17ft Jampea Retic

**millertime89** · 12-11-12, 10:37 AM

I've posted about these before but figured I would start a new thread. This is Jason (son of the late Jim, RIP) Gaspar's 17ft female Jampea locality reticulated python. While they normally top out between 10 and 14 ft, they can get bigger, much bigger.

iBaman · 12-11-12, 10:42 AM

bahaha, oh shane...the faces that boy can make. epic snake =]

**millertime89** · 12-11-12, 10:47 AM

Shane cracks me up. No floating epicness here though.
All of these pics are from Shane Costello (SCConstrictors) or Jake Klotz.

reptileexperts · 12-11-12, 11:50 AM

It's important to remember that the one cases is not always the norm. Let's consider how large mainlands get on average, 21 ft? Ok, and that one time, 33 ft? wow that's a huge difference!

Research specific to the Jampea retics have shown that in the wild and for the most part in captivity they reach 8-11 ft. They have been known to become monsters like this one that the Gaspar's have. But it's an oddity and just a "could be" result. Just like any mainland could potentially get to 30 ft, it's highly unlikely.

Dwarf Retics in captivity do contain the ability to grow to larger than "wild" specimens purely because of the amounts of food presented to them during their growing times. In the wild they still small due to being from an island with limited food. An interesting study showed that Jampea diet heavily on birds, and that their food intake mainly happens once a year. They will literally go with very little food during the non-breeding season, and as soon as the avian breeding season hits for the island and all the migratory birds flock in, these guys will go on a massive feeding rampage and consume large amounts in a short time holding them through the year.

I'm not saying that the Gaspar's power fed, over fed, or what not. But I am saying that under normal dwarf feeding conditions, a healthy, trim, jampea that is pure in locale, will not get over 11 ft for a female unless its from huge parents. Always remember Natural history is crucial to our understanding of snakes in captivity and should always be mentioned when we talk about locales, especially dwarf.

Cheers!

Lankyrob · 12-11-12, 12:23 PM

Nice snakes but newbies should note http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...ound-neck.html

**millertime89** · 12-11-12, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reptileexperts

It's important to remember that the one cases is not always the norm. Let's consider how large mainlands get on average, 21 ft? Ok, and that one time, 33 ft? wow that's a huge difference!

Research specific to the Jampea retics have shown that in the wild and for the most part in captivity they reach 8-11 ft. They have been known to become monsters like this one that the Gaspar's have. But it's an oddity and just a "could be" result. Just like any mainland could potentially get to 30 ft, it's highly unlikely.

Dwarf Retics in captivity do contain the ability to grow to larger than "wild" specimens purely because of the amounts of food presented to them during their growing times. In the wild they still small due to being from an island with limited food. An interesting study showed that Jampea diet heavily on birds, and that their food intake mainly happens once a year. They will literally go with very little food during the non-breeding season, and as soon as the avian breeding season hits for the island and all the migratory birds flock in, these guys will go on a massive feeding rampage and consume large amounts in a short time holding them through the year.

I'm not saying that the Gaspar's power fed, over fed, or what not. But I am saying that under normal dwarf feeding conditions, a healthy, trim, jampea that is pure in locale, will not get over 11 ft for a female unless its from huge parents. Always remember Natural history is crucial to our understanding of snakes in captivity and should always be mentioned when we talk about locales, especially dwarf.

Cheers!

I'm in no way implying this is normal (if it came across that way my apologies). I simply wanted to show that just because these are sometimes considered "dwarfs", they still sometimes have the potential to become quite large snakes. The Gaspar's feeding regimens have been duplicated and nobody else has had the same results. That said there have been several pure Jamp females that have grown larger than 11. I'm not sold on the larger ones only coming from big parents or from power feeding.

The study you speak of, is that the same study that lays out their taxonomic classification? I think it was Auliya, 2002.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Nice snakes but newbies should note http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...ound-neck.html

Notice multiple people in the area? Ever been around a snake this size? They tend to go where they want and all you can do is try and guide them.

reptileexperts · 12-11-12, 03:43 PM

Lol genetics are built on larger ones making larger ones. . . we see that in every living organism :-) And yes the study is the 2002 classification paper on reticulated pythons. Staple paper and a great resource I've mentioned numerous times because I believe that it is that important to know!

Miller, you should check out this weeks podcast from Radiolab - Inheritance. GREAT episode and really touches on so many of the principles in genetics!!

GUITARZAN509 · 12-11-12, 04:12 PM

Nice looking snake, guy in the hat isnt too smart leting it coil around his neck in the one pic, kind of like sticking your head in a lions mouth, just my .02

bushsnake · 12-11-12, 04:12 PM

i know Shane. Is this retic in Illinois?

Lankyrob · 12-11-12, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

Notice multiple people in the area? Ever been around a snake this size? They tend to go where they want and all you can do is try and guide them.

Yes, and Yes but never let it near mine or anyone elses neck

**millertime89** · 12-11-12, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reptileexperts

Lol genetics are built on larger ones making larger ones. . . we see that in every living organism :-) And yes the study is the 2002 classification paper on reticulated pythons. Staple paper and a great resource I've mentioned numerous times because I believe that it is that important to know!

Miller, you should check out this weeks podcast from Radiolab - Inheritance. GREAT episode and really touches on so many of the principles in genetics!!

Yeah I've read the study, I'll go back and do so again, I agree its a great paper that people interested in retics should read.
link? PM me if you want.