Western Hognose Snake Advice

[rollinkansas]

May I ask what exactly a pinky pump is and where I may get it? Also I was told that I'm stressing out the snakes by forcing them, which isn't my goal either.
I have a new problem too... My female just shed and now she's deciding to be anorexic... Should I keep forcing them or just offer and after like a month of still no eating force again?

Also, I definitely agree with Tom on why the guy let the snake bite him for 3-5 minutes? That just allowed more venom in which is probably why he blew up. If I ever get bit I'll let you know what happens, which may be soon because the female just turned into a bitch lol.

Thanks,
Jackie

Cant you get them at megapets? Ok that was a mean joke.

A pinky pump is like a big metal needle, but where the liquid goes in, you put in a pinky. Then when you press down on the depressor, it squishes the pinky into mush, which you push into the snakes throat. They are like $60, so idk if youll want to do that.

Im also pretty sure its normal for a snake not to eat right after shedding...wait a week. All snakes do is sleep, eat, and shit so you dont need to worry so much about always feeding since most have slow metabolisms.

Also, you wouldnt have this problem if you kept geckos instead

 

[Beardo]

Its normal for a snake to not eat DURING a shed, but not after.

How are you keeping the snakes? Hognoses are typically pretty easy and hardy but babies can be more susceptible to husbandry mishaps.

 

[Galadriel]

This is why I said MAY be worse than a bee sting, and the circumstances were EXTREME. I would certainly never let any animal of any species use me as a chew toy and I doubt any of you would either =)

 

[mindlessvw]

This could be them trying to winter themselves as well...have you consulted a vet, done a fecal, and all the other things to ensure you are working with a healthy snake?

 

[Jackie]

Cant you get them at megapets? Ok that was a mean joke.

Also, you wouldnt have this problem if you kept geckos instead

Nice, Mike, you're terrible! Poor Megapets is down and out, stop picking on it! I'll make sure I look into your geckos, dummy.

Also, my snakes are in a ten gallon tank with moss as a bedding. I try to keep it moist and I have both day and night heat lamps on it. Anything I should do differently?

 

[rollinkansas]

Nice, Mike, you're terrible! Poor Megapets is down and out, stop picking on it! I'll make sure I look into your geckos, dummy.

Also, my snakes are in a ten gallon tank with moss as a bedding. I try to keep it moist and I have both day and night heat lamps on it. Anything I should do differently?

http://lllreptile.com/info/library/animal-care-sheets/snakes/-/western-hognose-snake/


thats a pretty comprehensive care sheet.

 

[Drachenjager]

why not try small frogs ? umm seems simple to me

 

[ErinKelley]

Just Wondering..

I just want to point out an often overlooked factor in regards to handling an animal when they are not thriving or suspected sick. I always found it critically important that they were not handled, especially the small or young until the problem has passed.

Also make sure your heat is from underneath with a pad or a combination of pad and light. And I never misted Western hognose on a regular basis, always seemed to be better on the dryer side.

I think it's a good idea to double, triple check all environmental factors. Make sure everything is perfect and try offering a washed, frog/lizard scented live pinky. One that won't give them a fight to kill and get down their throats.

http://www.reptileallsorts.com/westhognose-cs.htm
http://webspinners.com/coloherp/careshts/snakes/hognose.php

Here's more info that sounds about right to me, just in case you need it anyway!

Good Luck!

Erin

 

[Thoth]

Are you housing them together in the same tank? That maybe affecting them and causing them not to eat. If possible try housing them seperately.

 

[Jackie]

Hmm that might work. I think soon the female is gonna eat the male. I'm waiting a little while before I feed them again just to make sure they are hungry and I know they will NEED to eat. I'll definitely go over the care sheets I glanced at them quickly and they look very informational. You guys are so helpful!!

Does anyone have any hognoses that had the same or similar problem? Mine are a pain in the butt. :wall:

 

[Drachenjager]

Hmm that might work. I think soon the female is gonna eat the male. I'm waiting a little while before I feed them again just to make sure they are hungry and I know they will NEED to eat. I'll definitely go over the care sheets I glanced at them quickly and they look very informational. You guys are so helpful!!

Does anyone have any hognoses that had the same or similar problem? Mine are a pain in the butt. :wall:

pinkies arent thier natural food, so you probably have to train it to eat them. if it gets bad try frogs like they eat in the wild.

 

[Jackie]

I don't want to feed them frogsssss!!!! They're pets! Not food! Haha

 

[Drachenjager]

I don't want to feed them frogsssss!!!! They're pets! Not food! Haha

lol well maybe a copperhead would be a better choice , mice is thier natural food lol
eastern hognose snakes are reallly hard to get to eat pinkies i hear. like they starve to death hard. westerns are supposed to be easier, but ...how bout toads

 

[Beardo]

lol well maybe a copperhead would be a better choice , mice is thier natural food lol
eastern hognose snakes are reallly hard to get to eat pinkies i hear. like they starve to death hard. westerns are supposed to be easier, but ...how bout toads

She HAS Westerns, not Easterns....most Westerns take to rodents quite readily.

Sounds to me like somebody sold you a pair of non-feeding baby Westerns without you knowing any better. Did we ever establish how big the snakes were?

 

[Drachenjager]

She HAS Westerns, not Easterns....most Westerns take to rodents quite readily.

Sounds to me like somebody sold you a pair of non-feeding baby Westerns without you knowing any better. Did we ever establish how big the snakes were?

yeah thats pretty much what i said. BUT frogs and toads are the NATURAL and preferred diet of westerns too. and i hear a lot of folks have to wash the pinkies and rub them wiht a frog or toad to make it smell like one for them to eat it. at least for a while.

 

[rollinkansas]

I don't want to feed them frogsssss!!!! They're pets! Not food! Haha

some people say the same thing about mice and rats..."but they are pets"

Just scent a mouse with a frog or toad if thats what it takes to get the snakes eating.

Or just do what Tom and the rest of the world will agree with and just go back to the store.

 

[Jackie]

Sounds to me like somebody sold you a pair of non-feeding baby Westerns without you knowing any better. Did we ever establish how big the snakes were?

They're probably about 7-9 inches in length, the female a bit bigger in length and width. The female was eating fine until her recent shed, but the male had a thawed out pinky in his container at the time of purchase. I got a nice deal and they were so fascinating I just had to get them.

 

[rollinkansas]

I got a nice deal

If its too good to be true, it probably is. Now you know why you got a nice deal on them.

 

[Nivek]

Hey, I had the same problem. Two baby westerns that wouldn't eat. A friend of mine suggested dipping them in tuna with water. Not tuna with oil, that's obviously very important lol. That did the trick 2/3 times from my experience.

 

[Jackie]

I forcefed the male again last night, he just doesn't want anything to do with these pinkies. I'm thinking he might be scared of them or something because once i get the head into his mouth he swallows it. The female almost didn't eat again but i tried washing it with hot water (no soap though) and after that she went for it. I'm still trying guys!! :?