Western Hognoses...

lolaophidia · 06-29-04, 06:25 PM

Ok, I couldn't resist any longer. These weird little snakes just grew on me and I had to get a pair. They just arrived today, and they are so different from any other snake I've had. I'll post pics of the pair once they're settled in and feeding, in a week or so. They're adults, the female's around 4 years old and the male's around 3 years old. She's already had one clutch of 15 eggs this season and may double clutch. She looks like she's still got pretty good weight and I'll feed her well just in case. Wish me luck and any pointers you'd like to share would be appreciated!
I've been reading up on these guys and I'm just amazed at the complexity of their defensive behaviours. Nature sure is a curious thing!

snakehunter · 06-30-04, 09:14 PM

Welcome to the world of hogs. I have a pair aswell, and they are a blast! I keep mine on about an inch and a half of aspen, this way i dont have to offer hides, Mine burrow like mad. My femal i never see, but the mal is always out. Iv had mine for about five months, and i am quite in tune to mine.

As for feeding the female has refused a number of times, but each hunger strike was about a week or so long, the male on the other hand was eating four pinks every four days, and now takes two hoppers every seven days, HE IS SUCH A PIG! If you have any questions dont hesitate to ask me, im always willing to help.

Check out hognose.com, Dennis Desmond sure knows his stuff.

lolaophidia · 07-01-04, 06:29 AM

Thanks for the reply! I've read everything on Hognose.com and anything else I could google up on the little critters. The pair are settling in, though while cleaning out the male's cage yesterday, he treated me to some serious hissing. So much noise coming out of such a small snake! Puts my 6 ft carpet python to shame! I'll pick up some aspen to give the two something to root around in (currently they're in quarantine on paper towels).
I'm sure I'll have questions once I start offering them food and especially if I end up with a clutch of eggs, so I appreciate the offer of help.

snakehunter · 07-02-04, 06:44 AM

How much did you pay for a pair like that? Breeder hogs, especially females are FEW AND FAR BETWEEN! Good luck.

lolaophidia · 07-02-04, 09:18 AM

I know! Breeder sized females are hard to come by, so when I saw a proven pair for sale, I didn't question the price on the pair(250.00) and responded same day to the ad. With hatchlings running between 50-100 a piece and no feeding guarantees, I figured it was worth it to get an established adult pair. Once I make my mind up on what I want, I watch the classifieds on 3 or 4 sites and WAIT till it shows up. I'd thought I'd wait till a show here in Richmond, but I haven't seen anything about one this year.

They're nothing fancy as far as coloration. The female is more buff yellowish color and the male is dark brown with a hint of green. Nice contrast, so they should make a variety of colors in a clutch. Even if they never breed again (which would be a shame!), they're so interesting I' know I'll enjoy keeping them. I really like the reds and albinos I've seen, so maybe an albino het is in my future- once I get this pair figured out!

snakehunter · 07-02-04, 07:59 PM

I got my red pair for 120, and they wher 7 months old. Its amazing how these guys grow, not too fast and not too slow, just barely noticable. The female is in my avatar, shes a nut, but starting to cool off.