Retic? NO! - Page 2

**Tsubaki** · 01-04-17, 11:37 AM

Well, we will have to agree to disagree. I don't think an animal should be fed to the size you want it, it should be fed normally and grow to whatever size it gets. I strongly dislike powerfeeding / maintenance feeding. Retics grow big.. Dwarves still get pretty big ., if you can't handle it buy a superdwarf. It's that easy, they come in a multitude of sizes, no need to underfeed. Anyway, not to bash you or your animal, you're not who stunted him I'm sure you'll love him. Hope you update regularly because he is gorgeous! And I truly hope he doesn't have any health issues from being stunted.

MartinD · 01-04-17, 01:52 PM

Thanks Tsubaki, Its just that I wanted to make sure that I didn't end up with something 15ft or more. He will be fed the same as my other snakes are, thats every 14 days and fed with the appropriate size food, I can guarantee I won't allow him to go hungry or starve him, thats a promise.

**Tsubaki** · 01-04-17, 01:56 PM

Sounds good,

bigsnakegirl785 · 01-04-17, 06:56 PM

Conservatively feeding a snake doesn't keep it small, it causes it to grow at a slower more healthy rate. It does not make a snake stay small.

Maintenance feeding on the other hand, is purposely starving/underfeeding a snake to keep it small and is much different than conservatively feeding, as when conservatively feeding a snake they will still get enough food to thrive.

I agree with Tsubaki here and think maintenance feeding is highly unethical. There's nothing you can do about this snake's history, though. Just keep in mind if you don't continue to underfeed it for the rest of its life it can still get bigger.

MartinD · 01-05-17, 04:27 AM

Thanks for all your input guys and I agree with the Tsubaki and BSG that 'maintenance feeding is highly unethical'. The more I think about it the more I'm thinking of going for a proven SD and giving this guy a miss, because I've got a gut feeling that I can't shift. I normally go with my gut feelings, the only time I didn't listen to my gut feeling it nearly cost me my life, something is not right here and I can't get rid of the feeling.

I have just contacted the guy and told him I will take one of his proven SD retic's instead.

**Andy_G** · 01-05-17, 08:31 AM

Maintenance feeding used to be the term for when a breeder is feeding the hatchlings they produce enough to "maintain" them until sale for a very short term (a couple of months) so they can cut down on food costs and the potential customer can see lots of growth once they make their purchase...which is fine...but apparently that's not what it means anymore...oh how things change!

Although that is a very beautiful snake, I would have to agree with what the others said. You're probably making a wise decision going with an SD instead.

MartinD · 01-05-17, 05:08 PM

Well the outcome of today's actions is this little guy.
He's a Cb15 62.5% Super Dwarf Suntiger called 'Tigger', see named him already.
Thanks to everybody for your input to this thread, it was much appreciated and it helped me make my mind up and now I am over the moon at getting this guy.

Tigger.jpg

dave himself · 01-05-17, 05:19 PM

He's lovely mate and I think you made the right choice going for an SD, love the name by the way

MartinD · 01-05-17, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave himself

He's lovely mate and I think you made the right choice going for an SD, love the name by the way

Thanks Dave, I think I let my heart rule my head before and you lot helped me see that. Yes I decided on Tigger as I LOVE Winnie The Pooh and especially Tigger and I know my late wife would also agree.

SWDK · 01-05-17, 06:41 PM

Tigger is a great looking retic.

**EL Ziggy** · 01-05-17, 07:11 PM

Wow, awesome choice Martin! He's a super stunner! I really like the name too.

. I don't think I can resist the SD temptation much longer.

trailblazer295 · 01-05-17, 08:34 PM

Beautiful SD, definitely made the right choice. Unknowns with giant blood is risky. Even the term dwarf is misleading. Compared to a mainland sure but a 15ft snake is not exactly dwarfy. Best to stick with what you're confident you can handle. I believe a 62.5% SD male will probably be 7ftish give or take.

bigsnakegirl785 · 01-05-17, 10:17 PM

Yup I agree that if your goal was a small snake, the SD was the better choice. On the feeding schedule you mentioned earlier in the thread, the other retic could easily hit a growth spurt and attain a large size eventually, even if it took several years.

**Tsubaki** · 01-05-17, 11:03 PM

Beautiful SD!! Loving the full back stripe and the name

MartinD · 01-06-17, 04:29 AM

@SWDK - Thank you

@Ziggy - Thank you. Go for it mate, you know this is not a hobby but an addiction lol

@Trailblazer & BSG - Thank you both. Yes I mainly wanted a small snake because I live in a 2 bedroom ground floor flat and the 2nd bedroom is my snake room lol, so to have something 15-20ft running around would be a bit much.

@Tsubaki - Thank you, I love that stripe down the dorsal and being a suntiger and with me being a Winnie the Pooh fan it wasn't hard to choose a name lol