I think I want a BIG snake...

I'd just say always better off having two people around. and just know your snake. and if a retic is what u choose just remember they can always have a attitude shift. My 16 foot lavender I can get out anytime and never have a problem. My 9 foot normal some days shes fine some days she not. just hows she been since i got her. just know your snake. And be ready to be spending more on feeding, or try finding someone that can get u cheaper food. cost a bit more than a ball python will lol.

Thanks Ricky and Mike...should I go this route, it's definitely not something I'll take so lightly. I would imagine the food bill can get pretty high owning multiple retics/burms.

It's actually not all that bad. When young they can be a money pit, but at 10ft or so, you can cut back safely to the animal to every month-2months with a 2-3lb rabbit/g-pig/pig for anywhere from $1.50-$7.

Your timing may be VERY bad;

Make sure you see the new ban on 4 species of BIG snake at

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=297574

Originally Posted by Utta

It's actually not all that bad. When young they can be a money pit, but at 10ft or so, you can cut back safely to the animal to every month-2months with a 2-3lb rabbit/g-pig/pig for anywhere from $1.50-$7.

Thanks Tyler...food costs don't bother me so much, there are a lot of people local to me that breed/raise animals appropriate for feeding that aren't all that expensive.

Originally Posted by Helenthereef

Your timing may be VERY bad;

Make sure you see the new ban on 4 species of BIG snake at

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=297574

i did see that...guess I'll have to make up my mind before anything is enacted.

Originally Posted by RobNJ

i did see that...guess I'll have to make up my mind before anything is enacted.

It is rule now. No burms, rocks and yellow anacondas, if you want to get one of those species, would have to be from someone within your own home state.

It is expected to be published in the Federal Register in a matter of days....after that you have 60 days before interstate transport is prohibited. Buy!!!! Buy!!!! Buy!!!!
just kidding on that last part
http://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/Query...ase&Cache=True

ah thank you Harald for that, I wasn't aware there was a 'grace' period before it went fully into effect

Retics are great animals I have had a couple in the past and I am currently looking to get a couple. with one of mine i had when I was going to be in her enclosure just to get her out or for cleaning i would tap on the enclosurebefore i opened the door. If I was going to feed her I would not. Eventually it was like she understood if there was a tap she would not have that normal tic response to feed. But if I opened the door with out the tap she was ready to eat and you would know it lol. All in all I found that having a routine and doing the same thing each time helps out. One of my buddies rings a bell next to the cage of his tic when he feeds it lol

Looks like it will be a retic when I'm fully ready to get a big snake. With burms and rocks soon not being allowed to transport over state lines, they are likely not an option, as I'm not in a rush to bring one into my home. Anacondas have been illegal in Jersey for a while, so they were never really an option. I love the look of amethystines, and though they can get long, they are not truly a BIG snake. So I'll be devoting my homework time to retics, since that's really the only one left for me.