I realize that this post has been responded to very well, but thought I would chime in as well.



"I understand that they can reach a slender 14 feet. At this size can they be handled alone by a sensible handler and are they a potential danger to life and limb?"



What do you consider slender? If you are talking compaired to a retic of burm, yes. But they are still are as girthy as a 1 liter bottle at that size.



Here is a pic of my large female barneck from none other than the Yasser man himself.





"At their full size do rats remain an appropriate food item or do they require something larger?"



I would say that my big girl would be ok on a maintenance diet of two colossal rats every two-four weeks. I also feed her chickens regularly which are very cheap to buy and raise to feeding size each year then freeze.



"What are their temperments like in general? ie once tamed and consistently handled are they pretty reliable?"



As with all snakes, it really depends on the individual. Reliable, I wouldn't say that...I have some that have yet to bite me, but just about every one has scared me at one time our another. Whether that be coming out of the cage four foot to snag a rat out of my hands, or just whipping around for no reason while being held, etc.



"How difficult are babies to tame compared with other snakes, etc..."



I have found them rather hard to hand tame with excessive handling, I think they tame better if you just leave them alone. They aren't a handling snake anyway really. They make much better display animals.



"How do you recommend feeding them as to prevent a dangerous feeding response?"



Most don't even need the food offered directly to them, you can get it in the cage however is least dangerous, and they will without a doubt find it and eat.



"What are the minimum enclosure measurements needed to keep a fully grown adult comfortable?"



I keep my biggest girl in a 48x30x18, she seems content, but a little more height would probably be used if offered.



"And I'm interested in anything else you'd consider useful."



I would check out www.spitfirereptiles and moreliapythons.com for more pics and info, or to just talk to more scrub keepers.


-----
Jim Kuroski



www.moreliapythons.com



_____



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