Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Any opinion is appreciated.

The most comprehensive summary of who and what it takes to handle a high maintenance reptilian pet was summarized in Greg Maxwell's book on keeping green tree pythons- perhaps you could ask him or someone else on chondroweb.com to copy the passage on this section-

Like chondros, Retics are a long term commitment. Additionally, they require a team and a never wavering giant snake protocol to manage safely in a private home. Whether cleaning, changing water bowls, feeding or just checking them out for handling etc. It is not something for a rugged individualist to enter into without their "team." You need spotters, etc.- after they get big- and they do get big!- You cant go out on a saturday night, get a good buz on and decide you are going to take out your aggro big female as you have worked up the nerve, and see if you can bond with her.- does this sound familiar to some of you?

You need to be dedicated, have enough long term financial resources for food, electricity, space, caging, legal lodging for the animals as well as the responsibility of caring for a large wild animal-

Winslow

What page is that? I have the book.

Excellent points Murdoch!!!

West: You are going about this in the right way by seeking information and I do commend you for that. Many will just buy a retic at a show and then ask "how big does it get-how do I take care of it-It bites when I reach into the cage?, etc." If you are committed to raising a retic and not getting rid of it as it grows and can provied proper food, caging, and care than that qualifys you for one. Again. large constrictor experience is invaluable. Do get a baby and grow with it. tigers can get huge. I hear that the Baldogos have an 18 foot male!

Find some one who owns an adult retic and spend some time there. Hanfle the snake, see it eat, and that will give you an idea what the future holds. Never handle an adult alone. Have at least one other person and two more is better-and have a plan and make sure your partners are well versed in large snakes and not afraid of them and won't run or panic. No matter how tame they seem, these are primitive creatures. I have a 16 foot female normal retic that is so tame you can handle her in shed. Would I handle her alone?-never! She is more than a match for two large men. Friends always want to see her eat. When they witness the fury of the feeding response and the powerful strike, they take a step back and say "that is scary". One final point to support Murdoch's wisdom: just as guns and alcohol/drugs don't mix-neither does large constrictors. Take care and best of luck-Bill

all of these guys make good points just wanted to add never smell of snake food around a large constritor if you have a dog or cat any fury animal at all get in the shower before you go into the snake room also that you need to have an emergency plan availble too a bottle of alcohol or a hot water source are invaluable in a giant constrictor room and i hate to even say this because i would never want to kill a snake but a knife in the room incase all other methods to get a snake to release fail you could have 2 or 3 other people in the room and they wouldnt be able to get the snake off of you if you did get constricted best thing is dont get constricted in the first place but even the most docile of giant constrictors can have a bad day so always be prepared