I feel cheated.

Kanadi · 08-06-16, 04:01 PM

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.

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?

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.

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.

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!

Kanadi · 08-06-16, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

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.

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.

valkea · 08-06-16, 04:29 PM

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.

Kanadi · 08-06-16, 04:34 PM

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. =)

REM955 · 08-06-16, 04:45 PM

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.

**Andy_G** · 08-06-16, 05:09 PM

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.

valkea · 08-06-16, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

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.

**Andy_G** · 08-06-16, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valkea

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.

sattva · 08-06-16, 05:11 PM

Keep an eye on craigslist... I saw one go by not to long ago...

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.

**Andy_G** · 08-06-16, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThirteenRavens

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!

Kanadi · 08-06-16, 08:03 PM

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.