I just returned from another SE Asia trip and thought this might be interesting for retic enthusiasts. I also keep retics but not as many as I used to have. I am no different from any of you, the typical understanding for any enclosure would be quite bare lacking branches for arboreal behavior.

We found three small retics in two days, all in trees. I would imagine that the arboreal habits might diminish in adults as their sheer mass would limit how many trees could support their weight. However, in the jungle there are plenty of trees of all sizes to choose from so that could be false. Regardless, I found the behavior interesting as it was very consistent. All perched in trees, all dropped quickly once disturbed and fell significant distances into water below. Two of the three had recent meals but prey was round in shape so I am thinking birds as opposed to animals that would elongate once swallowed like fish, frogs, or most four-legged mammals.

I felt very privileged to have had this opportunity to interact with retics in the wild, despite the leeches, horse flies, mosquitos and other unpleasant things that come with trips into the jungle.

DM Exotics

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