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Hogsnake Questions

wstphal

working in the Gulag
There's a guy on the local CL .who has a western hogsnake for sale. What do I need to know about them before I make a decision? I know they are ~way cute~ but what are their care needs? Are they good eaters? Would one of them be happy to eat a rejected pinkie or 2? What questions should I ask the seller?
 
Are you talking about a hognose?
Hognose are fun little snakes. My first question would be whether or not it's eating f/t unscented mice. My little one is a great eater, but babies can be rather fussy, sometimes not eating pinkies, and preferring lizards or toads. They also love to burrow. I'm sure someone else will come along with several more tidbits to add on to what I've mentioned. I know DeadMouse has quite a few hoggies, and can answer any questions you may have.
 
@Robbie, yes, a hognose, my bad!

@danielle, right now I need a pinkie clean up crew. I plan to get a king down the road but right now Humphrey & Icabod never miss a meal. Attitude is supposed to be eating double pinks but sometimes skips the 2nd pink, and this is allegedly an adult hognose, so I wondered if it would eat those spare pinkies as snacks.
 
Are you talking about a hognose?
Hognose are fun little snakes. My first question would be whether or not it's eating f/t unscented mice. My little one is a great eater, but babies can be rather fussy, sometimes not eating pinkies, and preferring lizards or toads. They also love to burrow. I'm sure someone else will come along with several more tidbits to add on to what I've mentioned. I know DeadMouse has quite a few hoggies, and can answer any questions you may have.

Robbie is correct. Their husbandry is no different than a corn. same temps ect. Hogs are smaller than corns..avg about 2 feet. and can be had in many morphs! I do have a female that is a clean up mouse lover. but hatchlings can be tough to get going sometimes and require some lizard scenting... my 1.0 Albino and 0.2 het Albinos have another month left of brumation then I will be pairing them up. One Thing to remember if you breed Hoggies... females will eat their eggs after laying... so one needs to be on their toes come laying time!!
DSCN4283.jpg

DSCN4284.jpg


BTW Robbie...take good care of my new CS friend Timcorns in Fl!
 
WOW that last one is a chubby piggy! It's worth mentioning they are also rear-fanged and mildly venomous, but the general consensus is that unless you let them chew you or you're allergic, it's not an issue. VERY cute snakes, I'd go for it! But ask to see it's eating response first.
 
@Robbie, yes, a hognose, my bad!

@danielle, right now I need a pinkie clean up crew. I plan to get a king down the road but right now Humphrey & Icabod never miss a meal. Attitude is supposed to be eating double pinks but sometimes skips the 2nd pink, and this is allegedly an adult hognose, so I wondered if it would eat those spare pinkies as snacks.

Not likely. Hoggies can be a bit picky. Even the ones that are "good eaters" are not exactly what I would refer to as "garbage disposals". They are small snakes, so they justy don't eat that way.

BTW...has anyone mentioned to you yet that they are rear-fanged and mildly evnomous?
 
Not likely. Hoggies can be a bit picky. Even the ones that are "good eaters" are not exactly what I would refer to as "garbage disposals". They are small snakes, so they justy don't eat that way.

BTW...has anyone mentioned to you yet that they are rear-fanged and mildly evnomous?

I did know that, yeah & Pepper mentioned it. So don't let them chew on me, right?

So it won't be ~useful~ to me in pinkie disposal, but if it's a good eater, it will eat it's meals properly? I can check whether it is a reliable feeder with the would-be seller, who seems from the posting to know something about snakes.

I just think they are very cute, and the pictures posted by Old_School just add to how much cuteness I see.
 
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If you are looking for a "garbage disposal", your best bet would more than likely be a Kingsnake over a Western Hognose. This is not to say that some females won't pass an opportunity to scarf down a few leftovers, but as pointed out, Western Hognose are a smaller colubrid than Kings or Corns with females being significantly larger than males typically weighing in at 300-500 grams as adults whereas males rarely go over 150 grams. Males are also prone to going off of food for extended periods of time, especially during the mating season. Females are also prone to going off of food for several months, but I've found that to be only inbetween growth spurts when they are around 1-2 years old.

As far as husbandry goes, they can be kept in similiar conditions as most Kings and Corns. Some claim that Westerns like it a little bit hotter, but I think that is a bit subjective as I live in the Pacific Northwest where it's significantly cooler and I don't have any problems maintaining or breeding any of my Westerns in temperatures being slightly cooler than the "recommended" temperatures.

If you do end up getting into hognose, do keep in mind that they will occasionally go on hunger strikes, especially males, which can last between 1-4 months without any real ill effect on the snake as long as it's maintaining a proper body weight and it's husbandry conditions are being met to the animals satisfaction. But overall, you will find that Western Hognose are a very unique and personable snake which is why they are my favorite species to work with. :)

Hatchling (DOB 12/18/2009) playing dead:
wh_playing_dead.jpg


Some of our silly Albinos:
albino_hogs-3017.jpg


Female Superconda:
eating-01.jpg
 
My goodness, these are wonderful little beasties! On the 'someday' list for sure...but I'm not even sure I'm allowed to have them...I have yet to closely inspect my provinces bylaws. I know that some turtles, all venomous snakes and lizards are controled. I haven't looked up to see how strongly...or what counts as venomous.

Really, it sounds like you'll be able to care for it. Now the question: even if it doesn't 'earn its keep' so to speak by eating others leftovers, does it still hold an attraction? Or was the 'clean up crew' idea one you came up with as a sort of rationalization for getting a very cute snake? I personally do that alot...LOL...see something I want and then keep giving myself reasons to get it until I do. :D
If your ready, willing, and able...go bring home that new baby!
if not...i'm sure there will be others. :)

@Deadmouse
Thoes are some GREAT pics. I'm probably just going to sit and look at them for a while*sigh* someday i'll have a pretty little beasties just like that..lol.. That 'playing dead' pose is just BEGGING for a lol snake...
 
Thanks, DeadMouse! I will get a king at some point to play garbage disposal, I know that now, but since I about 99% sure I am going to get the hognose, I wondered if it would nibble up an extra pinkie now & then until the kingsnake arrives. Sounds like not, but I think hognoses are supercute, so I am going to call the CL guy.
 
Really, it sounds like you'll be able to care for it. Now the question: even if it doesn't 'earn its keep' so to speak by eating others leftovers, does it still hold an attraction? Or was the 'clean up crew' idea one you came up with as a sort of rationalization for getting a very cute snake? I personally do that alot...LOL...see something I want and then keep giving myself reasons to get it until I do. :D
If your ready, willing, and able...go bring home that new baby!
if not...i'm sure there will be others. :)

Rosie, the "clean up crew" thing was a rationalization all the way! :)
 
Rosie, the "clean up crew" thing was a rationalization all the way! :)

LOL.. I knew it!! Takes one to know one, I suppose... :rolleyes:
You should hear the reasons I'm comming up with to justify my most recent purchase...sheesh....its pretty pathetic. LOL

I cant wait to hear the final word on the topic, but it sounds like your leaning pretty hard twards getting it! I'm excited for new photos. :grin01:
 
Thanks, DeadMouse! I will get a king at some point to play garbage disposal, I know that now, but since I about 99% sure I am going to get the hognose, I wondered if it would nibble up an extra pinkie now & then until the kingsnake arrives. Sounds like not, but I think hognoses are supercute, so I am going to call the CL guy.

They're awesome little snakes. You won't be sorry you got it, I don't think. They are ultra cute, and very entertaining little creatures...

And the venom is considered harmless. Yes, you can have a reaction, and if you are susceptibnle to anaphyllaxis, you should use extra caution. But it isn't enough of a concern that it should stop you from enjoying them. I let my daughter play with out friend's hoggies, all the time. And she's only 5...
 
They're awesome little snakes. You won't be sorry you got it, I don't think. They are ultra cute, and very entertaining little creatures...

And the venom is considered harmless. Yes, you can have a reaction, and if you are susceptibnle to anaphyllaxis, you should use extra caution. But it isn't enough of a concern that it should stop you from enjoying them. I let my daughter play with out friend's hoggies, all the time. And she's only 5..
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I'm glad people are starting to see Hog venom for what it is..... Not pseudo cobra:roflmao:
Yes if your one of the unfortunate 1 in a 1000000000, you may turn up your toes, but wasps and bees have that chance as well....:rolleyes:
 
I'm glad people are starting to see Hog venom for what it is..... Not pseudo cobra:roflmao:
Yes if your one of the unfortunate 1 in a 1000000000, you may turn up your toes, but wasps and bees have that chance as well....:rolleyes:

Hey, that's not funny. There was a kid that died from a Lyre snake bite in LA county a few years back. I *think* it was LA county...don't remember for sure...

Anyhow...yea...1 in a bazillion chance, but if you are the one...whoooops!:sidestep:
 
Huh, my hoggie is an excellent garbage disposal. I guess she's unique. :) I always feed ehr last because she'll take anything the others turn down.
 
Yes if your one of the unfortunate 1 in a 1000000000, you may turn up your toes, but wasps and bees have that chance as well....:rolleyes:

Hognoses are rear-fanged, right? Like coral snakes? IIRC, coral snakes kinda have to chew on the prey to inject their venom. Same thing with a hognose? If my understanding is correct, I don't think I'm worried. Certainly not enough to stop me to get from getting a cute snake like one of these!
 
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