baby western hognose not eating! please help!

[LiL Zap]

Originally Posted by kuester

I was told by the breeder to have a basking heat of 95 and cool side at 84. ive never fed a snake in its cage because I don't want to accidentally get bit trying to pick them up, I have aspen bedding and have no idea how to feed a snake in its cage. when I walk into the reptile room hes already hissing, puffing up and lunging(mouth closed) in random directions... which I feel means hes not secure in the cage. the breeder says if he doesn't eat within the next 7 days I will have to force feed with a pinkie pump, basically turning the pinkie into jam and forcing it down the snakes throat. however I want friendly snakes and I feel this process would contradict that. also snakes at this size/age should be eating about twice a week...

This is outdated information. You might as well feed your little guy in his enclosure. I've fed my snakes in enclosures and never got bit because of it.