Toads for hognose

[philbyi-guy]

Hello, a while ago I was thinking of picking up a hognose, and my brother told me I shouldn't because he had read alot of things about them not doing will on just rodents because they are too fatty. I looked this up and I can't find anything that suggests that. Does anyone have any experience with that? Has anyone had a hognose snake through a full lifetime feeding only rats/mice? Thank you

[mrderson]

I have two hognoses myself and I feed them mice only. Everything I researched and everyone I have talked to feeds mice as well. Your brother might have been thinking about the fact that some hognoses need to have their mice scented with toads or tuna before they will eat, you can avoid this by making sure the hognose you buy has already been eating non-scented for the breeder.

I would recommend getting a hognose they are pretty low maintenance and have interesting personalities.

[philbyi-guy]

Originally Posted by mrderson

I have two hognoses myself and I feed them mice only. Everything I researched and everyone I have talked to feeds mice as well. Your brother might have been thinking about the fact that some hognoses need to have their mice scented with toads or tuna before they will eat, you can avoid this by making sure the hognose you buy has already been eating non-scented for the breeder.

I would recommend getting a hognose they are pretty low maintenance and have interesting personalities.

How long have you had them? He wasn't talking about scenting. We are both familiar with it, and he was talking about the fat content in rats causing shorter lifespans due to the fact that they evolved to eat toads. I'm just trying to find out if there is any truth behind it. I don't really think I'll be getting a hognose anytime soon. Its something I would like, but it is somewhat far down on the list. Behind a redfoot tortoise, and a half dwarf burm

[mrderson]

I have had them for almost three years, so I guess I can't really comment on fat in rodents resulting in shorter lifespans. There is probably someone else on here who has kept them longer that can give their input.
These quotes are from wikipedia
"For most hog nose snakes the bulk of their diet is made up by rodents, and lizards. H. platirhinos is an exception, and specializes in feeding on toads although other food items such as eggs, insects and mice can make up as much as 50% of their diet."
"H. nasicus are often considered to be the easiest to care for, and captive bred stock is easily found. H. platirhinos is also commonly found, but their dietary requirements can be a challenge for some keepers, and there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that feeding them a diet of exclusively rodents contributes to liver problems and a shortened life span."

If you trust wikipedia then the rodent nutrition problem only seems to be for eastern hognoses not western. I have never thought about this before so I am also interested in what other people know about this.

[LiL Zap]

Originally Posted by philbyi-guy

Hello, a while ago I was thinking of picking up a hognose, and my brother told me I shouldn't because he had read alot of things about them not doing will on just rodents because they are too fatty. I looked this up and I can't find anything that suggests that. Does anyone have any experience with that? Has anyone had a hognose snake through a full lifetime feeding only rats/mice? Thank you

My brother owns a western hognose and it's thriving on mice (pinkies). It's only a baby but so far, it's really healthy and nice. To be completely honest with you, whenever I meet someone who owns a hognose, they feed mice. I rarely hear people talk about how they feed their hoggies toads.

[Snakeguy5]

Originally Posted by philbyi-guy

Hello, a while ago I was thinking of picking up a hognose, and my brother told me I shouldn't because he had read alot of things about them not doing will on just rodents because they are too fatty. I looked this up and I can't find anything that suggests that. Does anyone have any experience with that? Has anyone had a hognose snake through a full lifetime feeding only rats/mice? Thank you

I've only heard that this is something that eastern hognoses might have problems with.

Westerns have no problems being fed only mice.

[philbyi-guy]

Originally Posted by Snakeguy5

I've only heard that this is something that eastern hognoses might have problems with.

Westerns have no problems being fed only mice.

How old are yours?

[Snakeguy5]

Originally Posted by philbyi-guy

How old are yours?

My westerns range from 8 months to 6+ years old.

I have not worked with any of the other Heterodon, but I have heard that mexican and southern hogs seem to do just fine on mice like the westerns. For Eastern hogs I have heard different things.

[potter545]

OK. I know what your talking about. Rats have a much higher fat content. There is not that issue with mice. Feed mice, not rats. At the same time rats can be good for a snake That's not full grown. I feed my corn a weanling and a rat fuzzy every week. I want to get a bit of extra fat content in there now. But anyways.....not an issue with mice. If there is a higher fat content, it's miniscule. Only reason hogs eat more amphibians is probably Cuz they are more available and easier to find in it's area.

[philbyi-guy]

Originally Posted by potter545

OK. I know what your talking about. Rats have a much higher fat content. There is not that issue with mice. Feed mice, not rats. At the same time rats can be good for a snake That's not full grown. I feed my corn a weanling and a rat fuzzy every week. I want to get a bit of extra fat content in there now. But anyways.....not an issue with mice. If there is a higher fat content, it's miniscule. Only reason hogs eat more amphibians is probably Cuz they are more available and easier to find in it's area.

Interesting. Besides personal experience, does anyone have proof of this?

[Tsubaki]

My hogs were fed on mice only, oldest one was a 11 year old female.

[philbyi-guy]

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

My hogs were fed on mice only, oldest one was a 11 year old female.

Awesome. At this point I think my brother was talking about easterns