So I’m kind of new here, and about to get a sibling pair of retics cause someone I know is going through something bad in life. One is just a GC but het purple, and the other is a GC Tiger Het Purple. So I could actually breed them together and get viable offspring as long as I don’t continue to breed the offspring together or back to parents?
So the problem with this pairing is actually that you would have two goldenchild parents having a litter. The super form of goldenchild is actually a lethal combination and causes massive brain issues and kinks and things of that nature. Animals that are super goldenchild tend to only live a couple of weeks (if they even develop) and if they survive longer than that, they usually die within a year or two.
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As @lumpy mentioned there are serious health issues that result from GC x GC pairings.
I don’t want to come off as rude, but why even consider pairing them in the first place? If these snakes are being taken in as a sort of “emergency” case then the main focus should really be the animal’s care, not breeding them…
Everyone has the opportunity to learn but if you didn’t have the knowledge that GCxGC pairings could lead to serious results then you really shouldn’t be having thoughts of breeding them in the first place until you gather plentiful knowledge about their morphs, traits and the species in general. This will prevent a lot of headache in the long run.
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I totally agree with Christina here. The pair of retics have already been displaced and are now considered “rescues”. As Christina said, the humane objective is to give these guys the best life possible instead of throwing them together to breed just for the sake of breeding without educating yourself on what morphs can and cannot be combined to begin with. The reptile market is saturated at the present time so introducing more into the market is not feasible.
If however you insist on breeding be prepared to introduce yourself to lots of hungry babies that need room and board. If they sell that’s great because if not your feeding cost is gonna rise as well as the cage maintenance including everything that goes with it. You will be morally, financially, and ethically responsible for any retic babies you purposely bring into this world. It’s a lot harder to place a retic than it is to place a corn……
Edit to add: And if you don’t already have a good reptile vet you’d better get one.
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I wasn’t talking about breeding anytime soon, I was saying in general. As these are just babies at the moment. Even if I can’t breed them, they have a home with me. I was honestly just curious and trying to learn what can and can’t hurt for down the line. I know I’m still learning about retics and their morphs. Thus, I ask these questions on posts that are already up so I can understand better.
I agree with everything said above. This is a concerning pairing because of the GC on both sides. If they don’t die in egg, the amount of super GC offspring that are born kinked or with facial deformities is high. Having a super GC hatch without issues is not really worth the risks.
Also… Are you simply babysitting these snakes until your friend is in better spaces? If they were not planning to breed them that would be rude to do to them. Or were you looking to eventually re-home them? Breeding rescues is a bit of a grey area. It’s not something I recommend.
I definitely think anyone planning on breeding should be doing research on the genetics is a MUST.
I do not recommend breeding direct siblings.
Especially since these are siblings with a problematic gene, you may be amplifying the risks of issues. Reptiles are less likely to show the problems of inbreeding as quickly as in birds or mammals… It gives a false sense of security. There can definitely be some polymorphic genes that can be there or genetic issues that would be more likely to happen like say an enlarged heart or other deformities.
Lastly…
Are you familiar with keeping and breeding Retics in general? These are animals with the potential to be dangerous if handled incorrectly or sold to a novice. That’s just something to consider. Especially when dealing with mainland sizes.
Even just an 8ft male almost sent me to urgent care because he hit a vein on a bite. Thankfully it was not where his teeth snagged, he only pricked it.
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I’m taking the snakes in, but not truly as a rescue. I’m still “buying” them (their babies born this year, the last of his clutch he had) as the guy is going through things and sold ALL of his snakes. As for handling and working with them, yes, I am familiar with retics (a non-morph adult) and burms as well. Though I stopped with the burms, another friend still breeds burms, though. I will admit I am new to the morphs, which is why I ask questions. I’m autistic, and it’s easier for me to understand things when someone explains it to me vs me just reading about it. Though I AM reading up on Retic Morphs. For breeding purposes, I am more used to Boas and their morphs. But I am learning and trying to devour anything I can on Retics and the Morphs they have. As well as upping my info on their Husbandry.
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Totally get it. If they’re selling them to you then it does make it a different situation. Also very glad to know about the experience. Some people really do just jump in with none…and a 20ft retic was just found in a dumpster with severe facial injuries where I live so it’s a bit of a sore spot for me ATM. I apologize.
I still don’t recommend breeding direct siblings, but I do understand that it is a thing some breeders still do. I have ‘line bred’ in the past, but direct siblings is still something I don’t recommend and haven’t done. Half siblings or something like parent to offspring would be at least getting some new genetics in and slightly less likely to cause inbreeding issues, but I still would recommend outcrossing especially when the genes are ones that are already established in the community.
I would maybe consider looking for someone selling a similar animal and trading to introduce a non-related bloodline or selling the male and purchasing one that would be better suited. I would recommend motley as it can still make a nice dark animal without the super GC risks. I say sell and purchase male because they would reach a mature age faster than if you sell the female.
Hope maybe that suggestion makes it a bit easier. =)
Edit to add:
I would also consider possibly a visual albino so that you have 100% guaranteed het for albino and not possible hets.
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To be honest, I would probably trade the male for a motley, because I want a darker morph if that makes sense. Though the albino way would be a good one too. Would I want to stick with the Purple phase or? Cause in Boas, you don’t want to breed different albino strains together. I mean, you “CAN” but they don’t work with each other. But I was really curious due to reading this chat, so I had to ask about it. As for that snake, yeah…Apples, I shared the story myself. Whoever had her didn’t take care of her at all. Especially with how bad her mouth rot was, my guess was horrible husbandry, seeing as how they could dump her like that. As for GC x GC, I may need to find another bit of info because nothing I had read so far said it would end up with issues due to creating a super. So I am honestly glad I asked and would love some links or names of books/authors on retics so I can learn more!
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Yes! Apples! Poor thing looks like a combo of bad husbandry mouthrot and probably damage from frantically trying to get out of a plastic oven.
It was hot here the past few days. That poor baby is lucky they were spotted by people who actually care
For albino Retics the Clark strain has 2 colors that are compatible, White and Purple. When bred together they will produce a Lavender albino. A lighter version of the Purple. The only downside is a Lav will produce 100% het white or purple offspring and you can’t tell which. So to keep it easy, I would look for a purple so you know it’s guaranteed het purple.
The Morphipedia here is a great resource for quick checks on morphs. Or if you’re looking at the list of reticulated python traits in the Market side you can click the little ‘i’ next to them for the info page on it.
https://www.morphmarket.com/morphpedia
As far as issues in general we also have a good thread to keep tabs on. Usually if anything comes up someone comments on it there or it will be updated if anyone heard word of a problem circulating among breeders.
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Thank you! Will definitely look into both, though in truth, as stunning as the albinos are. I really like the darker look some GCs carry, so my plan on breeding was honestly going to be a Motley carrying Phantom or Motley/Tiger with Phantom. But again, that’s going to be down the line a ways as they’re so young. This gives me time to look into the Morphs and Morph Issues.
Also, if I might ask, where does the Ocelot morph come into play with this list?
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Ocelot as far as I have seen looks to be pretty healthy. It’s still fairly new so I don’t know exactly how much has gone into things yet…
The worst I heard so far is maybe kinks but that may be something that gets better as it becomes a more outcrossed morph and new blood is mixed in.
Iirc, that’s how @inspirationexotics found an Ocelot for an education program
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As far as I’m aware, no issues are known with Ocelot, but to continue that it’s important to continue outcrossing them. I do have an ocelot morph retic who I will NOT be breeding, he is a pet only due to having some kind of fused scale grouping on his head.
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Ack! For some reason thought tail kink and not a scale issue. Opps!
My memory is like a colander sometimes.
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You guys are amazing here and have been so helpful already 
Thank you!
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We try!
Sometimes we start off a little strong cause most of the regulars here really do care about the animal’s wellbeing first and once things are sorted it’s a bit easier.
It’s always great to hear that someone is starting off with learning more about the genes and still waiting on pairing. I hope the new ones settle in with you well. It sounds like they’re still fairly young?
I actually picked up a pair of older Retic siblings myself and they’re fairly defensive because of the owner change. The new pair I’m raising to avoid breeding the siblings is such a different experience. They’re a great species.
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They’re beautiful 
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They are really nice! Retics are my dream bucket list snakes that I will never own. I did get the opportunity to “hold” an adult retic a few months ago. I quickly found out how incredibly strong they are. There were 2 other people helping me as well. This one wanted to keep moving. They are definitely not suitable to be kept by just anyone.
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