Wont Eat!

[Jrl6130]

Hey guys! My cousin got an adorable hognose and it has not eaten for about a month!! :/ How do you guys feed your hognoses? and are there any ways to help make it want to eat?
Thanks!!

[reptileexperts]

How old is it? This is the time of year my adults go off of food for brumation. They start to pick up and eat again around March. They normally won't brumate until 2 years of age, or their 2nd winter. But some have been known to go into brumation on the first winter if they are large enough or are chilled down cool enough. Based on the time of year I would not worry quite yet. How long has your cousin had it, and has it eaten for them yet previously? Also what are the cage temperatures?

[Jrl6130]

Shes only a baby and I'm pretty sure the breeder previously was feeding it live pinkies but it has not eaten for my cousin yet. He tried feeding it a separate container but no luck. Her temps are around 80

[reptileexperts]

Bump the temperatures up to 85-88 even up to the lower end of 90 on the warm side. You can also get some tuna and dip a frozen thawed pinky into the tuna to try and stimulate their desire to eat. If the breeder was offering live, go pick up a live and mimic what the breeder does. Make sure that its not in too large of a cage, and has secure hides that it can retreat to. An over exposed western hognose will often refuse food when its young.

[Jrl6130]

Ok thank you!!! I heard that you should rub a toad on a pinkie to get a hognose to eat because they toads in the wild is this true?

[reptileexperts]

This is true of EASTERN Hognose that are extremely picky eaters in captivity and in the wild feed primarily on amphibians, toads and frogs. But Western come from a natural diet of small rodents with a minimal influence from other prey items including amphibians. With Westerns the tuna dip usually works for scenting. Some times you can rub them on a green anole as well. But worst case, just try live. Usually "scenting" is only needed for the first feeding if any.

[Jrl6130]

Ok thank you!! Also should she be fed in her cage with the aspen bedding or a separate container?

[reptileexperts]

Personal choice. I have friends that only feed on a paper towel outside of their cage. I've done both. I have been feeding on substrate for years without any negative issues. But sometimes I clear a little bit of aspen to make sure they feed properly. Other times they come out of the tub to eat on their own :-) Check this.

[Cameron1586]

Hey guys! The hognose belongs to me and I got it about two days after Christmas! I got it from a specific reptile store that feeds live pinkies! Though for now ill try the tuna idea and thanks so much!!!

[Jrl6130]

Lol!!! I guess some just cant wait to eat!!