Re: Live feeding and hognoses!
This is a popular question. Hognose snakes are a non-constricting snake that does eat their prey live. As I am sure you know in the wild they feed on mainly frogs and toads. These prey items do not require being constricted however they do need to be "popped". This term is used when they use their rear fangs to puncture the frog or toad. This is due to their defense mechanism of blowing up with air to be more difficult to swallow. The toxin in their Salvia is due to over years of eating these potentially toxic animals the hognose's body has begun to develop toxins of its own. It is not true venom as it is not delivered by venom glands and does not contain the volumes of toxins necessary. The toxic saliva is coming out of a salivary gland. Even though a venom glad is a modified salivary gland those of the hognose are not evolved to that point. So relying on the toxin to kill a prey animal is not advised.
All food offered to a hognose should be either unable to physically harm the snake, such as a pinky (rat or mouse), or should be pre-killed (frozen or fresh). Meals should not be to large also if you are feeding live. Too large of prey being swallowed can still move too much and damage the internal tissues of the hognose.
I always feed my hognose frozen thawed food. It is so much easier and safer eventhough it is not quite as exciting.
I hope this helps
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