thanks for asking him.

[Freebody]

I highly dought its a superdwarf if its grown 30" in 8 months, specially from the 4 foot mark, superdwarf males should cap full grown around 7 feet for a male, maybe 8.5 as a female. 30" inch in 8 months sounds like a dwarf retic growth rate, my dwarf retic went from about 20" to 11 feet in 5 years and has stopped growing already.

[Theweinz]

I rechecked my records and it was exactly a 28 inch growth spurt in 8 months. Glad you were able to compare it to your male dwarf growth rate. I have been feeding it pretty well. A 10-11 foot dwarf I can handle, just not a 20 footer!;)

[Lankyrob]

Just for reference my SD is three years old and approx 80inches, never missed a meal in three years and i feed him prey about threee to four times his girth every three to four weeks, dont think yours is an SD :)

[Pirarucu]

I'm going to say it's not a pure superdwarf, but I'd say it has some sort of dwarf blood in it. The overhanging top lip and the slightly less contrasting markings are indicators. My retic (50% SD, 25% Jamp.) was almost exactly that size at that age. It's not big enough to be a pure mainland though, unless it was seriously underfed.

[Theweinz]

I'm going to say it's not a pure superdwarf, but I'd say it has some sort of dwarf blood in it. The overhanging top lip and the slightly less contrasting markings are indicators. My retic (50% SD, 25% Jamp.) was almost exactly that size at that age. It's not big enough to be a pure mainland though, unless it was seriously underfed.

Thanks for the info, that certainly helps. How large and old is yours now?

[Freebody]

my dwarf is a female btw.

[Theweinz]

my dwarf is a female btw.

Gotcha, sorry. A male should be a bit smaller then.

[Freebody]

yes and no, my breeders dwarf lines were really small, and his superdwarf line was mini, his male breeder superdwarfs was 6 feet at like 8 years old and the females were under 8 feet if I remember correctly, his dwarf line were exactly what mine is full grown, 11 feet. its usually about 2-3 feet or so larger for the average dwarf line. if its a dwarf I would expect a 9-10 footer before its slows down growing so much you can call it full grown. retics are my favorite snakes! and my Bella has a special spot in my heart, if my house caught on fire one night, I guarantee she coming out with me, even at the cost of not being able to wake the roomates LOL

[Theweinz]

That's funny. I really enjoy my retic too. I just want to know what I am in for. Thanks for the info.

[millertime89]

Can you get a full picture of his body? Requested by my acquaintance in Indo.

[Theweinz]

Thank you! Yes I will get a full body photo. I am at work now but will post it tonight. I will get a full body and one of me holding him to get an idea of scale. I see what you mean about possibility of having some Selayar in him.

[Pirarucu]

Thanks for the info, that certainly helps. How large and old is yours now?He is roughly seven and a half feet now, and will be four years old this year.

[Theweinz]

Can you get a full picture of his body? Requested by my acquaintance in Indo.

Here are a couple full body shots, hope they help your friend. Great looking snake no matter what it is "exactly"! Thanks again.:)
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[moshirimon]

Doesn't look SD to me. I had a dwarf that looked exactly like that guy. I wouldn't say SD , but I wouldn't say mainland either. If I were you I'd be expecting a big snake, not huge though. Beautiful snake though, loved the pics!

[Theweinz]

Thanks, how big did yours get? What kind of dwarf was it?

[millertime89]

He looks great, I'll send those to him but I don't see any SD there. Maybe a touch in the neck pattern but that appears in other dwarf localities too.

[millertime89]

He thinks its a mainland x SD cross, judging by the size most likely a 50% SD.

[Theweinz]

Thanks Kyle, glad to get his expert opinion. Glad he thinks there is some SDin him! Time will tell the story. Thanks for taking the time man!

[millertime89]

Not a problem, that's why I pop in from time to time. He has some really nice colors. How's his attitude? Cage defensive or flighty at all?

[Theweinz]

I do not have much experience with retics, but he is active, always moving when I hold him. Sometimes he will coil up on my shoulder area and just hang tight and look around. When I first saw him at the pet shop I got him from, he would strike everytime the cage opened up or anytime the owner tried to handle him. Once I got him home, I left him alone for a week, then I just started taking him out by hand with slow but direct movements, never with a hook. He is always curious but he knows the difference between me and food. He has never struck at me or even hissed. I could not ask for a better attitude compared with some of the things I have read about retics! I do not try to handle him a day or so after feeding, or when I am feeding any of my other snakes. He always comes out hunting when I am feeding mice or rats. His feeding response is incredible. Without doubt the most observant, intelligent snake in my collection. He is always aware of what is going on outside his cage. I handle him about twice a week. I keep him in a 4X2 Boaphile cage with a RHP- he seems to like it, but my need a 6X2X2 or larger by the time he is an adult! I will update info as to how he is growing! Thanks again Kyle

[millertime89]

Definitely wait on getting the 6x2x2 until it seems needed, a male should stay smaller. The striking when the cage is opened is typical feeding response, especially if he never was held. Sounds like you're doing a good job with him, but I would recommend getting a hook in case he starts having feeding responses again. A paper towel roll works just as well and there's no risk of breaking teeth. Looking forward to updates on him.