Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Would it be okay to keep a ball p for about a yr or two and then try my hand at a retic? Sorry I just like big snakes. Like someone else told me, its a complex. I like generally docile, large snakes. Ball pythons are cool snakes too, its just that i like large contrictors, and a retic is the coolest and best looking large contrictor. (Especially that tiger morph, whew)

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Retics are way different from bps! Even the tamest ones are aggressive at times. Did you ever see a retic in feeding mode? My advice, try a boa...

I'd say no, you're looking to get a retic for the wrong reasons.

DaveM

I really wouldn't recommend a ball python for a beginner. Yes they are extremely docile and mellow snakes that stay small however they are extremely vulnerable to stress and go off feed for months at a time. I would recommend a boa. Learn all you can from it. How to maintain its environment. How to adjust its temps and humidity level and how to handle it. Then I would suggest progressing towards a little more aggressive snake. Now I am not saying that retics are agressive as a rule but they can be and they do have an extreme feeding response that often leads to bites and situations that a novice should not get himself into. Try your hand with a amazon tree boa. They are relatively small but they have large teeth and can be quite defensive and moody. By keeping a snake like that for a while you will learn caution and respect. It is vital to have respect for an animal that can kill you. An amazon tree boa can't kill you but trust me. once you get bit by a large one you will learn proper techniques to avoid it in the future. It hurts. Take this to heart and work your way up to a retic. There are a lot of snakes out there that make a better choice to learn the basics with. Not the largerst snake in the world. Todd