Western Hognose?

[kc.exotics]

Ok, so I'm still trying to decide what type of snake to get. I looked at corns, balls, kings, and then I found out about hognose snakes. I find there stubby noses and way the hood up like a cobra very cute and interesting.

So I've done some research, about the husbandry and all that, but I couldn't find anything good or helpful on feeding. By that I mean, what size mice do hatchlings, juveniles and adults eat?

I read that a 20 gal long is sufficient for an adult. Is this true?

Any tips are appreciated

[Slim]

I've never kept them myself, but our very own Deborah should be along in a bit. She's a professional

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Ok, so I'm still trying to decide what type of snake to get. I looked at corns, balls, kings, and then I found out about hognose snakes. I find there stubby noses and way the hood up like a cobra very cute and interesting.

So I've done some research, about the husbandry and all that, but I couldn't find anything good or helpful on feeding. By that I mean, what size mice do hatchlings, juveniles and adults eat?

I read that a 20 gal long is sufficient for an adult. Is this true?

Any tips are appreciated

If you get an hatchling they typically eats pinky mice and move through sizes all the way to adult mice for Females. Now when it comes to feeding it is VERY important to understand their fast metabolism and the fact that at first the prey size involved is really meaningless which means they need to be offered food often (I feed my hatchlings every 3 days, Juvy every 5 days and Adults once a week). The reason I mention that is because over the years the main mistake I have seen from new owners is that the snake was not being fed frequently enough and therefore barely growing. If fed right you should expect a weight of 45/65 grams for a male that is 1 year old and 75/100 grams for a female that is 1 year old.

20 gallons will be plenty enough even for a large adult female, however if you get an hatchling it is important that you get something VERY small to house him in, 2.7 quarts tubs are ideal for hatchlings until they are 25 grams, than 6 quarts tubs until they are about 100 grams and after that you can switch them to their permanent enclosure.

If you get a Pet I would recommend a female, for various reasons the first one their size they get much bigger (males are VERY very small), second females are also less frustrating when it comes to feeding, males can be more prone to food refusal than females are.

Hogs are fun and nothing can beat that face