eastern

[JTR]

does anyone know of any eastern hog breeders? I've spent some time looking and can't find anything, you would think with the variety of patterns these snakes would get more attention from breeders.

[JTR]

guess not

[Rapture]

I know some do exist but I don't know them by name. They are few and far between... I sold a guy a wild caught female some years ago... she was a pretty red one... but I don't remember his name. I would try looking in the Hognose Snakes forum at Kingsnake.com and ask around there.

[daniel1983]

There are a few eastern breeders out there.

Most people shy away from easterns due to their tendency to be picky eatters when young. Keeping a steady supply of feeder toads and constantly treating for parasites is not something most keepers are ready to deal with when westerns and mexicans are easily cared for.

Since they are a native US species so you also have to be aware of state laws concerning the keeping of them. Most states require a special license to sell and some states prohibit the keeping of them altogether.

I hatched out a group of babies from a WC female but could only get a few to take pinkies. Some wouldn't even eat toads and died. I put so much work into getting the few I still have eating that I woundn't even consider selling them.

Good luck in your searches though. Kingsnake.com's hognose forum is a good place to look for breeders....most do not post ads, so the best bet would be to wait around until someone posts hatchling pictures and shoot them a message to see if they have any available.

[RichardA]

I had some projects going with them, and I am actually working on some new breeding stock now.

Slow process with them sometimes though.

[Rapture]

Daniel I totally forgot about your babies. So you got some eating pinks? I've heard there is some debate on if a rodent diet is good for them?

[JTR]

i have a pair of het albino westerns, and they have been difficult feeders, but so much fun to have none the less. I've been looking on ks every night just to get a breeders name or site or something....no luck though. I would like to try a breeding project someday, understanding that it is difficult, but right now i dont even have a place to start. i saw a post from way earlier about someone hatching little easterns, so i thought it was worth a try to post and see if there were any owners/breeders that had some advice for me.

[RichardA]

Most all say no, no rodents, however I have known breeders to feed theirs rodents from day one with no probs......key is to not over feed them rodents. I have even talked with a vet about this, a herp vet, and he cannot find any reason why it would be negative either, unless you over feed them.

[daniel1983]

Daniel I totally forgot about your babies. So you got some eating pinks? I've heard there is some debate on if a rodent diet is good for them?

I got a few eating pinkies. The others died though various means. It has been quite a challange and one that I will not forget. I have alot more respect for those that keep 'specialist' eaters now.

From what I have read, the rodent diet issues are mostly myth. If you overfeed easterns, they can get fatty liver disease and die. As long as you remember not to cram them full of food....there is no problems. People forget snakes are different.....you can't feed easterns like you can some other colubrids.

[RichardA]

OH, and on feeding them.....I have only had I think one that would not ever take rodents, and it was a large adult WC. All the rest I switched, WC included. Westerns are easy to switch with a little trial and error. I found that using a Leopard frog scenter worked the best for both species.

Here are a few pics

Juvie




Adult