feeding a hognose

sapphire_moon · 02-11-04, 09:12 AM

My hognose finally ate a f/t pink mouse. It didn't leave a lump though.
Can hognose stretch their jaws out like a BP or corn can?
I didn't see it eat, so I don't know how easy he took it down.

Thanks for the help!

snakehunter · 02-11-04, 01:19 PM

i would assume that they can, remember snakes are made to take large prey sizes if available, this is why they are so efficient

sapphire_moon · 02-11-04, 01:29 PM

Does anyone with a hognose feed larger or equal to the snakes girth?

HtotheB · 02-11-04, 04:48 PM

I feed mine hoppers that are equal or slightly greater than his girth. I have no concept of hognose jaw anatomy but from watching him eat I would say they can definately stretch it out considerably to take in larger prey.

Big_V · 02-11-04, 05:06 PM

Yeah they can take prey items that are about the girth of their body. They can stretch their jaws like other snakes but i wouldnt fed it anything too big. If this was its first meal get a few under its belt to make sure its doing okay then maybe increase the size of prey to a fuzzy mouse.
Cheers,
Ryan

Auskan · 02-11-04, 06:03 PM

I read one caresheet today that seemed very thorough and gave good advice in almost every area (it was at www.hognose.com), but the advice on feeding seemed surprising to me. It said to feed one pinky until the hognose (talking western hognose here) is about 6 months old, and then two pinkies between 6-12 months. I don't have a hognose, but based on my knowledge/experience of other snakes, this doesn't ring quite right. Wouldn't you still feed based on the size of the snake versus age? And wouldn't you still want to get them onto fuzzies for extra nutrition as early as possible?

sapphire_moon · 02-11-04, 07:33 PM

I know, I read that page to.

My hognose is about 6 months old. It has ate once with me. And I am seeing if it will eat tonight. I check on him every few hours and the pink is still there.

I hope he's not a problem feeder....