i totally agree. the same thing is seen in ball pythons, atleast by me. people see that ball pythons come from africa...and instantly think 'hot and dry'.

they fail to realize that a ball python is underground 95 percent of their lives, in rodent burrows and termite mounds...and they are actually from scrublands and not the desert. i think that is why you see so many ball pythons that have crappy sheds and look dehydrated.

i agree with what you are saying about the humidity gradient, and i also agree that a higher degree of temp gradients are also important. i have always believed and utilized much higher temp AND humidity gradients than most people tend to use...and i feel my animals have always benefitted from this. it totally makes sense with hognose snakes too, and i am glad i asked this question, and i am greatful for your responses as well, thank you. actually, i had planned on using the deep soil(except i was thinkin like 8 to 10 inches, but twelve would be better) i was planing on using different sized hides, at different levels of temp and humidity(and had GREAT success setting up rosy boas this way), and giving the animals lots of room to thermoregulate and explore. while i have used racks in the past, i have ALWAYS had naturalistic enclosures and feel the animals benefit highly from them...AS LONG AS THEY ARE SET UP PROPERLY. i think a lot of people set up enclosures, but dont take into consideration the animals needs...but more thier own...'it looks good, so it is good enough for me"...rarely seeing that the gradients are simply not there.

so basically i think i was probably pretty close to 'hitting the nail on the head'...as far as what i was thinking, with a few details needing adjusted. i appreciate your input, and plan on picking up some animals as soon as i find some i am interested in getting..i have found that i am pretty much going to have to wait for the 2013 babies to hatch and start feeding before i find some females...lol.

i know snakes are better housed alone, but i have also heard several keepers who keep a few hognoses togeather, what are your thoughts on this....? i would think that a female would probably be stressed having a male constantly trailing and crawling on her...thanks again for your responces, i really appreciate it greg!

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