Question from a soon-to-be hog owner

Thanks again for the great info! I'm considering emailing some of the vendors on the vendor list at the show we'll be attending to see if they will have any with them at the show (I'll prob. check them on the BOI first before contacting).

I'd like to stay in the $150 and under range, so we'll see what happens.

Artgecko

Sounds like a great plan!! Keep us posted on what you decide to bring home!

Thanks again everyone for your help!
While on vacation I stopped in a local petshop in Daytona that had good online reviews. Was a very impressive herp shop...bigger than anything in my home town. They had a range of BPs, and other snakes (retics, etc.) various geckos, beardies, even a Cuban rock iguana. I was somewhat disappointed by the owner's response when I told them I was considering a hognose. She said that she would never recommend one for a beginner and that they were venemous, etc..and that they were a poor choice because they were active (ie the docile BP would be better). I'm not sure if she was simply erring on the side of caution since she didn't know me or what, Thankfully my husband (who was there) wasn't put off by it and has more faith in my researching abilities than the advice of a random shop owner.

I was aware that hogs weren't a common recommended snake for beginners, but this lady seemed to think they were for "advanced" keepers and made them sound quite dangerous...Seeing as you guys actually own them I think I'll trust your opinions. ;)

That said, the trip wasn't a total waste, I picked up a screen lid and a climbing branch for my enclosure while there and got to see my first adult BP and a couple morphs (a lesser and a spider).

Artgecko

My two are puppy dogs. Friendly, curious, docile, all around easy snakes. I've heard the eggs require specific humidity and hatchlings sometimes don't eat without scenting which can be troublesome but have no first hand experience with either yet. For just keeping they're super easy.

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They are great little snakes. I know someone who got bit while hand feeding and they had a reaction to the mild venom. They were dizzy, vomiting, and their hand and arm blew up like a balloon for a few days and needed treatment at a hospital. Its rare that they would bite or even get you with their rear fangs, but 99.9% of people would have no reaction getting bit. Just know everyone reacts differently thats probably why that pet store did not sell them.

Thanks for your replies!

I've been in contact with a breeder that will be attending the show I'm going to and I am lining up a snake to pre-purchase and pick up at the show. The snake in question is a normal het albino male and is feeding on f/t pinkies and I've requested one with a good temperament, so I'm very optimistic at this point. :)

Artgecko

Male het hypo and supposedly "laid back". Picture belongs to the breeder. I'll be picking him up at the show Saturday. :)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...b7c5b1ebbe99c8

Aww he's so cute! Be sure to post up lots of pictures when you get him!! Congrats :)