Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I'm new to this forum and would like some advice. I just got a western hognose and he is a good eater. F/T pinkies go quickly. Last Sunday I fed him for the first time since I got him and he took the pinkie before I could get the little container he was in back into his aquarium. Today I offered him up two pinkies and he ate them both in quick succession. That's a four-day schedule. Is it better for them to feed them once a week or smaller meals more frequently? Seems like he'll take food whenever I offer it to him, but I don't want to overdo it.
THanks, Bob

How old is he? I've heard breeders feeding hatchlings or pre-yearlings every four days, but it seems like they're in a hurry to get them to breedng size and weight. I guess for just a hognose that you're interested in keeping s a pet with no immediate plans to breed 1 pinkie every four days should be enough. I've fed my '05 male W. Hog 1 food item (1st pinkies, now fuzzies) per session, and in his first year he appears to have doubled in size. I went to the IRBA how in Pomona and saw the yearling W. Hogs that Renegade Reptiles had and they were all (except fems) about the same size as mine.

reako45

I purchased a hog about 10 inchs. I fed her/him once per week, one or two pinky rats. After a couple days she/he was looking for more food. I also noticed after about a yr, he/she only grew a bit. I am now offering her/he 2 pinky rats every 4 days. And she/he is eating them. Too early to tell about the growth on the new schedule.
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2.1 Albino BP
0.4 100% Het Albino
2.1 100% het Caramel Albino BP
1.0 100% Het Clown
1.0 50% het clown
2.12 Normal BP
0.0.1 Western Hognose
alot of cornsnakes
0.1.0 Dumeril Boa
3.6 Bearded Dragons
1.0.1 Sulcatta tortoise
2.0 Russian Tortoise
1.0 Cockatiel
0.1 Rottweiler
0.2 Boston Terriers
0.1 White Boxer
0.1 Paint Mare
bunch of geckos
0.1 Teenage daughter
1.0 Husband who puts up with all my critters.

Thanks for the advice. He's sleeping off the big meal of yesterday. I think that I'll probably go with 1 pinky every four days and see how he grows. I'm in no hurry, just want to keep him healthy and happy. Very cool snakes.

In my opinion a small food item every other day is good for most snakes. Alot of people disagree but ive had alot of sucess this way. There is exceptions though, If your snake begins getting fatty deposits your feeding it to much and should back off. But ive found that this only happens to a few snakes. maybe with different metabolisms.Just my opinion! Its proved well with my father and I with no repercusions.