Hognose newbie with a few questions

[moonchild]

Hi everyone!

I am not new to snakes, but am currently snake-less. I am going to be getting a Western hognose next week, a species I've never kept before. From all I've read, they are fairly hardy and easy to care for...so I'm not exactly worried. However, I'm in the process of shopping for all the supplies I'll need, and wanted to get some input from more experienced keepers.

I have an 18" x 18" Exo Terra display tank. My additional will be a juvenile (~1 year old) male, and I'm told this is enough space for him.

Other items on my shopping list so far are:

- Thermostat

- Under tank heat mat/pad

- Aspen bedding

- Hide (x2)

- Water dish

What I'm undecided on so far is:

- Is aspen the best bedding, or should I consider Eco Earth instead?

- Should I also get a heat lamp in addition to the UTH? I've read that hoggies are diurnal, so I was thinking of using a 50 or 60 watt bulb for light and a bit of extra heat. I don't want the tank to overheat, though, since it's on the smaller side.

ALSO! Should I plan on feeding in a separate enclosure?

Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.

(P.S., I tried to include links to all of the items so anybody could point out better alternatives, but apparently I am not allowed to post links as a new member. :( )

[sharthun]

Hi everyone!

I am not new to snakes, but am currently snake-less. I am going to be getting a Western hognose next week, a species I've never kept before. From all I've read, they are fairly hardy and easy to care for...so I'm not exactly worried. However, I'm in the process of shopping for all the supplies I'll need, and wanted to get some input from more experienced keepers.

I have an 18" x 18" Exo Terra display tank. My additional will be a juvenile (~1 year old) male, and I'm told this is enough space for him.

Other items on my shopping list so far are:

- Thermostat

- Under tank heat mat/pad

- Aspen bedding

- Hide (x2)

- Water dish

What I'm undecided on so far is:

- Is aspen the best bedding, or should I consider Eco Earth instead?

- Should I also get a heat lamp in addition to the UTH? I've read that hoggies are diurnal, so I was thinking of using a 50 or 60 watt bulb for light and a bit of extra heat. I don't want the tank to overheat, though, since it's on the smaller side.

ALSO! Should I plan on feeding in a separate enclosure?

Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.

(P.S., I tried to include links to all of the items so anybody could point out better alternatives, but apparently I am not allowed to post links as a new member. :( )

Looks like you have a great start! I don't keep hoggies , but the heat pad with thermostat should be enough for a heat source. I don't think a heat lamp is needed. Aspen works great, hoggies are burrowing fools.You need at least 5 posts to include links and pics. Feed in their enclosure. Much easier on you and the snake! The hoggie keepers will chime in soon and correct me if i'm wrong lol;)

[nyjon]

I used plastic dog bowls from walmart ($3 each) and cut holes for their hides and a rubber maid container for their moist hides. For their moist hides i use 2-3 wet napkins and they last well over a week (but i change the napkins every weekend). I use the zoomed uth, 500r thermostats and thermometer. I zip tie the thermometer to the temperature probe on the thermostat to get the best temperature reading i can get.

X2 on feeding on their enclourae. Less stessfull on them :)

[moonchild]

Looks like you have a great start! I don't keep hoggies , but the heat pad with thermostat should be enough for a heat source. I don't think a heat lamp is needed. Aspen works great, hoggies are burrowing fools.You need at least 5 posts to include links and pics. Feed in their enclosure. Much easier on you and the snake! The hoggie keepers will chime in soon and correct me if i'm wrong lol;)

Thanks! Do you think he'd be happier with some sort of daytime lighting, since they are diurnal?

I always fed my previous snakes in their enclosures, and it worked out fine with my ball and my ETB...but I did have my kingsnake try to eat me once when I put my hand in the cage. Sounds silly, but it took forever to get him to let go and my hand was pretty chewed up. Not an experience I want to repeat if possible, haha.

I used plastic dog bowls from walmart ($3 each) and cut holes for their hides and a rubber maid container for their moist hides. For their moist hides i use 2-3 wet napkins and they last well over a week (but i change the napkins every weekend). I use the zoomed uth, 500r thermostats and thermometer. I zip tie the thermometer to the temperature probe on the thermostat to get the best temperature reading i can get.

X2 on feeding on their enclourae. Less stessfull on them :)

Thanks for the advice! So they do need a moist hide, eh? Do you keep it on the cool side of the tank?

[CK SandBoas]

The only lighting I use is basically the natural light that comes in through my windows during the day, and then when it gets dark, just the table lamps I use in the room. I use Aspen with my little guy, and he loves to burrow in it, as well as using the hides I provide him.

I also feed in the enclosure, and he just gently takes the pinky or fuzzy off the feeding tongs and starts to swallow it.

As for the moist hide, I place mine half on and half off the hot spot, and spray it daily to keep the moss moist...

[GUITARZAN509]

I keep my Mexican pair in 6 QT. plastic sweater boxes with Aspen bedding, your setup should work fine, only lightly spray their bed once in awhile, Hognose snakes like it dry not humid

[GUITARZAN509]

The only lighting I use is basically the natural light that comes in through my windows during the day, and then when it gets dark, just the table lamps I use in the room. I use Aspen with my little guy, and he loves to burrow in it, as well as using the hides I provide him.

I also feed in the enclosure, and he just gently takes the pinky or fuzzy off the feeding tongs and starts to swallow it.

As for the moist hide, I place mine half on and half off the hot spot, and spray it daily to keep the moss moist...
No, they don't need a moist hide, that's for Blood Pythons, BRB's ect
Keep them dry.

[Cmwells90]

If you don't like aspen, you can also use coco husk, it's holds water better, molds less, and still promotes burrowing, my corn snake loves it! As for the light, I would say that it wouldn't be required and may provide extra heat to the cage that's not needed. I also agree with feeding in the cage, it lets them keep their territory their own and leaves holding to just being held, so they don't think they're being fed when they're not. If you're worried about being bit when you get them out, get a snake hook. It's always a good idea to use a hook when getting your snake.

[moonchild]

Thanks for all the advice everyone; I decided to go with aspen, no heat lamp, and will feed in the cage. I just posted a new thread with photos.