Maybe in a few years....

[bigsnakegirl785]

So I was thinking about getting a reticulated python in the next 3-5 years or so. I'm wondering how should I go about getting used to their behavior? Should I get a slightly aggressive snake or find someone who has one and work with them? I have watched videos and caresheets and read some things in passing that retic owners say on here, but I'd like to go more in depth. I've heard that SD retics are harder to manage than normals, is that true? Which would your recommend, an SD, dwarf or normal? I've heard about hook training them, any thoughts on that? Is and 8ft by 3ft by 3ft a good sized enclosure for an adult? That's what I've heard recommended by several people. Right now I know I am definitely not ready for a retic but I would like to get one at some point, so I'm gathering info now so I'll be ready later on. I think owning a retic would be a wonderful experience if I'm smart about it.

[stephanbakir]

For an adult retic sub 22 feet an 8 foot viv is fine. They are not more aggressive then any other snake, each one has its own attitude. They are however MUCH more active then the other giants.

Regarding size, get what works best for you.

Hook training is a must.

Any specific question?

[bigsnakegirl785]

Yes, what's the feeding schedules along it's life? How often do they need to be handled when young? What's the temps and humidity? I've seen people use hammocks for young retics, so I need something for them to climb on?

[Lankyrob]

I know with my medical conditions that a fulls size retic is a no no for me, but i would highly recommend an SD. Mine is docile as anythign until food is in teh equation. In terms of differences with oterh snakes i would say that mine is

easier to read - there are definite differences between feed and non feed mode
strong - mine has left bruising on my arms and hands with regular handling - no stress involved no reason for him to constrict just generally "holding on" to my arm has left noticeable bruising
active - he trashes his viv EVERY day - i give up putting it straight now as it last less than a couple of hours
inquisitive - he is the first snake to come to the glass when something happens in the living room, anyhting from us walking in to a new person arriving, a loud noise, the dog barking etc etc etc he will come to the glass for a look
trainable - he reacts IMMEDIATELY to the plate i feed him on - the others will come out to the plate to feed but he is there straight away as soon as the plate is visible. With hook training if i need to bother him and he is in feed mode i put the hook into the viv (i usually just reach in) and gently touch his head with it and he snaps out of feed mode so that i can then reach in with my bare hand and pick him up

[bigsnakegirl785]

And what are the approximate lengths that SD's, dwarfs and normals get? I know in the wild they get up to 33 ft, but what's the normal length in captivity?
Anybody know if you need a license to own one in Georgia? I plan on moving there in the next year or so, and I was looking at different sites but I didn't see them banning/restricting anything other than native species.
lol Lankyrob your retic sounds like my BP.

[stephanbakir]

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

And what are the approximate lengths that SD's, dwarfs and normals get? I know in the wild they get up to 33 ft, but what's the normal length in captivity?
Anybody know if you need a license to own one in Georgia? I plan on moving there in the next year or so, and I was looking at different sites but I didn't see them banning/restricting anything other than native species.
lol Lankyrob your retic sounds like my BP.

First of all, normals DO NOT get 33 feet, the world record breaking snake was fluffy who passed away at 25 feet, twinkie is also 25 feet and currently holds the record, Medusa (the farmer hick town idiot medusa) is about 23 feet and so is rosie, Medusa owned by Harry Wessles will soon claim the title, as the first 25 foot snake who isn't ridiculously obese, medusa is trim and a fantastic example of a retic.

Size depends on morph and locale, some locales like sulawesi's get massive, while other locales like bali, button, selayer, and a few others stay around the 16 foot range, and some like superdwarves max around 8 feet for females and 6 for males if you don't over feed them.

Keep in mind that there are no super dwarf morphs, all SD morphs are not 100% super dwarf and therefor get slightly larger-much larger then their actual superdwarf counterparts. That being said, if you breed a morph into a superdwarf enough times the offspring should stay quite small, because the offspring are high %age superdwarves.

[millertime89]

Just because it is a dwarf doesn't mean it will stay small. One owner of a Jampea locality dwarf has hit 18 feet, however it was powerfed. Most dwarfs never top 15 feet from my understanding, but that's still a big snake.

SDs are hit and miss whether they're flighty or not. The few that I've been around have been super docile and really calm, however that could be accounted to Travis (the breeder who owns them)

temps humidity: 80-85 ambient, 60-70% humidity

[bigsnakegirl785]

How common are the smaller locales? And price ranges? Is there anything else anyone thinks I should know about them other than the stuff that's been covered?

[millertime89]

they're pretty common, you just need to call various breeders and talk to them because most don't have dwarfs listed. Jamp and Selayer seem to be the most common, jamps can be handfuls and Selayers seem to throw awesome colors in offspring when bred with other morphs. Prices vary, there was a full grown Jamp on CL here a few weeks back for 400, but that in no way reflects breeders' prices.

[shaunyboy]

get yourself a carpet python,imo that would be a good stepping stone to a retic

it would get you used to handling a decent sized snake,that don't like fast hand movements etc

cheers shaun

[stephanbakir]

Yeh, dwarf pricing varries from 100$ a head to 600$ a head for babies, the only Locale I can tell you to avoid is Sulawesi, not only are most snakes sold as sulas not true sulas (they are rare) but they get MASSIVE.

Each snake has its own personality. My female is a doll, she never strikes or hisses and is pretty calm. My male is the spawn of satan, and my buddies male is calm as hell but you touch his head ANYWHERE and he will make you regret it.

Most CBB retics are nippy as babies, like any snake but give them a few weeks of gentle handling (don't put a snake away that just bit you till it calms down) and they calm down pretty well.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Yeah shauny I planned on getting a carpet first.

[shaunyboy]

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

Yeah shauny I planned on getting a carpet first.

must warn you carpets are very addictive,so you may end up with more than one

cheers shaun

[stephanbakir]

The only moralia I know of offhand that you should avoid as starter snakes are GTPs and Scrub pythons.
God I butchered that word, but I just got up sooo....

[bigsnakegirl785]

lol I know, I saw one at this small pet store and I was like "Mom! We're getting a carpet python next!" Nice tip stephan, I'll do that.