Reptile & Amphibian Forums

These seem to be a constant source of interest on the forum. Here is a picture of my male and one of my females. I've had them just over two years, they were adults when I got them. Never measured, but I'd put them at about 10'. They have VERY hearty appetites.
The male and one of the females was said to have been imported by Mike Wilbanks (I got it from someone who got it from Wilbanks, so no real proof), the other female is said to have come from Bob Clark. Again, that's what I was told, I make no claims either way. I think they are great animals, beautiful and responsive. They are pretty aggressive, especially in the cage, so I usually pull them out with a hook. For size comparison, the bowl beside these two is 9 1/2" across.
AndyV

Wow those are absolutly gorgeous!!! When it comes to Retics I could careless how aggressive they are! I'm working on getting pics of my trio up on the net. My male is at 10 1/2ft and calm as can be. My females are around 6-6 1/2 and 5-5 1/2 ft. My larger female is real calm while my smaller one is a total psycho in her cage. Once she comes out she's not bad (hasn't bitten me yet) Anyways keep the pics comming!
John

gorgeous snakes- i want one, hopefully i ll get one soon-

The light silver patterning is the main reason I began working with this locale, though the darker form is pretty I find the lighter ones to be more desireable, size attainment aside, they are a gorgeous retic. Its always good to see someone willing to lay temperments and attitude aside, and be able to enjoy the beauty of the animal alone.
I will also take this moment in order to provide clarification on the origin of my pair of Balis. I spent last week away helping a friend move, and since such, been playing catch up with other daily duties. Thank you to rob and shaun for their information and kind words in my absence.
My male Bali came to me from second hand from a seller who had picked it out of a shipment of CH Bali retics at the importers. He had decided to sell it when he could not get the animal to calm down. My intial attraction was for the light silver patterning, and sold black outline with the locale origin being known. He thought it to be a male, but told me if I wanted to probe it I had to do it myself. Despite consistent interaction, the males'patience of handling quickly wears thin, and he will begin striking and biting to this day. I knew of another Bali(F) that a friend had and decided to purchase the retic in hopes of attaining her.
The female Bali came from my friend Patrick, who had purchased her in another such instance of "tired of the attitude". She was sold to the previous owner as a "dwarf" locale yellowhead from Bali. Having desired a smaller retic he had purchased her but grown tired of her erupting out of the cage each time it was opened, regardless of heavy feeding. A slightly darker specimen, though not extremely, she has been in my known possession(Patrick and I) for 3.5 yrs now. She had been with the seller for around 1.5 yrs, and still despite heavy feeding has been slow in attaining additional length, though body mass is easily packed on. Her attitude is less than that of the males(though not entirely devoid, I lost 40% extension capability in my middle finger as a result of a bite later on). Luckily Pat was accepting of my offer and I had my pair of Balis.
As far as who bred them first I could care less about grandeur rights. I did not know of any other breedings, and posted that it was "to my knowledge the first US breeding". To those who bred them before me. Congratulations. They are a beautiful locale to work with, especially if adult size and caging space are neccessary factors in the purchase.
Notah

As Notah said, you have some AWESOME looking bali's!! VERY PRETTY, are you planning on breeding them?? Keep the pics comming.

Rob

Well, I'd certainly like them to breed, and am doing all that I know to not get in their way!
I have to say I overestimated their lengths. The first pic I put up was right before I cleaned the cage and pulled out the male. Holding them and giving a good estimate, they seem about 8', both
the male and the females. The photo attached shows a female in a 4' tray -- again, looks about 8'.
Thank you Notah Howe for your addition to this thread. Always interesting to read what attracted someone to a certain animal,
especially when they've had success with them. Fingers crossed,
maybe I can do the same this year.