Salutations, fellow ophiophiles!

mazzy · 02-18-12, 10:17 PM

Hello all! I just got into the reptile hobby and was pleased to find this forum had a large collection of hognose lovers. I've been an avid aquarist for many years, raising African clawed frogs, weather loaches, a violet goby, and a Polypterus senegalus. But this is my first snake, and I want to learn to be a good reptile momma.

Pleased to meetcha!

infernalis · 02-18-12, 10:27 PM

sSnakeSs.com - Rules

alessia55 · 02-18-12, 10:29 PM

Welcome! I'm glad you found us! Post pics of your hognose when you get a chance please!!

SpOoKy · 02-18-12, 10:40 PM

Hello and welcome

Yes pics please!

mazzy · 02-18-12, 10:51 PM

This is my sweet baby boy Quetzalcoatl. He's about 10 inches long, and I'm guessing about 9 months old (the breeder said he was 7 months, but I think he's a little older judging by his size). From all the research I've done on hoggie behavior, he's astoundingly tame. He hasn't hissed or flared once since he first arrived, and has no trouble eating.

My main concern is how his first shed will go in our dry climate...

alessia55 · 02-18-12, 10:52 PM

awww so wee tiny and cute!

Skumbo · 02-18-12, 10:59 PM

I love when people name pets after ancient deities! hes so cute!

if you're worried about his shed/humidity you can mist/spray his enclosure every once in a while to keep the humidity up, i believe hognose only need "regular" humidity (45-65%), nothing especially high

mazzy · 02-18-12, 11:21 PM

Thanks, Skumbo.

I had a hard time coming up with a name for him that wasn't negative in connotation. There are so many references to evil snakes, which is a real shame because they're really beautiful, sophisticated animals.

His substrate is coconut husk, which holds moisture well and allows him to tunnel to heights of bliss. I spray it down a few days a week so it doesn't completely dry out, and he has a large water dish that I've never seen him dip into. I assume he'll find it when he wants a soak.

From what I've read, the 50% range is good enough, but it's hard to tell for sure what it is in the cage since my cheapo hygrometer tends to read -10% most of the time. And it's on the cool side. We have a natural gas furnace, which I think contributes a little humidity, but other than that I think I'm just a nervous new parent that wants the best for her new pet.

Rogue628 · 02-18-12, 11:54 PM

Welcome to the family! Pretty hoggie you have there

Trent · 02-19-12, 12:00 AM

Hi and welcome!

jaleely · 02-19-12, 03:03 AM

Hi and welcome! There are a few of us hoggie lovers on here!! I was a total worrier when my baby went through his first shed. His attitude change so much and he was such a baby about it! lol

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/heter...shed-pics.html

Here's another link to some photos of my little boys! I'm saving up to get a green phase girl, if i can find one!

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/heter...-hognoses.html

Also Copper is the sweetest cutest little boy ever! However Perry hisses and flares every time he eats *lol* we fed him tonight and he just kept on hissing and flaring. He's in between sizes of food that we currently have, so he got two pinkies. He was sitting in the corner trying to act like he couldn't be seen...then he smelled it and started wriggling and he snatched it up. Sucked it on down, and when i put the second one in there, he hissed, flared, and then ate it super fast *lol* We're actually just trying to make him eat the last of the pinkies, and then we'll move him on up. He's had a shed, as well, so he's grown! I have his shed on my windowsill

He shed quickly with no issues, however Copper went on for a week or more and looked sad and miserable the whole time. No problems getting the shed off, but what a drama queen! : )