need opinions.

[jay's reptiles]

alright, so i currently own a reticulated python, i will be living by myself in a couple of years, i know it safe to always have a seconed set of hands, when handling your 12+ retic, but i'll be living by myself. Don't get me wrong, i'm not underestimating the strength of a adult retic, but i'm pretty strong, seriously, i deadlift 390 squat 415, i live on a farm, im whole bloodline has always been strong, i have no doubt that my retic is stronger than me. i think i could handle myself.

i'll always have a bottle of vinegar to the side, i also have other means of keeping safe. i also know that i need to stay calm and to not have my snake or myself be harmed. i

what else should add to my safe list, since ill be living by myself.

[Andy_G]

I never got into giants because of the responsibility and respect required for these animals and the fact that you NEED to have someone else there to help if you're going to keep these snakes responsibly. Large boas were therefore my limit, and even then for the larger individuals I would make sure someone else was home. I used to powerlift and those numbers you stated are lower than mine were when I was in my late teens...Even though you're strong and you think you're going to be strong enough if something happens, it literally means nothing when you have a pissed off adult retic latched on and wrapping you. Vinegar would be like a condiment. This has been brought up before by you. My opinion would be to either find someone who will help you on a daily basis, or keep a more appropriate species that doesn't require at least another person helping during the day to day activities. Doing anything else is simply irresponsible and puts the keeping of large snakes at risk because if something were to happen, both you and the hobby would pay for the mistake. Sorry if that's not what you want to hear...but you literally asked for it.

[jay's reptiles]

Originally Posted by Andy_G

I never got into giants because of the responsibility and respect required for these animals and the fact that you NEED to have someone else there to help if you're going to keep these snakes responsibly. Large boas were therefore my limit, and even then for the larger individuals I would make sure someone else was home. I used to powerlift and those numbers you stated are lower than mine were when I was in my late teens...Even though you're strong and you think you're going to be strong enough if something happens, it literally means nothing when you have a pissed off adult retic latched on and wrapping you. Vinegar would be like a condiment. This has been brought up before by you. My opinion would be to either find someone who will help you on a daily basis, or keep a more appropriate species that doesn't require at least another person helping during the day to day activities. Doing anything else is simply irresponsible and puts the keeping of large snakes at risk because if something were to happen, both you and the hobby would pay for the mistake. Sorry if that's not what you want to hear...but you literally asked for it.

welp guess i got to get girlfriend or make some friends lol, those are my stats for back in 9 grade. I haven't really pushed myself lately. i could easily surpass squat of 500.

[jay's reptiles]

Originally Posted by Andy_G

I never got into giants because of the responsibility and respect required for these animals and the fact that you NEED to have someone else there to help if you're going to keep these snakes responsibly. Large boas were therefore my limit, and even then for the larger individuals I would make sure someone else was home. I used to powerlift and those numbers you stated are lower than mine were when I was in my late teens...Even though you're strong and you think you're going to be strong enough if something happens, it literally means nothing when you have a pissed off adult retic latched on and wrapping you. Vinegar would be like a condiment. This has been brought up before by you. My opinion would be to either find someone who will help you on a daily basis, or keep a more appropriate species that doesn't require at least another person helping during the day to day activities. Doing anything else is simply irresponsible and puts the keeping of large snakes at risk because if something were to happen, both you and the hobby would pay for the mistake. Sorry if that's not what you want to hear...but you literally asked for it.

oh, i thought vinegar was safer for snakes, will beer work? i heard people use beer.

[Andy_G]

Originally Posted by jay's reptiles

oh, i thought vinegar was safer for snakes, will beer work? i heard people use beer.

Nothing will work 100% of the time if they're hungry. It's all condiments. You're just adding to taste haha.

[jay's reptiles]

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Nothing will work 100% of the time if they're hungry. It's all condiments. You're just adding to taste haha.

sorry if this is a double post of a earlier thread i made on this subject. i completely forgot about.

[Tsubaki]

As much as I understand how hard that is, I have to agree with Andy. I would not have my retics if I did not have someone to help me once they surpass the 'safe' size.

[jay's reptiles]

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

As much as I understand how hard that is, I have to agree with Andy. I would not have my retics if I did not have someone to help me once they surpass the 'safe' size.

Thinking about trying to find a person who would want to be my roommate

[GyGbeetle]

Originally Posted by jay's reptiles

Thinking about trying to find a person who would want to be my roommate

I was just going to suggest why not have a roommate? I have retics, and even at their young size now, my husband and I always tag team. Even a baby retic can get aggressive, especially during feeding time, and can cause some serious damage. He's been wrapped by our male retic, a food wrap, really messed up his finger. And then the female, she didn't like him one day, and out of nowhere bit and started grinding onto his finger. In both instances, if a second person weren't there, it would've been much worse, for both human AND snake.

Even with a spray bottle, if you're being wrapped by a large snake, how will you be able to spray, unless you instantly sprout more arms?

[Andy_G]

Originally Posted by jay's reptiles

sorry if this is a double post of a earlier thread i made on this subject. i completely forgot about.

You've mentioned your strength in another thread and that you thought it would suffice for handling giants before is what I meant. No harm done, though.

[EL Ziggy]

I agree, better to be safe than sorry. Wrestling with an angry, powerful 12ft+ animal with the dexterity of a snake is a task best suited for two.

[uhhlise_nacole]

Originally Posted by GyGbeetle

I was just going to suggest why not have a roommate? I have retics, and even at their young size now, my husband and I always tag team. Even a baby retic can get aggressive, especially during feeding time, and can cause some serious damage. He's been wrapped by our male retic, a food wrap, really messed up his finger. And then the female, she didn't like him one day, and out of nowhere bit and started grinding onto his finger. In both instances, if a second person weren't there, it would've been much worse, for both human AND snake.

Even with a spray bottle, if you're being wrapped by a large snake, how will you be able to spray, unless you instantly sprout more arms?

My apologies for throwing in on this a little late but I practice the tag team method as well even with how small the Retic and Burm are in comparison to how big they will be. I won't pull either of them out without Cody nearby or at least in the house with me. I've never taken a bite yet so I definitely don't want to have that initial 'first timer' shock alone without someone to give me a laugh afterwards lol. Just yesterday Carrie used her newfound diva strength to fight me on going back into the enclosure and I made him stay in the room on standby to make sure there were no issues.

[Aaron_S]

The general rules for safety protocols with giants are as follows:

1. Two people working with the animal at the same time. Sometimes it's been known to have someone within earshot who knows what you're doing and knows how to handle a situation if something were to happen and needs to enter the situation.

2. Vinegar, strong alcohol in a spray bottle at arms reach at all times.

3. A hose hooked right up to the hot water heater in case the spray bottle above doesn't work.

4. Push comes to shove an appropriate sized knife

[sattva]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

The general rules for safety protocols with giants are as follows:

1. Two people working with the animal at the same time. Sometimes it's been known to have someone within earshot who knows what you're doing and knows how to handle a situation if something were to happen and needs to enter the situation.

2. Vinegar, strong alcohol in a spray bottle at arms reach at all times.

3. A hose hooked right up to the hot water heater in case the spray bottle above doesn't work.

4. Push comes to shove an appropriate sized knife

I have all these protocols in place except the water heater thing... I live in an apartment and the water heater is out side in a closet... I have a knife as a last resort, but I would have a real problem taking his life... Hell I put the bugs out side for my wife because I can't stand to kill anything...

I guess my question here is, is this a common problem? Snakes turning on their owners... It can't be to common or it would be all over the news right?
I guess it only takes one time... My wife knows to unwind from the tail out!

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by sattva

I have all these protocols in place except the water heater thing... I live in an apartment and the water heater is out side in a closet... I have a knife as a last resort, but I would have a real problem taking his life... Hell I put the bugs out side for my wife because I can't stand to kill anything...

I guess my question here is, is this a common problem? Snakes turning on their owners... It can't be to common or it would be all over the news right?
I guess it only takes one time... My wife knows to unwind from the tail out!

You can unwind from the tail or hold from the neck and do the same.

Um I don't know how common it is because giant keepers keep it pretty hush hush when something bad happens. They hate being told "I told you so" and being wrong

I do know of a few cases where the nicest snake has done a number on someone when they thought food was coming.

About 15 years ago I knew a guy who kept a number of giants (No dwarfs at the time so serious real giants.) He hired a teen to help clean and such and he was really good. One day he wasn't paying as close attention as he should to a 17 foot extremely docile burmese and she thought food was coming. Got him good on the hand, wrapped him up pretty quick and thankfully people were on hand and saw it and reacted quickly. Left some nice bruises from the pictures we saw and he had quite the shock.

A small error could have ended horrendously. This is why I don't understand the casual nature people take with these animals.