Reptile & Amphibian Forums

yea so i decided this next year i wanted something bigger.... right now my biggest is a 8' male red tail boa. Im debating on a burm, retic, or olive python..... eventually ill probably get all 3 but for now i can just pick 1. so what i was wondering is what do olives "top out" at? and which you would recommend for a first large snake?

I haven't kept Burms or retics for years. No interest in them anymore, although some of the color morphs are interesting in retics. My large male olive is about 25lbs and 11' long. I had a female that was over 30lbs. Olives will not get as big as retics or burms. There's always scrubs, but you better be able to dodge a fast striking mouth, lol
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1.0 Blackheaded pythons
2.4 Woma
3.2 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.3 Bloods
2.2 IJ Carpets
2.0 Coastal Carpets
1.3 Macklotts
1.2 F2 Carpondros
2.0 Jungle Carpet
1.0 Jag IJCP
0.1 Carpondro
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boas
1.1 Striped Bolivian Boas
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

see if i get a retic it will be a dwarf, but im leaning more towards a female olive python because i like the length and i love the solid color. i just came acrossed the albino olive and man thats top of the list...... Do you know anyone who like to buy a mildly used kidney? lol im pretty sure im going to go with an olive.... i just cant get over them!

I have no experience w/ retics or burms.. but I can tell you that olives are a lot of fun to work with.

Babies olives are still available.
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1.0 Blackheaded pythons
2.4 Woma
3.2 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.3 Bloods
2.2 IJ Carpets
2.0 Coastal Carpets
1.3 Macklotts
1.2 F2 Carpondros
2.0 Jungle Carpet
1.0 Jag IJCP
0.1 Carpondro
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boas
1.1 Striped Bolivian Boas
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I wasnt planning on it til summer but how much do they run?

From the times I've had them or seen them, about $500-600 each. Females are more than males.
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1.0 Blackheaded pythons
2.4 Woma
3.2 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.3 Bloods
2.2 IJ Carpets
2.0 Coastal Carpets
1.3 Macklotts
1.2 F2 Carpondros
2.0 Jungle Carpet
1.0 Jag IJCP
0.1 Carpondro
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boas
1.1 Striped Bolivian Boas
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

Ha! If you think you got it bad for olives now, just wait until you finally get one!

My personal hands-down favorite!

//Todd

Those are some really gorgeous snakes!

I wish I had the space (and budget) for one. Maybe some day.

I vote burm all the way but I may be a bit prejudice on the subject
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"Create then surpass your expectations"

Large, but no were near as heavy as burms or retics. I love mine, and wouldn't give them up for anything.

I would have to say retic. But then again I only keep retics. There is no better snake in my opinion however they are not for everyone. You need space, funds for large food items, and be prepared for a long term commitment. If you are willing to do that you will reap the rewards of keeping such wonderful giants.

Oh, and I would not suggest a smaller form (dwarf) for a first retic. They are more hyper and are harder to handle in my opinion. I have and breed Jampeas and that wear me out more then my large 250 female tiger or other large retics.

Jim

Myself, I'm getting into Bloods. Not as long, but plenty of mass! LOL
Impressive enough. I may eventually get a Scrub or a Dwarf Retic..

Matthew

i have a blood and so far my favorite..... laziest snake ever to exist! he was my first and way more tolerate of my "ive never held a snake" friends

Mine bit the dealer! ( Actually, my first died from possible IBD but I'll never be sure..) LOL He doesn't bite me, but has gotten plenty of attitude. Lazy in the tank, sure. But not out of it. Definitely more personality than a Ball Python.
Love these guys! But like you I yearn for one big, but not giant showpiece. Jampea Retic? Maybe..

Matthew

>>Mine bit the dealer! ( Actually, my first died from possible IBD but I'll never be sure..) LOL He doesn't bite me, but has gotten plenty of attitude. Lazy in the tank, sure. But not out of it. Definitely more personality than a Ball Python.
>> Love these guys! But like you I yearn for one big, but not giant showpiece. Jampea Retic? Maybe..
>>
>> Matthew

I got my blood python in march (couple years ago) and the dealer didnt check the weather even though i stated it was too cold.... he got here and man i could hear him hiss through the box! for the first week he struck at the cage when ever anything in the room moved and then he just settled and hasnt even hissed since. the most attitude i get is a little heavy breathing and he comes out just to sleep in my lap! lol yea but i want to get into something bigger but itll be a little bit.... i want everything figured out.

Jordan
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2.2 red tail boas
1.0 blood python
1.1 kenya sand boas

Jordan,

Mine is younger, I guess that is why he is all over my lap. Or maybe PO'd because I took him out of the water dish. BTW, these guys should be called Water pythons! Never saw a snake that liked soaking like these guys do. I hope its not bad for his skin. Actaully I'm more concerned when he sloshes water everywhere & the humidty jumps to 100%.
I'm also considering whether or not to take on another Python species or stick with Bloods for now..

Matthew

Mathew

the second he sees new fresh water hes all over it for about a hour and then hes done til i give him water again.... i love my blood. he doesnt tend to actually soak long at all and hates the sray bottle with a passion! its the only time i get to see him strike lol i definately have been looking for another blood but i want a morph of some kind..... been looking at the tigers right now. I wish i had the money for a matrix!
jordan
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2.2 red tail boas
1.0 blood python
1.1 kenya sand boas

Mine loves to soak. Especially, when in pre-shed. he shed today. In the water bowl, of course. Also made a horrible mess that I had to change all the papers. The cage is at 98% humidity now!
Never seen such a water loving snake. He has a hide, so its not that he hides in the water dish. Just likes sitting there. he is actually out-growing it.
Personally, I'm thinking Liasis for a next python or maybe a former Liasis, Leiopython albertissi. I love those guys!

Matthew

You can guess my preference judging by my username haha. But love the Olives, retics, and burms as well. Looking to get an Olive in the near future, along with many others to add to the collection.