The New Giant Snake Keeper Question and Answer thread! - Page 3

Samhain · #41 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LdyDrgn

*ideal* is really subject to interpretation.

It also depends on the adult size of the SD. Cage size will differ if the male maxes at 6 feet or at 8 feet... so I would say for either of these a 4x2 or 4x3 would work just fine.

Agreed. I wish I could bet my male to get 6ft though LOL he is just at 5ft and holding! Check out the fug with him!

fuglyfarmhand · #42 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 01:41 AM

Dumb question,
Do retics have light phases and dark phases like some boas?

Samhain · #43 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuglyfarmhand

Dumb question,
Do retics have light phases and dark phases like some boas?

Yes! most will change colors big time.

LdyDrgn · #44 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 01:56 AM

AAAHHHAHAHA!! Awesome Harry... how old is that "Little Guy"

fuglyfarmhand · #45 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samhain

Agreed. I wish I could bet my male to get 6ft though LOL he is just at 5ft and holding! Check out the fug with him!

I really liked that lil guy. He is soo cute and I thought he'd be flighty but was mellow as a chello

Alex · #46 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 02:07 AM

Thanks for both of the replies! What would you recommend for height, though? Would 2' be alright? What about 18"?

Katie M · #47 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morti

What I am about to say is at the Very Edge of the TOS.... I am bending the rules to the breaking point here.

There is only one guy who seems really into the african rock python hybrids. High End Herps - Hybrid Cateaters

Nobody seems to like him very much. While I would imagine it would be possible but difficult to breed a bateater with an afrock or a cateater with a retic, I can't imagine anybody except for maybe HighEndHerps who would want to. And if he's successful, I can't imagine that anyone would want one.

Me personally? If he were selling gold plated Platinum Black Eyed Leucy spider jungle retics (yes I just make a bunch of junk up) for $20 each, I don't think I would buy one.

thanks for that info - I'm pretty sure I wouldn't breed Tink (the afrock) unless the market really changed to accept so many babies. Although Tink is super friendly, the reputation and size makes them pretty hard to move, and I don't think I could sell such a snake for $70 and feel good about it (again, unless I had a long list of good, responsible keepers to own them). I was more curious what the pictures looked like.

Any small chance I had of even entertaining the idea is gone, with that info you provided. Thanks Morti - I don't want to end up flooding the market with snakes that no one wants.

I got Tinkerbelle, a CBB Afrock, for only $70 plus shipping - I can't justify bringing a ton more into the world that people see as a "cheap cool pet"

razeraze · #48 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 03:02 AM

Boaterr pigs should never be a staple diet due to the high fat content, retics in the wild only occasionally take pigs the diet majority is made up or rats and chickens. As far as the PH levels I severely doubt that is the cause simply because rain water ranges from 4-6 PH and river water can be better or worse with out killing every snake on the planet. But if we would rather address food here is some good reading material on PH levels in stomachs and intestine.
Feed Additives - Pigs
and compared to rabbits
Rabbit GI Physiology Article
The older the animal the stronger the stomach acid in it.

As far as the newbie who must have a retic despite having no experience or credibility, I would thoroughly explain about the danger and care needed to own these creatures and I would suggest they dig deep down in their heart and then adopt a giant because plenty of them are out there from others who rushed their own decision.

Now for my question. At work I deal with "troubled" kids. These kids poured bleach into a fish tank because they did not want to care for the fish. So without the cop out of "if you raise them right this will never be an issue", what would you do if you came home and your kids killed one of your reptiles?

boaterr · #49 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 03:11 AM

Im aware of the fat content for pigs and other problems with using them as feeders, I was asking my question to help out my friend.

razeraze · #50 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boaterr

Im aware of the fat content for pigs and other problems with using them as feeders, I was asking my question to help out my friend.

I am sorry I addressed the question with your friend in mind, I hope you will relay the message.

morti · #51 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razeraze

Now for my question. At work I deal with "troubled" kids. These kids poured bleach into a fish tank because they did not want to care for the fish. So without the cop out of "if you raise them right this will never be an issue", what would you do if you came home and your kids killed one of your reptiles?

I would seek professional help and counseling for the kids.

Remember: There is a link between childhood animal torture and serial killers:
The Link Between Animal Abuse and Serial Killers - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

AGActaeonia · #52 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 03:41 AM

This is, IMO, a groundbreaking thread. Very insightful.

It's always a treat to have you Morti, Ldydrgn, Samhain, Boaterr and Raze in one place at the same time. I've always found you guys to be full of such useful information.

Thank you for the start, Harry, and the rest of you for backing it so thoroughly. A really great read so far.

Samhain · #53 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LdyDrgn

AAAHHHAHAHA!! Awesome Harry... how old is that "Little Guy"

Thats PeeWee LOL He is 4 years old and pretty much done growing.

Samhain · #54 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Thanks for both of the replies! What would you recommend for height, though? Would 2' be alright? What about 18"?

18 inch works great thats what my 6fts are.

Sinthia · #55 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 04:23 AM

Is the lil guy fuglyfarm is holding the size adult SD's will typically get? I have always wondered that. Thanks!

STausch · #56 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 04:31 AM

I have a question as a new snake keeper! How do you all explain to friends and family (especially parents) that you plan to keep a snake or two, or eventually tons? I got my pair of corns a while back and my parents thought I was crazy, then I got a Dumerils boa and they got annoyed, now I rescued a red tail boa and they seemed to get angry. I live on my own so they have no just claim to be mad. I guess what I'm really asking is how do you get people to realize what amazing creatures these are?!?! I'm now at the stage where besides just owning I want to educate (?) those around me.

Sakara · #57 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 04:33 AM

show the snakes to them... give them FACTS and good information... some ppl will never change, but hopefully some will

Samhain · #58 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razeraze

As far as the newbie who must have a retic despite having no experience or credibility, I would thoroughly explain about the danger and care needed to own these creatures and I would suggest they dig deep down in their heart and then adopt a giant because plenty of them are out there from others who rushed their own decision.

I dont think I would tell a newb to adopt someone elses problems to be honest. A newb would have enough trouble starting with a baby without prior experence let alone an older animals to be larger and set in its ways. Retics are smart and abused ones are for only the most experinced keepers. So I gotta buck you on that one....

As far as the pigs I did not read this in a book this is from personal experince and others who have had the same thing. The PH is a theory and not writen in stone. I guess if you have never breed them before it would be hard to know the difference.

As for a child that kills a Reptile? A child would never be left in position to be near my snakes when I was not at home. I have some very dangerous Hots and Large snakes. I also agree with Morti on serious deep rooted issues.

fuglyfarmhand · #59 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razeraze

Now for my question. At work I deal with "troubled" kids. These kids poured bleach into a fish tank because they did not want to care for the fish. So without the cop out of "if you raise them right this will never be an issue", what would you do if you came home and your kids killed one of your reptiles?

It has happened. The teenagers (they were 7 and 9 at the time) turned on a heat lamp for the beardies. They over heated. The male died.
They were grounded and a long discussion about animal care. Needless to say they don't mess with the animals anymore.

As for the bleach in the fish tank. Counciling man. We've had koolaide dumped in before but that's the worst.

morti · #60 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STausch

I have a question as a new snake keeper! How do you all explain to friends and family (especially parents) that you plan to keep a snake or two, or eventually tons? I got my pair of corns a while back and my parents thought I was crazy, then I got a Dumerils boa and they got annoyed, now I rescued a red tail boa and they seemed to get angry. I live on my own so they have no just claim to be mad. I guess what I'm really asking is how do you get people to realize what amazing creatures these are?!?! I'm now at the stage where besides just owning I want to educate (?) those around me.

I don't know either, but when you figure it out, let me know. K?

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