Western Hognose questions...

[Tigergenesis]

I've been told the Westerns are the best beginner Hognose. I plan to by captive bred. I'm considering getting a W. Hog, but have a few questions:

Are crushed walnut shells okay to use as a substrate? I plan to switch my Sand Boas to aspen, but right now I have some walnut shells to use up.

How difficult is it to get them to eat FT mice? I've heard they're easier than other hogs, but I'm wondering the likelihood of having problems.

How often should they be feed?

I've heard that they don't shed as often as other snakes - is this true?

I've also heard their feces are more runny and smelly than say...a Ball Python. Is this also true? Are their urates different as well?

I've read several online care sheets, but always like to hear from actual people and get their experiences. I just want to know what to expect.

Thanks!

[snakehunter]

Hey, Hogies are the best colubred in my eyes. I have two.

I have mine on aspen, I really recomend it, it allows them to burrow, and it holds tunels very well, so mine LOVE it they have tunels that go all over their enclosure, its SO cute!

I have had no prob with mine eating wise, both take f/t pinks about every 3 days or so, just remember to feed in another encloser. Put the pink in first so the smell prmiates the feeding bin, and they find it real quick. My snakes have an insane feeding response, and can down an appropriate size pink in about 5 min. it really amazing to watch.

They do not shed as often as other snakes because they are naturally S L O W growers! mine are about 7 months and alomst nine inches.

The only poo i find looks like bird poo, i dont notice a smell, but when aggrivated will musk, and that stinks to high heaven!

Some hoggies are REAL aggressive, my male is as docile as a corn or ball, but my female is a HEATHEN! if i walk buy her rubbermaid she will puff up and hiss and throw an absolute fit if i try to pick her up. But its all bluff, they almost never bite.

Good luck if you get one, they are truly magnificent creatures
-Jacob

If you have any questions PM me

[Tigergenesis]

thanks for your reply.

Another question, so how often should they be feed and how long do you wait after feeding to handle? Mind you I'm used to my Ball Python and Kenyan Sand Boa - I feed them each once every 7-10 days and give them 48-72 hours rest after eating.

[sapphire_moon]

I would say every 5-7 days, then once they are big enough every 7-10 days, I would wait 1-3 days to handle them, depending on the size of the prey item.

[snakehunter]

Most of the care sheets say every 5-7 days, but mine eat every three or so, so I say if they take it, they must want it or be hungry, so why not give it to them.

[Lrptls]

i have heard some hogs can be very picky eaters, and i had to experience it. my hog didn't eat for the first 5 months i had him. but i had lots of people give me suggestions and soon enough he was eating and went right to FT's. the first time he ate i had to make his cage dark, leave a very dead pinkie inside the cage with lizard maker on it. after a few times i stopd using the lizard maker, then stopd puting stuff on the cage to make it dark and now he eats the second he sees food.

[Tigergenesis]

Thanks everyone - I was more concerned about having to deal with feeding lizards, prey scented with toads, etc. But I think those were problems people with Easterns were having.

I've gone through similiar rituals as you Lrptls - with both my KSB and BP. Turns out the problem all along wasn't that I was using FT, but that even though they were thawed, my guys seem to want the food warmed also. I've experimented and my BP won't touch it unless the outside is warmed to at least 108 degrees - if it's over 114 degrees he'll strike from the tongs. I'm still trying to find the magic temp for my KSB - as I've only recently discovered he was the same way. I had assumed that since he lacked heat pits the prey's temp wouldn't be an issue. Talking with others (particularly owners of various colubrids), they've stumbled on the same thing - just another way they can be picky, I guess.

[Tigergenesis]

Any opinions on using the crushed walnut shells as a substrate?

[sapphire_moon]

I would think that crushed walnuts would be kind of harsh on them since they like to burrow alot. I personally use shredded aspen, the tunnel holds extremly well. I feed out of cage, IF he eats, lol.

[Tigergenesis]

Crushed Walnut Shells are made for burrowing. I use it for my Kenyan Sand Boas (as I know some breeders who do as well). I really didn't see an issue with using it for a hog, but was wondering if anyone else had. It smells nice and is very easy to clean. It is a bit heavier than aspen, but I've heard that at least kenyans enjoy a little weight on top of them for security.

[snakehunter]

Well zelda just pooed, and it did stink some, sure is squishy though, like bird poo.