which snake...

[Tim Mead]

Keeping 1 type or species makes sense to us, We've made it a point to specialize in one small family..IMO if one has a large varied group theres some that get 2nd class treatment..

[leper65]

Another vote for the Western Hognose. They usually only get 18" to 24" long, are active in the day and have a good feeding response. Males sometimes fast in the spring, mine did this year from mid January to a few weeks ago. Mine always gives a good hissing and neck flattening display. Cool little snakes...and they aren't that pricey either, unless you go for an albino.

[Lolo76]

I'm also going to suggest getting a Hognose! I have 8 corn snakes and love them all, but the hoggie is unique from them without being too different... they stay quite small, generally have mellow temperaments, easy husbandry, eat like PIGS (at least mine does), and seem to like interacting with humans. My little Charlotte is a doll, and I love handling her - it's considerably easier than holding a squirmy corn, LOL. I'm enjoying Charlotte so much, I am considering a mate for her in a year or two.

Here's my girl:

[Lolo76]

Another vote for the Western Hognose. They usually only get 18" to 24" long, are active in the day and have a good feeding response. Males sometimes fast in the spring, mine did this year from mid January to a few weeks ago. Mine always gives a good hissing and neck flattening display. Cool little snakes...and they aren't that pricey either, unless you go for an albino.

Oh yeah, I should have mentioned how females are more consistent feeders... Charlotte is still just a baby, but so far has never refused a meal. She has quite an aggressive feeding response, even though I feed her thawed fuzzies. You'd think the mice were alive, the way she displays and devours them. Aside from feeding responses, she's only hissed and flattened at me once - when I woke her from a deep slumber, scaring her for a second. But she always settles down in my hands, and hasn't ever tried to bite or "strike" at me.

[leper65]

My male is 2 1/2 now, he never missed a meal until January. So maybe it's an adult thing...thinking about the ladies and all. He does bluff strike and head butted my hand once and the glass a few times but has never really tried to bite. A lot of personality...I may need to get him a lady friend for next year.

[CopperNightShade]

oooh I have been looking at the Western Hoggies too... can't get an Eastern or a Southern where I am.

What is the recommended temp gradient on a westie hog? So many sites disagree...

[leper65]

I have my hot side at 88-90, it drops a little at night to 84-85. I like the care sheet at Extreme Hogs best:

http://www.extremehogs.com/Caresheet.html

Here are some others:

http://www.hognose.com/

http://www.northwindreptiles.com/caresheets.htm

http://www.reptileallsorts.com/westhognose-cs.htm

[mommanessy247]

lolo76- i can see in the pic that that is a hognose but the pattern says rattler...to me at least. i've seen rattlers with that light tan on gray pattern. im not saying anything negative dont get me wrong, its pretty.

[mommanessy247]

leper65- the small pic you have under your name...is that a pic of a venomous snake? i thought only venomous snakes had that arrow shaped head, at least thats what i was told all throughout my childhood...the bulges at the back of the head are supposed to be venom sacs, or so i was told...am i wrong?

[Skiploder]

lolo76- i can see in the pic that that is a hognose but the pattern says rattler...to me at least. i've seen rattlers with that light tan on gray pattern. im not saying anything negative dont get me wrong, its pretty.

Maybe rattlers have hognose patterns - ever think of that?

It's a hognose, and leper's avatar is of a non-venomous snake - an amazon tree boa.