Reticulated Python or Burmese Python?

[Joe M]

I don't like either snake in general. I think that the potential size is really the only reason why a lot of people like them. There are many other species I'd take before a burm or retic.

 

[Tramonte172]

If I have to stick to the survey I am partial to (but respectful of) retics. If I may add my own option I vote for a Carpet Python.

 

[Mavrick813]

Carpets are nice animals.

Mike

 

[Wiggles92]

I'm not a fan of the Dwarfs. I say if your going to do it, Do it all the way. But, be prepared.

Mike

Any reason for not liking the dwarfs? Is there a difference in their behavior or something?

I don't like either snake in general. I think that the potential size is really the only reason why a lot of people like them. There are many other species I'd take before a burm or retic.

I'm a fan of how they look plus I want something that's large (10' or larger).

I was reading an article by Bob Clark on retics, and, in said article, he points out that while they have the potential to reach extremely large sizes, they do not have to hit such lengths considering the fact that most breeding age wild retics are not the titans that come to mind when they are mentioned, but he also mentioned that they also consistently hit larger sizes than anacondas and boas.

Any suggestions on alternate large snakes?

If I have to stick to the survey I am partial to (but respectful of) retics. If I may add my own option I vote for a Carpet Python.

Carpets are nice animals.

Mike

Do you two think that caring for one might provide good experience in preparation for getting a retic or burm?

I like the look of carpets, but they're still pretty small. I want something bigger, but I like the look of them enough that I would still be up for getting one at least for just preparing myself for larger constrictors. Knowing me, I'd end up liking it after having it for a bit and would become quite attached to it.



Also, out of curiosity, do any of you have actual firsthand experience caring for one or both species of snake at an adult size? I would really like to hear about some of your experiences with these snakes.

 

[snakeguy101]

i am not a fan of big snakes but if you are, i would say go for a burm, they are more mellow and easy going than retics. It will be much better if you have never had a big snake before. they are more of a handful than you may think.

I don't like either snake in general. I think that the potential size is really the only reason why a lot of people like them. There are many other species I'd take before a burm or retic.

this x10

 

[Wiggles92]

i am not a fan of big snakes but if you are, i would say go for a burm, they are more mellow and easy going than retics. It will be much better if you have never had a big snake before. they are more of a handful than you may think.

I am anticipating whatever large snake that I end up going with to be a handful hence why I figured that I should get other opinions before making this endeavor rather than getting opinions after I buy the snake. To be honest, I see a large adult of either snake species as being more dangerous than some hot snakes. Sure, some hot snakes can have you dead within minutes or hours if you get bit, and it injects venom, but you still will probably not get physically overpowered by the snake as either of these snakes could once they hit a large enough size. Once it got big, I would be sure to always have someone right there when entering its enclosure for feeding, cleaning, handling, etc. in order to stay safe. I would also only enter the enclosure after ensuring that it was not in feeding/defense mode in order to keep the risk as low as possible. A bottle of rubbing alcohol would be kept right by the enclosure for getting the snake to release its grip should it ever latch on to me or someone else (hopefully me rather than someone else, but neither is better).

In the end, I would rather change my mind before getting it than after getting it since it's much easier on both myself and the snake to go about this slowly and surely rather than rushing out to get it. Like I said before, I have thought over this after doing some initial research, but I value other opinions, too.



Seems like there's a tie between retics and burms between the posts and the poll, but it seems like many of you say don't bother with either... I am open to suggestions for other large snakes, though, so please suggest away.

 

[Mavrick813]

Couple things about Dwarfs that I am leery about.

1. The Price. Nuff Said.
2. How does one know their a Dwarf until they've stopped growing?
3. Everything I've read on them says that their Spastic at best. Not so much biters, But real runners.

 

[Joe M]

I'm a fan of how they look plus I want something that's large (10' or larger).

I was reading an article by Bob Clark on retics, and, in said article, he points out that while they have the potential to reach extremely large sizes, they do not have to hit such lengths considering the fact that most breeding age wild retics are not the titans that come to mind when they are mentioned, but he also mentioned that they also consistently hit larger sizes than anacondas and boas.

Any suggestions on alternate large snakes?

To be honest, the only large snake that I have had and liked was an obese sunglow red tail. She was approximately 9 feet in length and weighed around 100 pounds.

One that I am really fond of, however, is the black headed python, Aspidites melanocephalus. They grow to large sizes, and are probably one of the best looking large snakes I have ever seen, including all morphs. It looks like a woma python with a black head (duh). They are also apparently very tame and rarely bite.

The major con with blackheads is the high price, but I have spoken to 2 people who are now breeding them in the US, so the price should drop soon. I held a 9 footer at the hamburg reptile show in February, and have been in love ever since. I was told by someone breeding them that he could sell me a baby female for $600 at the next show, so either me or my friend will probably have one soon.

 

[A. gigas]

Couple things about Dwarfs that I am leery about.

1. The Price. Nuff Said.
2. How does one know their a Dwarf until they've stopped growing?
3. Everything I've read on them says that their Spastic at best. Not so much biters, But real runners.

My Half dwarf is a sweetie when he's out of the cage. He's a bit hissy and stuff when you're picking him up, but then again that's not uncommon even in full sized burms. I got him for $250, which I think is a very good price considering how much you end up saving due to lowered food/caging/electric bills.

As far as how to know it is a dwarf, There are actually some very noticeable differences in both pattern and anatomy, mainly around the head as far as anatomy goes.

 

[Cichlid2011]

I like the Boa's myself.Had a Peruvian.