Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just wondering, if you had to make the choice between sticking 4 retics (2 males/2 females) in 2 cages, which would be better for juvi retics about 4-5 feet long: two males in one cage and two females in another or a male and a female in each cage? Am thinking of getting some more snakes, but I am quickly running out of descent cages. One cage is a 125 gallon, the other is a 75, by the way. Thanks a lot!

Cages first then snakes.
There is a difference between a neccessary choice (ie... cage breaks, malfunctions, and emergency dictates that you need to place the snake safely in with another only temporary) and the purposely wrong choice of exceeding your housing limits intentionally. If you know your out of cages, get some more before buying the snakes.

If anything silicon in a piece of laminate or plywood and seperate each of your giant aquariums into two smaller cages.

For your question of pairing. As a general rule, never put two male retics together, sexually mature or not its a not a good habit to even start.

Lastly its always wise to have a spare cage or two around for such instances of emergency housing, cage replacement/repair, or impulse buys. just be sure to replace it if you make a permanent collection choice.
-Notah

>>I was just wondering, if you had to make the choice between sticking 4 retics (2 males/2 females) in 2 cages, which would be better for juvi retics about 4-5 feet long: two males in one cage and two females in another or a male and a female in each cage? Am thinking of getting some more snakes, but I am quickly running out of descent cages. One cage is a 125 gallon, the other is a 75, by the way. Thanks a lot!

I would grow up and realize that I don't need more animals, and have no business obtaining any until I can provide proper housing.

"have no business obtaining any until I can provide proper housing."

Yes. Yes. Yes!

This is the bottom line. This is the truth.

Bill

Personally I would not consider housing two retics of any sex together at any age or size. There are too many problems that can arise over doing so. It is very difficult to feed two retics in the same cage. There have been times that during feeding one retic has eaten its cage mate by mistake. Housing two males together is a real NO NO! They might get along at first but once they reach maturity you are sure to have one or two snakes in need of costly vet care. That is if they do not kill each other.

Retics grow at a fast clip if you feed them properly. It seems you are find this out. If I were you I would concentrate on placing money aside each week to go towards new caging. I prefer Vision cages but there are several good brands that are available.

Thanks a lot for the advice Jim. I will definitely reconsider my plans. And Maroci . . . very mature and a lot of help, thanks!

Believe it or not all these guys mean well. I think after so many years of seeing abused and neglected pythons ending up in shelters and rescues or dead people tend to jump right to the extreme when somebody lacks apparent large python experience and their advice can come off sounding very harsh and extreme.

I personally feel that everybody with a genuine passion for reptiles has the ability to learn what is necessary to properly care for these magnificent giants. So just try to glean the positive content from any responses you get and strive to learn how to best care for these reptiles and I'm sure everything will fall into place for you.

The general consensus that it is best for every python to have it's own spacious cage is correct. Once one has considerable experience they can make educated decisions on any temporary need to house two non-breeding pythons together. But if you're new to it all try to err on the side of safety and simply provide each snake with it's own environment.

Feel free to email me personally if you ever have any specific questions pertaining to reptiles that you may be hesitant to post here in the forums.

Good luck with your snakes.
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David Beauchemin
High End Herps.Inc
http://HighEndHerps.com

Thank you David. That means a lot to me. I admit that I am new to this game, but I do have a passion for reptiles and I am trying to learn as much as I can every chance I get. Thank you for your help.

You're more than welcome. We all were there at one point but I think a lot of herpers tend to forget that little fact. But every herper on the planet at one point in their lives started with their first snake or their first lizard, and had to learn by way of hands on experience. I don't forget it and I am here 100% for my fellow herpers regardless of what level they are presently at. When I see a young person getting their first retic I say to myself, "That might just be the next huge retic breeder", etc. Because he or she just might. You never know.

Feel free to email or call me any time. My number is on our website.
Our Website

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David Beauchemin
High End Herps.Inc
http://HighEndHerps.com