Can someone give me some info about Hognoses?

I've always wanted a Hognose snake and I've read alot about keeping them in captivity, but I want info from someone who has expierence with "hoggies".

Shoot, this isn't very reassuring. Are Hoggies even commonly kept? If they aren't, that explains a lot. The reason I want a Hoggy and not another kind of snake is because 1. My parents will only allow a Hoggy or any other snake that can fit in the 2',1',1' (if I typed it in the wrong order I meant from a horizontal veiw 2' wide, 1' long, and 1' high) tank that we have in the basement (we used to have fish) 2. I don't want something that "everybody" has (like a Corn. I'm not counting BPs but that wouldn't fit in the cage we have and we don't want to buy another one due to the cost). Plus Hoggies are attractive and one-of-a-kind (okay, three-of-a-kind) snakes.

We have one and she is great. What kind of info are you looking for?

My daughter has one and loves it. I think the big key is know who you are buying from as they can be difficult feeders. Ours was already on f/t pinky mice when I bought him. I really urge not to get one that was wc as they eat frogs in the wild and it is HARD to get them to switch if you can at all.

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Originally Posted by ffollett

We have one and she is great. What kind of info are you looking for?

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Any problems or issues I'll have to worry about.

First off I would stick with a western. Easterns are difficult if not impossible to get off frogs. The only other problem you may run into is not having a supply of pink mice. We had such a hard time finding them that I actually started producing them myself again.

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Originally Posted by ffollett

First off I would stick with a western. Easterns are difficult if not impossible to get off frogs. The only other problem you may run into is not having a supply of pink mice. We had such a hard time finding them that I actually started producing them myself again.

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For me this is pretty easy, I keep a ton of snakes so I order frozen mice of what ever size from rodent pro, though with one or two snakes this is a bit overkill.

My advice is most reptile shows have people selling frozen at them, go to one and pick up a 6 month or so supply. Mice are fine for up to just right at a year in the freezer before nutrition value stats to plummet.

Check your local yellow pages etc. I just met a local supplier of frozen mice at my last show that delivers. Minimum order for delivery is only 20 bucks! Unfortunately his mice literally REAK of urine so rodent pro still has my business for now, you may find a better local supplier and you will never know until you look,

most hogs will go on and off feed for no apparent reason... western's are the easiest ones because they take rodents no problem. just be ready to experiment if they stop eating. we have one that ate anything, now he only takes a white hopper mouse, laid perfectly at the opening of his hide so it's half in, half out... you can imagine how long it took me to get this regimen down :(
either way, they're nice to observe, handle, and photograph! definitely my favorite colubrid.

Check your state laws before purchase. A western hognose snake is a threatened native species in IL, so you would need to get a permit for it. (Even if you bought it from an out of state breeder).

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Originally Posted by Schlyne

Check your state laws before purchase. A western hognose snake is a threatened native species in IL, so you would need to get a permit for it. (Even if you bought it from an out of state breeder).

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Yes you sure do :D.