Is Reticulated Phyton that devil many describe?

Niten · 01-02-15, 02:50 AM

It looks like I'm quite talented in building relationships with snakes actually, my Boa (first snake!) just loves me, does the Retic have such a different temperament as i could read in many places?
And... is Green Anaconda legal? I guess it's not, such a pity, such a noble animal...

SSSSnakes · 01-02-15, 07:54 AM

Retics and Anacondas are nothing like a boa. In my opinion neither are good for a beginner.

sharthun · 01-02-15, 08:42 AM

Oh btw, snakes don't love anyone, they just tolerate us.

MDT · 01-02-15, 10:01 AM

my experience has been that captive bred animals are much more tolerant than wild caught. i have 3 retics. none of which have ever struck at me, let alone bitten me out of aggression. one of my relics (ironically the smallest of the trio) has a crazy hair trigger feeding response. walking by his enclosure after feeding even up to a week later will often elicit a strike. but i can handle each one (with respect) and not worry about aggression.

every snake is different. sometimes you get a pussycat. sometimes you get a butthole. just like people

some are merely cage defensive and once you remove them from the enclosure, they will settle down for handling. some never will. "hook training" and patience, working w your snake will go a long way, but sometimes, you just end up with a grumpy snake.

and, sharthun is right....your dog loves you. your snake couldn't care less who you are.

Niten · 01-02-15, 12:50 PM

She'd better love me and all the money I spent to provide her with a slice of jungle, only beautiful spot in my gara... room o.o
Besides jokes, her behaviour has improved a lot since the first days (taking her out was a fight against the enclosure decorations), that's enough for me. ^^
So it looks like it's true what they say about the great reticulated. I want one now. o.o My room could even get decent at that point, mmh...

CosmicOwl · 01-02-15, 05:36 PM

Snakes aren't capable of building emotional bonds with people. You can develop a trust but, I believe that is it.

**millertime89** · 01-02-15, 06:02 PM

MOST captive bred retics aren't bad at all and some are an absolute delight to work with. Wild caught animals can be a real pain though.

Cmwells90 · 01-02-15, 06:21 PM

ya know what I've never understood, why people feel a NEED to tell others that there snakes don't really love them. If he wants to believe that his connection with his snake is love, then let him. But when the post was about a retic, and he mentions love, we immediatly tell him they don't love him, and ignore the question, in fact it's happened twice on this thread alone, and I've seen it countless other places.

Bottom line is, who cares if it's love or trust. To some people they're the same thing. I'm not trying to be rude, but when it's already been said once in a thread, and then someone else brings it up, it's a little crazy, and clearly Niten doesn't care, plus I'm sure someone has said it to him in another post. -_-

eminart · 01-06-15, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmwells90

ya know what I've never understood, why people feel a NEED to tell others that there snakes don't really love them.

Because it's a red flag that a person doesn't have any true understanding of the animal they're keeping/talking about. The first thing a person should understand when dealing with animals, is that they think like whichever animal they are. Applying human rationale to the behaviors of other animals is a recipe for failure.

**Minkness** · 01-06-15, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eminart

Because it's a red flag that a person doesn't have any true understanding of the animal they're keeping/talking about. The first thing a person should understand when dealing with animals, is that they think like whichever animal they are. Applying human rationale to the behaviors of other animals is a recipe for failure.

+1!

Also, to me, it worries me o disrespecting the true needs of the animal. "Dogs have fur so what if it's chained up outside all winter with no shelter" is just as serious a declaration to me as stating that a reptile has feelings. Someone who thinks this way may put the animal or others around them at risk. It shows a level of ignorance about the animal in that person's care. Not all care is physical after all. Some dogs or cats are clingy and 'need' a more attentive owner. Some snakes may stress out over things that another of their same breed may not. Knowing that a well bred work horse needs to work and knowing this type of l need and respecting the animal enough to make sure they have it is just as important as temps and humidity, ect.

I like to relate things to myself as a way to understand better, so I'll share a non reptile related story of how I learned this.

I looove horses. Draft horses in particular. So, when I could afford one, I got a wonderful percheron stallion, who i later gelded. He was big and sweet, and wonderful in every way. However, I am an animal hobbyist. And while he was in training at another location I rode another horse that was sweet and smart, and perhaps even a little loyal (that's another story) I was thrown and broke my back because I dint think she would hurt me and didn't respect she wasn't well trained. Then, my big draft gelding came home from training. He sat in the pasture for 6 months without being ridden...a friend of mine encouraged me to start riding him because he needed it and so did I since I was then too scared to ride. He helped me get back on by being calm, slow, and perfect. Without him, I may have never ridden again. However, he was a work horse, and only being lightly ridden on weekends. He was not happy. He lost weight, turned into an escape artist, and showed signs of depression. He had everything that he needed...space, grass, hay, grain, suppliments, vet visits, regular ferrier visits, ect. But, he got worse...and worse....It took me a year before I had to male the choice to rehome him. I didn't respect his emotional needs sooner. However, he went to a woman that provided him everything I did...but also, who put him to work. Ridden every day, pulling carriages, competing in shows and events. After only 3 months with her, he looked and acted like a whole different horse! I am blessed that she keeps in touch and kept me updated on him, and has offered to give him back to me should anything happen to her. It's a kind gesture. But, through this I learned the needs if animals beyond the physical, and to respect that as much as I would what to feed them.

So, to me, saying a snake 'loves' could be just as bad a situation I was in when I thought work horses were the same as any other horse. Boils down to respecting the individual animal.

I may feel more strongly about this than than others, so please excuse my extreme cases and long-winded examples.

CosmicOwl · 01-06-15, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eminart

Because it's a red flag that a person doesn't have any true understanding of the animal they're keeping/talking about. The first thing a person should understand when dealing with animals, is that they think like whichever animal they are. Applying human rationale to the behaviors of other animals is a recipe for failure.

While I believe this is true of reptiles, many mammals and birds are capable of building strong emotional bonds with humans.

**Minkness** · 01-06-15, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicOwl

While I believe this is true of reptiles, many mammals and birds are capable of building strong emotional bonds with humans.

Agreed! Howeber he did state that animals think like the animal they are. Aka, dogs more loyal, cats more independent, ect. They definitely can bond closely with humans, but snakes do not, and I think that's what they were trying to say =)

CosmicOwl · 01-06-15, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

Agreed! Howeber he did state that animals think like the animal they are. Aka, dogs more loyal, cats more independent, ect. They definitely can bond closely with humans, but snakes do not, and I think that's what they were trying to say =)

I know, I just felt like adding a bit more. Also, I've always found cat personalities to be similar to human personalities. Independent but social. We enjoy company and affection but also like our personal space. With the exception of my old cat of course. He is and always has been extremely affectionate. All he wants is to be loved and cuddled every second of his life.

**Minkness** · 01-02-15, 06:36 PM

Yup. People have told him multiple times.

As for retics, while beautiful, I don't know that they would be great for a beginner handler if only due to their size and unpredictability of their individual personality.

I would say the same for anacondas as well.

Just my 2 cents on it.

Kuamata · 01-02-15, 10:04 PM

I think people feel a need to mention that truth because some people may become of the mindset,"My reptile loves me, therefore would never hurt me." No matter how much you want to sugarcoat it, they are still wild animals with very strong instincts. If you held a retic when it hasn't eaten in a while, chances are you're probably going to get attacked. This is where it becomes very dangerous to think these kinds of things. They don't love you, the best you will ever get is that they become accustomed and tolerate your presence, but if they happen to be starving and you make the mistake of trying to cuddle that giant snake that 'loves' you, that snake isn't going to think twice about eating you, assuming you've made the even worse mistake of handling a giant alone. You should always have someone with you when holding giant snakes like retics, rock pythons, burmese, etc.

Additionally, I also agree they certainly aren't for beginners. A lot of time, care, and maintenance goes into them, not to mention they are very large, overpowering snakes(why backup is needed).