First question have you ever worked with one of the giants?

If you have to ask then no you shouldn't. :P

With any of the giant snakes, retics specifically though, it is definitely worth getting some hands on experience with them prior to owning. That is A LOT of snake to work with and they have an attitude like none other... not to say that they are mean and snappy, I have actually never met one like that, but they are intelligent and calculating and it really is like working with an animal entirely different from any other snake

 but they are intelligent and calculating and it really is like working with an animal entirely different from any other snake

I dont have any snaked but there is a retic at the shop back home that Ive handled since it was a juvy and he is a smart one and you have to pay attention.  So yea what was said if you have to ask then no you shouldnt, you could look at super dwarfs though they "stay" boa sized

Also consider the commitment involved. If you rent or move ever then you have BIG snake to deal with. The cages for them are huge and so is the risk involved with owning them. IMO better to start with a super dwarf or a burm. And the two person rule is one to live by. Boa owners don't always follow it, but with big snakes, it's your life. No question. 

I've been wanting a burm for quite some time now, but A) I move a lot and can't commit to that and B) I live alone or with people who wouldn't be of any help if something happened and C) I'm not exactly sure the rules of owning one in this state is. 

So, when I own my own house, know what the rules are and have someone always around while handling, I can get one. Until then, I can only dream.

While TRUE super dwarfs do stay quite a bit smaller it is not necessarily the best way to get experience with the species. Obviously you are not getting that same experience and handling a giant snake with coils all over place but their general personalities are also very different from most of the larger locals. Super dwarfs are known to be very flighty and much more twitchy than others. Although they will still have that certain retic intelligence.

I have a lavender albino female retic, who's currently 9ft. I wouldn't recommend it if you haven't had much hands on experience either. They are a lot of work, and A LOT of muscle. I always have my fiance around when I'm handling her, and even then, I'm careful with her. She's great, I love her to death.

I do move a lot too, but she goes where I go. I look for places where I can have her, and that's important to me. She's been through a lot in her life, she was a rescue, and I'm not going to let her down again.

Just think about it, and realize that it's a BIG committment.

If you have done your research and still want one go for it!

Probably not. If you own your own home and don't plan to move anywhere for awhile, if you've got enough money to feed a giant snake, if you've got a vet who will see a 15'+ snake, if you've got 2 people available who will help spot you every time you need to do anything in its enclosure when its giant, if you've got the space and money to build a very large enclosure for it, then maybe. Its not an animal that you can just offload in the classifieds if you decide you really don't want a giant snake around. They're fantastic animals, I absolutely love them, they're just definitely not for everyone.

I agree with all the above.  Honestly, if you're going to try your hand at a giant, start out with a burm.  We have a retic and although he's awesome, he slightly owns up to his name (Diablo).  They're very quick witted and smart like everyone else said.  They're a precise snake that needs lots of hands-on work and a lot of involvment, more than any of the snakes you have.  Even RTB's can be left for long periods of time without being handled and be the same sweet ole snake you knew 2 weeks ago.  Retics aren't so much like that.  I'd agree, if you have to ask yourself the question of whether you should get one or not, I'd say no.  If you know anybody that has a retic or a few go hang out with them and handle the animals to see what they're like.  They're personalities vary greatly.  I've met a lot of sweet retics, then I've met somet that aren't quite as nice.  Do your research and find some you can handle.  If you want a giant though, I'd reccomend a burm, but like mentioned above, you need to make sure you can house a 15+ foot snake and be able to afford either breeding or buying frozen rabbits for these guys along with having enough hands to help you clean the cage once they get that size, among other stuff.  Good luck :)

Naw, if you want a big snake start with a boa constrictor and keep it alive and healthy for five years minimum. Then if you still want a giant snake start researching and saving up the $$$$ it will cost to properly care for one throughout its life...also make out your will and be nice to your friends who will have to help you manage it when moving/cleaning/feeding/etc! They're not animals that can be cared for by one person working alone. And although many people can correctly keep them the fact is they are animals capable of killing you and deserve respect - not fear but respect that is due any creature that is capable of that.

OK LOL I just realized you have a red tail -- in that case the rest still goes though! And get some experience before buying!

I'm gonna go ahead and say everyone did a great job answering this.  I would say don't start off with a burm though, that's still in the "Big 4" and are going to get heavier than most retics.

There's a few steps to really responsibly owning one of these animals:

1- Research and A LOT of it
2- Getting HANDS ON experience with an adult(s), and A LOT of it.  This means cleaning up after them.  Not everyone wants to clean up 15lbs of crap and what seems like gallons of urine. 
3- Being financially stable and knowing your laws.  This means, know if you can even own one.  If it requires a license, get one.  If they are just completely banned in your state, then you're out of luck.  Don't break the law!  Know that you can keep the snake for the entirety of its life.  Have a place you can order rabbits from, BIG rabbits.  Have room (for an adult) for at least an 8' long enclosure, and no, not a glass tank.  At least 3-4' deep or more.  And be aware that large cages are expensive, even building them yourself.  A really nice cage is going to be around $500 with heat and lighting. 

That being said, then you're ready for a retic.  And if you still want a challenge, go to the next level.  African Rocks  ;)  Haha, but don't jump the gun. 

Retics are also waaaaaaaay to easy to get anymore...and being as beautiful as they are, they are super tempting to buy.  I see too many people who shouldn't have them, buying them.  Don't be that person and get your experience first!  Retics don't make anyone cooler than anyone else as well, keep that in mind.  (Some people take the "retic club" as some elitist cult...it's not...)

Good Luck.

Thanks everyone for replying. I would love to get experience with one of the big four. I have done quite a bit of research on both burms and retics, but I haven't got hands on experience, I'm the only one I know of in my area that keeps snakes, and I havent seen too many burms or retics at my local show. So I don't know how I'll be able to get hands on experience unless I actually purchase one. I don't want to be one of those irresponsible owners so I'm definately willing to care for it it's whole life, and properly too. I have also been looking in to male burms also and I would love to work and care for one. I've heard burms are more laid back than retics. All in all though, I want to gain experience with a burm or a retic.

Good luck to you, sounds like you're doing all the right things. Look around and see if there's somewhere within a hundred or so miles of you, and make it a point to volunteer there for a weekend. Even if it's a long drive, I promise it'd be worth it. :)

I have burms and retics.  As a starter "big" snake, I suggest a burm.

Where are you located? there are breeders and keepers all over the place so I'm sure you could find one somewhat close, it may take a bit of driving but it will be worth it to get the experience. Hell, I drive 3 hours to do my venomous mentoring...totally worth it.

I'm in Colorado Springs and the nexy Rocky Mountain Expo is on Feb. 2 so I'll be keeping a sharp eye out for some big snakes!! these snakes fascinate me and I think that it'll be a rewarding experience if I put in the effort( which I would do).

ahh the springs! I lived there years and years ago... im sure its much different now

I will keep my eyes and ears open for any giant keepers in that area.

Oh nice! Thank you so much! That'd be a big help!!

Can check out and see where rockymountain retics is and if you can go and volunteer there a bit

Ban the Big Nine...."should I can a Retic?"  doy!!

I would say... if you have to ask someone else that question..... then you shouldn't......  I worked with retics for over a decade..... they are ALOT of work..... males even though somewhat smaller....  can be a handful when they get breeding age......    Before even thinking of owning a retic you need to work with someone who has some adults....  aggressive adults .....  You need to be fully capable of working with an aggressive adult.... because there are no guarantees with these guys..... I've had retics be tame and suddenly turn into nasty adults......

i totaly agree. a retic's mood changes like the wind. this is just me but i would go with something with a little more stable temperment to start. possibly a burm. i had a burm that i took care of who was a lil brat as a baby but as she grew she melloed out a LOT. now i can have her out and sitting on the couch with me and she just relaxes....even when my boyfriend starts messing with her lol