How many of you think....?

[RachelS.]

What do you think about teens keeping large retics? Here's a copy of a post I put on ks....

"If a teen keeper had enough experience and education with large boids and pythons I'm sure they would be able to keep a medium sized retic... and by medium sized I mean like a jampea or something that doesn't hit over 16 feet in length. The 18 - 20 footers are what scare me the most, even the 13 footers do. I have respect for such a large constrictor. These snakes can cost you your life!
But I would say, if a teen wanted a retic they should have kept a burm for about 3 - 5 year at the least and should have other experience with boas and other pythons. My parents don't mind the burm, but my mom gets a little freakish about how big it will get. My brothers are always like "whoa, that thing has grown since I last saw it... man, it's gonna get like 20 feet long!!" I just laugh. As long as the parent knows how big it's going to get and the kid has back-up I think it's fine if he knows what he's doing.
I'm going to buy a freezer for all the rabbits and rats, and mice and chicks I need to store up. My parents are thrilled I'm doing that, of course. I'm also saving up for 2 large vision cages... one for my burmese python and the other for my female boa constrictor (since my brother takes care of the male most of the time, I don't need to buy one for him). Now, wouldn't you say that's pretty responsible for a 14 year old?
But I also agree that there are others that just get the snake for it's size and not because they really think it CAN and MIGHT kill them. That's why I think younger keepers should keep the dwarfs and not the sulawesis and silvers, and normals.

Just my 0.02 ... hope this makes sense =)

~*Rachel*~"

[tightsqueeze]

well judging by your collection i would say you have the experience it is only "your size" and handling the larger snakes thats what i would question , how big are you ?
i am 5'10" 255 lbs and i still have competition manuvering and situating my friends 16 foot burmese of course once i have himn on my shoulders were i want him he just chills out and he is fine, it is only the intruduction that i would worry about if i was s smaller bodied person(no offence);)
but as for experience i think if you have the experience with snakes , like i mean at least helping to taske care of other peoples larger snakes then if you can handle them then sure go for it , BUT ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE SPOTTING YOU!! NO MATTER HOW BIG YOU ARE! that is a general rule of thumb!


anyways i hope this helps or encourages you ....good luck in your herping ..do you have any pics of your herps, i would like to see your cloumbian boas!!!



jay

[RachelS.]

<img src=http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/4743Im002474.jpg>

Hey tightsqueeze,

This post wasn't intended for me wanting a retic. I just wanted to see what people thought about teens keeping large constrictors such as these. Thank you for the comments anyway =). Do you still wanna know my height? lol...

As for the pictures, I have TONS!! I'm just now setting up a site to put them on. My last picture host was updated and the only way you would be able to view my photos was through email. But now that I'm going to use a different site, I'll be posting more pics that won't turn out small from resizing them to fit ks's freakin photo gallery!! Thanks for asking... look for my pics in a few days - a week or so =P.

[krrc]

I realy dont think they should.. (I'm 15) I have a burm but with the 100% backing of my dad and he will be there wile I hold it and I'm sure he will to. she is only a year old now. there are just to many things that can go wrong and it doesnt have to be your fault I just think is dagonous and I would never have my burm in my house by myself. thats how you make the news! (not that I expect anything to happen but if it did your screwed if you dont got anyone there.)

[Matt]

well said....anybody, of any age should always have 2 people present when coming in contact with a giant snake

[Corey Woods]

I got into burms at age 17 and I think I turned out alright.

Corey

[tightsqueeze]

well i have been around snakes and crocs all my life so i realy wouldn't know about what to say about a beginner o9r someone who hasn't had the experience that i have !

jay

[JasonBrennan]

I agree with the statement about having 2 people there. The only thing I would add is that the second person needs to be willing to get in there and help if needed. It does not do much good for a 14 year old to have a giant snake, and his only back up is his mother who is terrified of snakes!!

I think the decision about age is less important that the level of maturity that the teenager has.

[tightsqueeze]

well thats kind of obvious ...lol i don't mean the other person to be like your grandmother or someone ...lol
but thanks for clarafying that Jason if you have to handle a 10-22' snake then obviously you would get someone to spot you that can help you get out of a situation that could involve being wraped up by a very large snake....lol

thanks Jason ..lol im glad one of us is thinking to day i should have put that in my post


jay

[RachelS.]

Jason,

I have 3 older brothers, AND a dad that will back me up when I take my snake out. My mom used to keep a boa constrictor.. she's not terrified, just cautious. Plus my older brothers are at least 8 - 10 years older than me, with the exception of one being only 13 months older. And all work out... so I think I have things covered =). Thanks for the concern, but I definately know what I'm doing.

~*Rachel*~

[andrea]

i have a four year old girl and a three year old boy. they already handle our JCP, and will handle the burm when he has been here a month or so. we are very open with them about the pets. we also have a dog, a cat, and a rabbit and have had various other pets in the past including other cats, several birds, firebelly toads, tree frogs, you name it. by the time they are teens, they will know even more than i do at this moment about reptiles and other animals. my four year old has taken the JCP to preschool for show and tell. everyone is impressed at her knowledge and vocabulary regarding the animals. i have no problem with a teen owning one, as long as the parents are knowledgable and fully participate in guiding them and making sure they know what they are doing. i am 5'8 and , ahem wont tell how much i weigh, and i wont hold a fifteen foot snake while alone hehe

[Jezabel]

The problem I can see is a more general problem with petsown by teen. Will you have enought place, cash and time for them when you will not be in your parents house anymore? What will you do if you go to university far from where you live... Teens don't have alots of stability in their lives so. I see lots of people selling they reptile cause their situation change and they can't keep them anymore. But it's like every other animal, dogs, cats...

Also, it's nice for those that their parent are willing to pay for them but, will you have enought money to take care of it if your parent get tired of buying rabit of if they need to go to the vet $$$?

I just bought a house and I'm just stating to think to buy some bigger herps, mostly monitors. I would have never been able to keep one propely while I was in appartement.

[Dom]

Great posts and point JAzebel - could not of said it better myself!

I totally agree..

[RachelS.]

If your asking me Jezabel...

I'm going to a college that's 20 minutes away and living at home.

--Short answer... I've said this so many times and don't really wanna say the details again =\. Thanks for asking.

[JKUROSKI]

OK, not to raise an issue, well maybe...lol But how many of you that are giving opinions on who should or shouldn't own a retic has actually owned and handled one (Yearling+) on a daily basis. Where do you get your knowledge about what a retic is like to keep? From word of mouth or nightmarish horror stories? I've worked with my "TAME" retic for a week, and am begining to think that no one should own them. They get freaking huge, ****, urinate,deficate, and mess up thier cages everyday, eat you out of house and home, are quite prone to mood swings, can crush your forarms just trying to get comfy while you hold it. I love their looks, and think they are just amazing snakes, but as pets they take one hell of a commitment. Not many teens, or adults for that matter that I know would invest that much time to keep them properly. 30 years = 10950 cage cleaning, baths, possible times you risk your life. 1560 meals at up to $50 a piece. Just not the best thing out there. If you have your mind set on a retic, hold an adult or juvi for that matter. Help a friend, clean a 10 pound pile of ****. Then ask yourself do I want to do this every day? If the answer is still yes, and you have done the research, logged the hours as a helper, have addiquate backup, and the funds to house and feed it for the next 30 years....then by all means they are a rewarding animal to keep I'm sure!

[JasonBrennan]

Well, I have 2 retics, and one more comming (a tiger female). I am also looking for a 100% het albino female adult by the way (hint hint to anyone who has one they don't want!!), I also have 7 burms (heavier than retics at the same legnths, even if they are more "lazy" and laid back).

I know and agree with what you are saying about the cage cleaning. They are NOT for everyone. I look at it as being similar to giant dogs. Some people are more willing to over look the hassles of having an English Mastiff, while other people can barely keep up with a toy poodle. It is all a matter of dedication and knowing what you really, really want. That is why I say the maturity level is so much more important than a persons age when it comes to owning large snakes (any pet, for that matter)

By the way, one of my retics is a 7 year old, 15 ft male. So, yes I "know" about those piles of ***fecal matter***.

[stormyva]

Something else to consider (and this might open an entire other debate).... Why not look at adopting rather than buying one from a pet store. You sound like very mature and experienced for your age and must realize that there are a TON of unwanted large snakes. People dont realize how big they get and then either give them to a shelter or worse drop them somewhere.
Take a look at this site... you ought to be able to fine something close to you if you keep looking..... Pet Finder (http://www.petfinder.org)

[Jezabel]

RachelS: Those question was not for you but more like general question that teen should ask themselve before buying any animals :)