Got my first Western Hog *Pics*

[inv3ctiv3]

I've owned all kinds of snakes but I got my first hognose today from Micah @ Exquisite Reptiles and he's a male POS HET, his enclosure isn't fully set up I want to add some flat basking rocks (settled on the bottom of the cage so he can't burrow under them) and some sort of plants/leaves:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/16568743206_18f80cf523_b.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8619/15974949713_66128e5b3a_b.jpg

Peering out into his new home for the first time:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/15974949943_f5e3150eb7_b.jpg

[CrotalusR#1]

Nice! A fun species to work with.

[inv3ctiv3]

Nice! A fun species to work with.

They're no Crotalus but they're a cool non-hot snake that's for sure.

[Little Wise Owl]

Very nice looking Hog. They're fun snakes to keep.

[LISA127]

he is too cute!!

[Tsubaki]

What a beautiful little guy! :D

[FluffyGerbil]

Awesome pictures! He's way too cute, so not fair! Lol

[EL Ziggy]

Handsome hoggie.Congrats on the new addition.

[sharthun]

Handsome hoggie.Congrats on the new addition.

I agree! ^^^^^

[ThatPetPerson]

SOOO CUTE!!!!!!!! I love hogs! Hope you enjoy him!

[inv3ctiv3]

Thanks for all the comments! Gonna try and feed him this week, he ate right before he got shipped so I'll wait a couple more days

[inv3ctiv3]

A little update on Merle, he's a good eater and has been eating 1-2 fuzzies a week with no issues the only bummer is we almost never even get to see him....I added a hide rock a few weeks ago and he's almost always just in there and never comes out :( I've considered removing it so we can see him occasionally (that's the point right? haha) but I feel like he's less stressed with the hide rock and if I take it out he might stop eating....

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/16770824786_af88041ba3_o.jpg

[trailblazer295]

Cute snake, i think my next snake is a hog. I'm waiting to move so I'm holding out on an purchases but have a 24x24x12 with full equipment sitting empty

[reptiledude987]

Nice hoggie. They are on my short list as well. Do you plan on breeding it? just wondering because you said its a pos het which I know bumps up the price tag but isnt a visable trait.

[Joshchimera]

Nice Hognose, mine is a het for red phase. Great pictures!

[Sylphie]

Wow, beautiful little snake! And it's also a really nice enclosure, even though not very "seized" :D What substrate did you use here?

[inv3ctiv3]

Thanks everyone, he is a POS HET but I don't plan on breeding him, I got a great deal on him though so there was no price difference....This is his enclosure these days, that rock is hollow and he's always in it which kinda sucks because we literally never see him but I guess he probably isn't stressed because he's a vigorous eater?

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8708/16315329394_bbd769902c_b.jpg

[reptiledude987]

Very nice I'm always a fan of a good deal ;)

[Ballchris]

Great looking hoggie, thinking of adding one to the collection next year.

[inv3ctiv3]

Figured I'd bump this thread, took a couple of pics of Merle when I got home today. He's eating very well and super aggressive these days and was bluffing a lot today.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8820/16608778043_2a941aeca0_b.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5444/17203038516_09be3c61c9_b.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7645/17042803399_bda52f321a_b.jpg

[Rattlehead]

Man, I need a hoggie in my life! Cute critter you have there!

[Sylphie]

That first and third pics are great!

[eminart]

Very cool snake. I've been thinking about hoggies as well.

You might want to pick up the book, "The Art of Keeping Snakes" by Philippe De Vosjoli. He explains how a more naturalistic set up often makes the snakes more visible and active. In short, they don't feel totally exposed any time they're out of their hides due to the various plants and other features. He is advocating bioactive, but you probably wouldn't have to go that far if you're not into it. I think he even mentions western hogs as good display snakes in these set ups.

[inv3ctiv3]

He's actually out and very active these days, I think he was still in hibernation mode or something. He's pretty much out and looking around throughout the whole day now!

[Eggplant]

A little update on Merle, he's a good eater and has been eating 1-2 fuzzies a week with no issues the only bummer is we almost never even get to see him....I added a hide rock a few weeks ago and he's almost always just in there and never comes out :( I've considered removing it so we can see him occasionally (that's the point right? haha) but I feel like he's less stressed with the hide rock and if I take it out he might stop eating....

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/16770824786_af88041ba3_o.jpg

He looks adorable!

He might be scared to come out cause its so wide open out there. My hog used to hide a lot too but after I put in lots of plastic grass and some other branches and things, she likes to lounge around outside a lot more. Sometimes I even find here sleeping under patches of plastic leaves. I think she feels safe cause the viv is much more crowded now and there aren't really any open exposed spaces.

[acidonangles]

I don't want to be that person but sand can be bad for reptiles and can cause impaction. They love to burrow and I would suggest using aspen. Your little guy is adorable btw :) He seems quite the character.

[inv3ctiv3]

I don't want to be that person but sand can be bad for reptiles and can cause impaction. They love to burrow and I would suggest using aspen. Your little guy is adorable btw :) He seems quite the character.

That's not sand it's ground walnut shells.

[acidonangles]

That's not sand it's ground walnut shells.

Okay. Sorry for not knowing and thank you for telling me :] I wasn't sure so I'd rather say something and be wrong then for it to sand.