Western Hognose Questions

[Tcollector]

Well im not going to be getting my red tail any time soon until March or April

Since I need to wait until some more red tails are born from my source where I want to get mine from I decided to do a "small" project before I get my boa

I am planing on getting a western hog nose by the middle of next month. I am looking for a couple answers. I do know how to take care of these etc, but I dont know 1 thing. What is the best way to approach to pick one of these up? I know that they are docile but from what I understand is that they have a good feeding responce.

 

[DavidD]

Why must you have a snake wait it out. I think you would like the BCC more if yu didnt get the hog. Sometimes people just want a snake for the sake of gettin it

 

[Tcollector]

The thing is I really like these too. I would not have chose this if I did not want it.

 

[johnharper]

I weight for mine to strecth out or start burrowing before I slowly pick them up they can be big bluffers but they can bite mine have tried to bite me before especially the larger female.

John

 

[Tcollector]

How often do you guys handle? I learned by handling 4 to 5 times a week calms a nervous snakes down.

 

[bamato]

Handling regularly is a must obviously. If the snake has an attitude problem I usually handle three times a week as to not stress the snake out.

To ditch the feeding response I use the tap method. I'll oen the cage door and use a tool such as a hook or forceps and tap the body of the snake to let it know its handling time and not feeding time. You have to differentiate the two somehow. Snakes don't bite because you taste good obviously, they bite because they have no idea what you're doing, or they have been condtioned that everytime you open the enclosure door, it's feeding time.

 

[JohnEDove]

You do need to be aware of the fact that Hogs ARE venomous snakes. Even though rear fanged and not classed as dangerous they can do damage on the short term if not treated with the respect they are due.
I keep two females and a male in our breeding program and do not take them out for educational programs or to play with them without gloves.
http://www.herpnet.net/bite/

 

[Tcollector]

You do need to be aware of the fact that Hogs ARE venomous snakes. Even though rear fanged and not classed as dangerous they can do damage on the short term if not treated with the respect they are due.
I keep two females and a male in our breeding program and do not take them out for educational programs or to play with them without gloves.
http://www.herpnet.net/bite/

I allready knew that they are venomous snakes. I always do a full research before I even think of bringing a snake or a T home.

 

[DavidD]

you will soon relize that the more snakes you get while you wait you will have to many