Help me decide on a new snake.

[nightbreed]

Hey guys I'm going to be getting a new snake soon and I cant decide what to get, the short list is,

Rough Scaled Sand Boa

Western Hognose

Columbian Rainbow Boa

Three very different snakes, but they all appeal to me for those different reasons.

I have more experience with Boids (mostly Common Boas)
I've been out of herps for a while and quite recently got back into snakes by getting myself a new Common Boa and even more recently a Royal Python, so I'm not a noob but maybe a bit rusty

So what would you choose? please give reasons

Thanks in advance

 

[Dozer]

I'd personally say go with a Western Hognose.

These guys are great as display snakes and have a very unique look but are very easy to keep. Sand boas you never get to see as they prefer to be under the substrate and Rainbow boas can sometimes be tricky to keep due to their humidity requirements.

 

[Schlyne]

I'd go with the western hognose. I think you'd see it more than the sand boa, and as for the rainbow boa, they have tougher humidity requirements.

 

[Bry]

Definitely go with the hognose!

 

[nightbreed]

Thanks guys.
I was leaning towards the hoggy anyway and I think you pushed me over the edge

 

[KerstinP]

Thanks guys.
I was leaning towards the hoggy anyway and I think you pushed me over the edge

Western Hognoses r great little snakes, we have 5 lol. And they come in all sorts of color morphs these days now as well...good luck and have fun, keep up us informed and post pics oce u got one

 

[Zoo Keeper]

I think you will enjoy a western hognose. They are beautiful little snakes, with great big attitudes.

 

[ScorpDemon]

hognoses in general fascinate me.. one of the next on my list.. gotta love em

 

[fluffy]

id say go for columbian rainbow boa
although they will need the obvious space and humidity needs get to a decent size and make good captive snakes and will carry on the boas.
western hognoses and sand boas in my opinion can be a little reluctant to handle but the columbian i had in the past was very tame and fed very well but as they say you get exceptions to this in every snake and their bigger sizes makes them better to handle
all the best in your decision
lee

 

[Thoth]

The only down side to the hognose is after they get used to you, they stop performing that cool display they do, puffing up and spreading sort of like a cobra.
They're a cool snake nonetheless.

 

[Dozer]

The only down side to the hognose is after they get used to you, they stop performing that cool display they do, puffing up and spreading sort of like a cobra.

I wish mine would get over it, LOL!! It seems if I don't feed her every 3-4 days she tries to attack me on site. Despite the huge attitude problem I love these guys.

 

[nightbreed]

Thanks everyone for helping me choose.

Here's a pic of my new hoggy, I was gonna get some more pics but the little booger wasnt in the mood and I didnt want to stress him out to much (rough translation, the little blighter bit me and even managed to draw blood so I called it a day )

[/IMG]

Even though he's a bitey little thing at the mo, I love him to death

 

[Bry]

That's funny...it's generally very difficult to get a hognose to bite unless it's a feeding response. Cool snake though, hognoses are awesome.

 

[nightbreed]

That's funny...it's generally very difficult to get a hognose to bite unless it's a feeding response. Cool snake though, hognoses are awesome.

Thats what I've heard, apparently they are all show and generally strike with a closed mouth, but this little SOB didnt strike he just casually opened his mouth and bit me on the side of my left ring finger, it didnt hurt and there wasn't any swelling but getting him off was awkward, he's so little I was scared of hurting him
I have no idea why he bit me I hadn't been handling any food items.....perhaps I smell like a frog or a toad

 

[Sheri]

Damn you all, and your tempting little words.

There's a hognose I've been eyeing for quite some time.

Actually, in Manitoba our Hognoses have been studied by many people as their "venom" strength is apparently becoming more and more potent.

I contacted one of our locals at the univeristy, and will be getting some info from him, I'll be sure to share it here.

 

[Dozer]

Actually, in Manitobe our Hognoses have been studied by many people as their "venom" strength is apparently becoming more and more potent.

I had a friend who was bitten by his hognose and it refused to let go....being a rear-fanged snake the hog started working his mouth forward much like it would do when trying to 'deflate' a toad with its rear fangs. The snake did manage to get it's fangs into my friends hand before he finally got it to release after dunking it under cold water. As a result of the bite his hand swelled up and turned quite red, it apparently didn't produce too much pain and the swelling and redness were gone within a couple of days.

 

[KerstinP]

Congrates!!! Hognoses r awsome snakes. Best wishes for u and ur new edition

 

[nightbreed]

Congrates!!! Hognoses r awsome snakes. Best wishes for u and ur new edition

Thank you
He seems to be doing well, he's eating fine, still a little skittish but he is getting better (he hasnt tried to chew on me since he bit me, I guess I taste bad )

 

[galeogirl]

Hognoses are great. They can be pugnacious, but once they're tame, they're sweet little snakes that make good presentation animals.