View Full Version : I feel cheated.
I went to my local vivarium to look into their hognoses and the guy was telling me that they start at 149$. I asked them if they were any particular morph and he said no, that they were normal hoggies. :shocked:
From what I've been reading (and correct me if I'm wrong), hoggies start at 50$ and go up from there depending on morph, age, sex, etc. I've found normals and albinos for much cheaper online than what this guy was asking for. Should they be that expensive? :suspicious:
They're having a reptile show next weekend and I'm holding out until then to see if maybe they'll have hogs available to buy there, but I was totally shocked that they would cost so much when I've found them for so much less online plus shipping. :hmm:
What is the appropriate price range for a hognose, and (should I not luck out at the reptile show) where can I find affordable hoggies for sale online? I'm not the richest person in the world (full-time student, single income) and I wouldn't mind having a normal pattern (sorry, dunno my morph terminology) hognose in my life, but I would prefer something a little different but affordable.
Any information would be appreciated. :blink:
PS. If any one knows of any hogs that are "special needs" PLEASE let me know! I would be more than willing to purchase them (at an affordable price >_>) and care for them. I have a soft spot for taking in malformed/special critters.
Tsubaki
08-06-16, 04:08 PM
149,- does seem steep for a normal hognose, i would think you could probably find cheaper ones if you keep looking... But.. Snakes are worth what people are willing to pay for them, if hogs are very hard to come by where you are it could be retail price i don't know. (They're getting more expensive around here, not many breeders)
I am curious however, have you kept in mind to set aside money for potential veterinary visits? Not to spook you at all, but if the unthinkable happens and your snake gets sick.. Usually specialized vets don't come cheap!
1 have you kept in mind to set aside money for potential veterinary visits?
Indeed I do! I work at an exotic vet clinic and visits are covered (free) and any treatment/meds are super discounted. So yes, I have a plan for all of my critters should anything go awry. CareCredit also helps. :laugh:
But yeah, I'm holding out hope that there are a few hogs out at the reptile show and that they aren't so expensive.
It really depends on your location and where you're buying from.
For example I paid 149.99$ plus tax for my first normal male hognose. He turned out to be a she but still a bit pricier than most available.
Hognose in Canada are way more expensive than the USA it seems. There are fewer breeders so prices stay higher I guess? Shipping to me from pretty much anywhere in the country runs from 100- 130 so that ads to the price for me as well.
I'd really suggest getting one from a breeder rather than a petstore and to make sure you're purchasing from a good breeder.
Good luck! They're a lot of fun.
I'm in San Francisco in California, so I dunno what the demand is up here, but the owner of the vivarium indicated that whenever he gets hogs they go quickly. So either he's just bumping up the price because he can, or they really are a pain in the butt to acquire.
Minkness
08-06-16, 04:41 PM
My 1st one was 60$ and is a normal red male. The other 4 I got pretty much free (small rehoming fee) as they were all rescues, all were underweight and one almost died of pneumonia. Soooo...vet expenses were a bit tough, but mine worked woth me sonce I did a 'mass rescue' (5 snakes in all from one person).
Depending on age and gender, 150$ isn't too steep in my opinion. A ready to breed female for instance, that's a steal, even for a normal. But a hatchling? Nope.....
I say wait for the show anyway. So much more fun to leave with a new baby than go and leave with something you shouldn't! Lol
I have a local store here that asks a bit much for most of their animals tbh. A 'normal' Brazilian rainbow boa just sold on friday for 225$ when I know where to get some for 100$ if I wanted to.
The thing is, when buying from a STORE, they have to paytl the asking price of the breeder and then make MORE just to sustain the store. So, I don't mind buying an over priced animal from my local store sometimes because they are a kickass store and I want them around for a while. So why not support them? Their animals are healthy, well cared for, ect, AND local so I get to get my eyes on the animal and know it's temperment and such. Buuuut....I have no issue buying from online from a more private breeder who knows wach of their animals on an individual level. Because of that I got a killer banana Mojave BP for a middle proce and he's AMAAAAAZING. Everything that the breeder promised!
Soooo....do what you feel is right, but keep in mind the logistics and financial politics of where you're buying from.
A breeder at a show may be desperate to unload a 'problem' snake for cheap (I experienced this personally and it turned into heart break). A store will have higher prices and not as reliable info, but no reason to lie to a customer. A breeder could fall on any range from desperate to get rid if, to more cold about it (just in it for the money and sells without a care of the animal or who they sell to) to awesome and engaged (like the guy I hot my previously mentioned BP).
Now that I have rambled, just do what you feel is right, but think about it as well. =)
Try looking at FaunaClassifieds.com
I found Cuddles there, and while some of the previous handling in my case was questionable, everything turned out all right.
But I also went with someone who was fairly new in the reviews.
If it really got bad you could also make a mention on the board of inquiry (BOI) and attempt to work it out there. However, they require a real name (and city/ state) in order keep track of people. To keep you honest. =)
My apologies to the admin if this mention to another site is inappropriate. Not familiar with the protocol for such.
Even in Canada that's a very steep price. 80-125 would be a fair price for a normal hatchling up here. Less there I'm sure. Keep looking around is my suggestion. The show will be a great place to find what you're looking for.
Keep an eye on craigslist... I saw one go by not to long ago...
Even in Canada that's a very steep price. 80-125 would be a fair price for a normal hatchling up here. Less there I'm sure. Keep looking around is my suggestion. The show will be a great place to find what you're looking for.
The hognose hatchling I bought was literally the only time I'd ever seen a hognose in person. New Brunswick just sucks for reptiles. Buying it was still cheaper than paying 80 + 120 shipping :(
But yeah, in the US you can definitely get hatchlings for way less than 150.
The hognose hatchling I bought was literally the only time I'd ever seen a hognose in person. New Brunswick just sucks for reptiles. Buying it was still cheaper than paying 80 + 120 shipping :(
But yeah, in the US you can definitely get hatchlings for way less than 150.
Oh I believe it. Ontario is where it's at for hognose availability.
SerpentineDream
08-06-16, 05:27 PM
For a normal baby hognose that seems steep. For an adult it sounds fairly reasonable for a male, and low for a female.
ThirteenRavens
08-06-16, 06:37 PM
Wowzer...I paid $50 for my guy who is normal het albino (50% I think) from a breeder at a local show.
Lol. Thanks for all the info, guys. I mean, I did plan on waiting until the reptile show (when I get paid) to get a hog anyway. If not AT the reptile show, then I'll have the means thereafter to get one at the local store, so I'll be ok regardless. Just got blown away by the cost.
That's definitely expensive for a normal hog, but it is pet store prices as well so that's to be expected I guess. If you'd like to gauge prices check out listings on fauna classified and kingsnake classified. You'll see tons for sale of all different morphs.
Wowzer...I paid $50 for my guy who is normal het albino (50% I think) from a breeder at a local show.
Decent price for a poss het!
If you'd like to gauge prices check out listings on fauna classified and kingsnake classified. You'll see tons for sale of all different morphs.
I did check out FaunaClassified and I found some pretty decently priced hogs. If all else fails next weekend I'll definitely be getting something from there.
Magdalen
08-07-16, 06:59 PM
Yeah if that's for a normal baby that's a rip off. I found in my area a pet store that carried a normal for 65. I don't know if it was a male or female. I ended up going with a local breeder and paying a little more for a nice red albino male year old. But he had normals for about the same price as that pet store. If you're in SF you should have no problem finding a better price. I'm in Sacramento, used to live in the bay area, so yeah not entirely unfamiliar with the area.
Wait for a show. You should have no problem finding one. I've found them at the Sac show. Something in your area, no problem.
macandchz
08-09-16, 09:07 AM
went to a reptile show on sunday and after reading your post, i paid attention to the hognose prices. cheapest baby one was $85.
East Bay Vivarium in Berkeley lists their price for hatchling normals at $90. You may get a better deal at the show (where EBV may be anyways). I know they breed theirs in house and are generally of high quality. I got my wonderful BRB from them last year.
went to a reptile show on sunday and after reading your post, i paid attention to the hognose prices. cheapest baby one was $85.
That's around the price I was looking. Hopefully there are some decently priced babies at the show.
East Bay Vivarium in Berkeley lists their price for hatchling normals at $90. You may get a better deal at the show (where EBV may be anyways). I know they breed theirs in house and are generally of high quality. I got my wonderful BRB from them last year.
I think the ones they had on hand when I went were not baby-babies, a little on the big side. EBV did say there were not bringing hognoses to the show, so I won't be stopping there this weekend. lol. And I think I would prefer an adult over a baby anyway. I feel like babies are too temperamental.
Aaron_S
08-10-16, 01:56 PM
One thing when talking about cheap prices is this quote...
“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” – Benjamin Franklin
Yes we all want a deal on our pets but at the end of the day $10 - $50 won't matter in the grand scheme of things. Cheap price should not be our first priority. Not saying anyone here is doing that but I wanted to point it out.
ThirteenRavens
08-11-16, 12:20 PM
Cheap price should not be our first priority
Agreed. I paid $50 from that breeder as I had purchased a couple of corns from him a year before :) I likely would've paid whatever for Hogwort because he's such a ham I couldn't resist lol.
Minkness
08-11-16, 01:19 PM
Yup. It's all supply and demand. Honestly the shop near me is off their rocker asking $300 for a normal yellow male juvie. He's been their for months and they won't budge on his price. But I can go on fauna and find tons of morph types for under $150. Just means that I won't buy that snake from that store lol. (Not that I am looking for another hoggie). They have alot of othwr more reasonably priced animals though, so it's not all a loss lol.
One thing when talking about cheap prices is this quote...
“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” – Benjamin Franklin
Yes we all want a deal on our pets but at the end of the day $10 - $50 won't matter in the grand scheme of things. Cheap price should not be our first priority. Not saying anyone here is doing that but I wanted to point it out.
So true. Looking for a fair price is much more favourable than looking for a cheap one for obvious reasons.
brandonh
08-12-16, 12:13 AM
I got my first hognose from a breeder in Col and it was 150$ + 50 shipping. It is a male red western hog 66% het albino so i think it alot of factors come into play for hognose prices. I also just went to a expo last sunday i seen them from 60$ to 300 depending on sex morph and age and of course the breeder.
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.