If I were a herper from another country, say Africa or S.A. I would pick up a hognose and say, Hmmmmmmmmmmm look an egg eating snake. As their build, shape, mouth, etc, all indicate a egg specialist. Even that enlarged tooth, its being questioned as a toad popper, hahahahahahaha. Do hogs eat eggs, oh heck yes.



Ever wondered why hogs are non directional feeders, that is, they don't worry about head first, hmmmmmmm thats an egg specialist behavior.



Consider, bird nests and reptile nests, are HUGE HUGE amounts of energy. And would indeed support progress.



Take gilas, another egg or nest specialist. Short thick animals with the ability to store lots of energy. Hmmmmmmmm a lizard hognose. Short thick, can store lots of energy. That means, they have short periods of time to consume a lot of energy and store that energy for long periods. Which again indicates nest robbers.



Frank,

I agree 100%. It has been proven that hogs do indeed feed on box turtle eggs pretty frequently in the wild, more so than they would on hard shelled bird eggs. Or so I think. I happen to believe that the eggs of reptiles might be a big part of adult hogs diets especially gravid females for the same reasons you think. Lots of protein and coloric energy in a devoloping egg. Not to mention calcium from the shells. More than you will find in the bones to toads and mice.



I also think the reason why hogs will eat so frequently in captivity is because of their natural instinct which is to consume as much as possible in the time they have during the active sason. I think it is quite the same for most temperate colubrids including corns, bulls, pines, garters and non-montain kings. The problem in captivity is most people keep them too cool so offering large amounts of food is not good for their figure. LOL.

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