considering a retic

[kuester]

I've never had anything larger than an adult red tail but i really love retics and have wanted one for a long time. I understand they're hungry and very intelligent snakes. I also understand hook training and that these giants demand the utmost respect due to size. I'm not afraid of them. And questions, comments, advice or concerns please don't hesitate to comment!

[amousley1]

Get a baby. You won't be overwhelmed by size and it won't be old enough to have any "baggage" from previous owners/handlers. Give it a couple days to settle in before really embarking on bonding time. It's less stressful for the snake. Watching the baby grow into a personality is the best thing ever.

[bcr229]

Obviously thanks to retics recently being added to the Lacey list you are stuck with in-state sellers. Fortunately you have three reputable breeders in Wisconsin: Vital Exotics, Gavin Bowe, and Salvador Veleta. Vital Exotics breeds dwarfs and SD's if you want a retic but not one that can get insanely big like a mainland or some of the other localities can.

[SnoopySnake]

If you've never had anything bigger than a redtail I'd definitely start with something super dwarf or dwarf. I know Vital Exotics works with SD/D, not sure about Gavin Bowe.

[Ballchris]

retics are very rewarding I made the jump very quickly do not have any regrets, my retic came from prehistoric pets, but as bcr already stated as of right now u are going to have to look into local breeders, i have spoken with the guy that owns vital exotics before the ban, heres to hoping may 7th goes well for us giant lovers and that injunction goes into effect so everything can go back to normal till usark can get this mess overturned, but back to the matter at hand, make sure you are ready for that size, food bill,ect they are great iv only had mine for couple of months now but like i said no regrets, if you think ur ready do it, and do tons of homework on them there is plenty of help here at ssnakess that will help you millertime is a great guy has helped me on more than one occasion and there are others good luck.

[kuester]

I know a person that has a 2 y/o 9ft male mainland retic thats very sweet and was cage aggressive but he worked the snake out of that and hes already hooked trained. Think thatd be a good start or no?

[millertime89]

You could definitely start with an SD or dwarf but you can go straight to a normal sized one and grow in your knowledge and abilities as a keeper as the snake grows. SDs can be flighty, but honestly I don't think they do a good job preparing you for the larger localities. A dwarf or dwarf cross is better, but they (in my experience) typically have the strongest feeding response and are the most cage defensive.

[kuester]

I have a 300g tank would that be big enough for an adult mainland? I really want one but i want to have the space too! I'd line to use the snake for modeling, would a retic or burmese be a better choice?

[millertime89]

Originally Posted by kuester

I have a 300g tank would that be big enough for an adult mainland? I really want one but i want to have the space too! I'd line to use the snake for modeling, would a retic or burmese be a better choice?

Yes, but I would sell it and buy a cage made specifically for snakes and pocket the difference. Those tanks aren't cheap and you would probably still have money left over. Fish tanks of that size suck to heat and honestly, a big retic can easily destroy the glass. For modeling a burm is the better choice as they generally are more likely to sit still and move more slowly.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Originally Posted by millertime89

Yes, but I would sell it and buy a cage made specifically for snakes and pocket the difference. Those tanks aren't cheap and you would probably still have money left over. Fish tanks of that size suck to heat and honestly, a big retic can easily destroy the glass. For modeling a burm is the better choice as they generally are more likely to sit still and move more slowly.

This. I've heard of retics either shattering the glass hitting it in a feeding response or pushing against the glass and breaking it. The aquariums you buy in pet stores are made from fragile glass, I can hear my garter's 20 gallon tank grinding just by squeezing it, I'm sure I could shatter it with enough force. Just don't want the cut up hands.

Also retics grow rather fast, I don't think even getting a baby will allow you to necessarily "grow with it." My girl has put on 30 grams in about 4 weeks even with just one meal due to a delayed shipment arrival and a tiny snack, whereas my BRB only put on 40 grams after 7 months. She's probably going to be 4'-5' at least by the time she turns 1, and my BCI was only 2.5' at a year old. So they have an insane growth rate. I just suggest getting help when it's full grown, like 1-3 people to help you with any task you may do with your giant for a safety measure. Feeding, watering, handling. Also because these guys can be difficult to handle alone.

[millertime89]

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

Also retics grow rather fast, I don't think even getting a baby will allow you to necessarily "grow with it." My girl has put on 30 grams in about 4 weeks even with just one meal due to a delayed shipment arrival and a tiny snack, whereas my BRB only put on 40 grams after 7 months. She's probably going to be 4'-5' at least by the time she turns 1, and my BCI was only 2.5' at a year old. So they have an insane growth rate. I just suggest getting help when it's full grown, like 1-3 people to help you with any task you may do with your giant for a safety measure. Feeding, watering, handling. Also because these guys can be difficult to handle alone.

If you're not power feeding it you can definitely grow with your snake.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Originally Posted by millertime89

If you're not power feeding it you can definitely grow with your snake.

I've seen people get rid of a snake that was 4'-5' because it was too big, and I believe a yearling retic will reach that size even conservatively fed. I guess it just depends on where people draw the line at where a snake starts getting "too big?"

[millertime89]

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

I guess it just depends on where people draw the line at where a snake starts getting "too big?"

This. If you think a 4 ft snake is "too big" then you're not ready for even a corn snake...

[dave himself]

I'm no expert and would never claim to be and can only talk from my personal experience. I've only had my retic for almost 2 years (this July). But people really need to think especially if they are getting a mainland just what they are bringing into their lives. My girl has not been power feed by any means and she's although she's not 2 years old until the end of this month she is already pushing the tape at 10+ foot and is at the minute in another growth spurt . When I first got her I could have fed her with my bare hands she was so gentle,but over a couple of months this was to quickly change. Her feeding response went off the charts to the point were most times I'm lucky to get the food into the viv before it's hit and wrapped off the end of the tongs, plus she seems to stay in what I call feed mode for longer than any other snake I've ever owned roughly around 24 hours. Another thing is how active she is she's always exploring trying to climbing up on things and the bigger she gets the higher she can reach. Now all this may sound like I'm complaining right ?. Wrong I love her and wouldn't be without her in fact if I could start over again I wouldn't have any burms I would just have retics, there is just something so special about these snakes the way they move and size they get to that fascinates me. Sorry for the long post but I just hope this helps some one

[kuester]

Wow thanks for all the responses! So for a first time giant snake would you recommend a burmese or retic?