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Dwarf Retic

F

filez41

Tom
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I recently got an adult female dwarf retic, she's under ten feet and not too thick around, but she's still the biggest snake I've ever owned. I'm comfortable with adult balls and boas and carpets, but this girl is a whole new ballgame for me.

Anyways, she's incredibly docile and friendly, but has a feeding response like no other which from what I have read is standard for dwarf retics. Anyways, like an idiot I took her out while the smell of food was in the room, and like you would expect, I got bit. Which is fine, I'm an idiot, I get bit, that's ok. However, she got stuck while biting my hand, so coiled around my arm, and I ended up having to help her mouth unlock from my hand, big bloody mess, traumatic for everyone, etc.

I have a large amount of respect for retics, and I'm not accustomed to having a pet that could take me down if she tried. she can generally be handled by one person since she's under 10 feet, but I was hoping to get some handling advice from people with larger snake experience. I want to make sure she doesnt associate her cage being opened with being fed, and I want to make sure I don't get bit again.

I'm really happy with her as a snake and pet, but I'm currently a little wary and jumpy and need to get back in the game. Any comments/tips/suggestions would help!
 
this works for me

I have several retics, none really big, but two are in the twelve foot range. As you found out when you add a couple feet of length you also add girth, they can really pack a punch. Sometimes when feeding they miss the prey and hit the next mammal -- me! It always hurts and can do some serious damage. If it is defensive it's grab and release, the feeding response bites have that grab, hold on, and coil. Then you have to wait for them to come off which can be mighty bloody.
I bought a pair of welders gloves from a hardware store for less than $20. There are ones made for animal handling but those cost a bit more. I just put on one glove and stick that hand in the cage. Sometimes they grab it but not often. If they don't I put the gloved hand in their face, then start pulling the snake out starting about half way down the body. This way the feeding response is over and they are generally cooperative.
I still observe the snake and act from that. If it is going crazy resisting being taken out of the cage I let it stay in. An angry six foot snake can give a good bite, a twelve foot one can rip you up. Also, be sure that no dogs or cats can come in the room. You know how they can be, sneaking in when you thought it would stay downstairs. I know if one of these snakes grabbed my cats that would be it, there is no way I could save the cat. So I shut them in the bathroom and close the snakeroom door.
Oh, I say welders gloves, a friend found a pair of "fireplace gloves" that were pretty much the same thing but cost less. You want a glove that comes most of the way up your forearm and is thick. I don't know if this would work with a larger, say 18'+ snake, but it has worked for me with the size you have.
Always, be careful ! !
 
I recommend a few things. When feeding, I introduce a f/t prey item into the enclosure on tongs. No hands come near the entrance...just long handled forceps and a rat on the end.

When handling, I introduce a snake hook into the enclosure and tap the snake before hooking the upper 1/3 of its body. This way, there's no mistaking me for food. I also do this when doing routine husbandry such as changing paper, water, etc..

I currently don't have any of the larger constrictors, but have kept retics up to 16'+. I do keep carpets up to 8' with some serious feeding responses. Do not underestimate this girl! She can kill you! Always feed and handle when someone else is home. Also, in the case of a bite, run her head under the faucet while turning up the temp. When it gets too warm, she'll release. Enjoy!
 
I took that for granted but shouldn't have

I completely agree with Mike, as would any sane person. Definitely use feeding tongs! When I mentioned them missing the food I didn't think to say that, but yes, yes, yes.
 
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