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SD/D Retic pythons size?

Sensay15

Sensay15

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Hello everyone my name is Adrian, and I have a simple question that I'm hoping to get an answer too without being ridiculed or bashed for, simply because I don't know.
Okay my question is how big do the dwarf or super dwarf retics get? I want to know because I have always wanted a big snake or at least a reticulated python, I love their character and demeanor. Only problem is their size, I know that their is a rule of thumb where anything over 8' long you need at least three people to handle the python. And I don't have any one besides my GF and that's still only two people. Therefore I'm hoping a dwarf or super dwarf can be a snake that both my GF and I can handle.

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My male SD is two years old and between 4 and 5 feet now.

I have two 50% SD het purple females that are a year old, both are a good bit shorter than my mainland tiger female.

Bear in mind that shorter doesn't always equal easier to handle. I have a purple mainland adult male who is easier to handle and less flighty than my SD. Also the food response on my SD is off the charts, if I'm not feeding him then I have to hook him when I open his enclosure. OTOH my purple male is well over 8', I can handle him alone if needed, and he's not likely to hit first and ask questions later assuming that everything that enters his enclosure is food.

If you're looking specifically for a pet then ask around for a high-percentage SD female, at least a year old, with a chill attitude.
 
bcr229 said:
My male SD is two years old and between 4 and 5 feet now.

I have two 50% SD het purple females that are a year old, both are a good bit shorter than my mainland tiger female.

Bear in mind that shorter doesn't always equal easier to handle. I have a purple mainland adult male who is easier to handle and less flighty than my SD. Also the food response on my SD is off the charts, if I'm not feeding him then I have to hook him when I open his enclosure. OTOH my purple male is well over 8', I can handle him alone if needed, and he's not likely to hit first and ask questions later assuming that everything that enters his enclosure is food.

If you're looking specifically for a pet then ask around for a high-percentage SD female, at least a year old, with a chill attitude.
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Thank you, and I am looking for a pet. By the way, I'm glad you pointed out that smaller doesn't mean easier to handle because I'll be honest I did think that would be the case. Therefore now I know better, but I can do it. Also when you say chill female, do you mean like start with a hatchling or juvenile or maybe even a sub-adult?
Thanks for the reply by the way. [emoji106] [emoji106]

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I mean one with a mellow attitude, and at least a year old so she would be long past any baby defensiveness or nippiness.
 
Sensay15 said:
Hello everyone my name is Adrian, and I have a simple question that I'm hoping to get an answer too without being ridiculed or bashed for, simply because I don't know.
Okay my question is how big do the dwarf or super dwarf retics get? I want to know because I have always wanted a big snake or at least a reticulated python, I love their character and demeanor. Only problem is their size, I know that their is a rule of thumb where anything over 8' long you need at least three people to handle the python. And I don't have any one besides my GF and that's still only two people. Therefore I'm hoping a dwarf or super dwarf can be a snake that both my GF and I can handle.

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Click to expand...

Hello there!

A mainland retic male will average areound the 14-16ft mark, while females will be in the 16-18 ft mark

A pure jamp(a dwarf locale) still has the ability to get around 16ft, while other locales of dwarf can be significantly smaller such as selayer isle locales, which are around 12-14ft.

While pure superdwarfs can be around 8-10ft.

As Melinda said, more often than not superdwarfs are going to be more flighty and "wiggly" than mainlands who for lack of better terms, are like honey badgers. They just don't care.

Dwarfs are a nice mix of the laid back attitude while still being on the smaller side. You need to search for high % dwarfs of the morph you're looking for, but with enough searching you'll find the perfect animal.
 
bcr229 said:
I mean one with a mellow attitude, and at least a year old so she would be long past any baby defensiveness or nippiness.
Click to expand...

I do disagree with this however. Normally baby retics aren't like baby burms. They aren't overly bitey, they're very inquisitive and curious even as babies.
 
Utta said:
I do disagree with this however. Normally baby retics aren't like baby burms. They aren't overly bitey, they're very inquisitive and curious even as babies.
Click to expand...
Perhaps it would have been better worded as individual defensiveness then. I know a few folks have babies that needed a lot of work to tame down, while other clutchmates were easy-going from the day they pipped.

I love the "honey badger" comparison, that describes my mainlands perfectly!
 
Utta said:
I do disagree with this however. Normally baby retics aren't like baby burms. They aren't overly bitey, they're very inquisitive and curious even as babies.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feed back, so would you say a 12'-14' (dwarf) snake is good for at least 2 people to handle or 1? Or should i stick with the 9'-10' (super dwarf) because although I say my GF will help me, i know its most likely going to be me by myself. And since the largest snake I have personally owned was 6'1/2" dumerils boa. I was able to feel the power in him. So I'm hoping with a larger snake to be able to have some control (if that is possible). Also so a yearling is a good choice to start with?

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Sensay15 said:
Thanks for the feed back, so would you say a 12'-14' (dwarf) snake is good for at least 2 people to handle or 1? Or should i stick with the 9'-10' (super dwarf) because although I say my GF will help me, i know its most likely going to be me by myself. And since the largest snake I have personally owned was 6'1/2" dumerils boa. I was able to feel the power in him. So I'm hoping with a larger snake to be able to have some control (if that is possible). Also so a yearling is a good choice to start with?

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Click to expand...

I've personally handled much larger snakes by myself. It's about knowing the animal and knowing how to handle it. It's also all about what you're comfortable with.

Personally I'd start with a baby.
 
Ohh i see that's true, thank you again, also very appreciative for your feedback.

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You have received very good advice from the others. I have had many of the retic locales over the years and agree that a slightly larger snake that is laid back, easy to handle and very trustworthy is a lot better than a smaller but flighty one. I highly recommend a baby male Selayer Island retic. They are very beautiful in color/pattern and usually very calm and trustworthy. Fed moderately a male Selayer will stay a very workable size. In dealing with any retic cancelling the feeding response is very important. Any time you open the cage except for feeding, touch the retic on the nose with a snake hook. Retics are smart and soon learn that the hook means no food is coming. This goes a long way in handling them. Bill
 
thesarge2014 said:
In dealing with any retic cancelling the feeding response is very important. Any time you open the cage except for feeding, touch the retic on the nose with a snake hook. Retics are smart and soon learn that the hook means no food is coming. This goes a long way in handling them. Bill
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LOL with my male SD I crack open the door, put the hook in, and he runs into it himself. No way would I just put my hand in there first!
 
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Hello everyone, just thought I should share that I finally got a Retic. 62.5% super dwarf lavender. All of your feedback in this thread helped me decide what was best. And I thank all of you.

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