Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do eastern hognoses eat anything other than toads?
I live in south Florida and I am thinking about getting an eastern. I can get plenty of toads out in the yard, but would prefer to feed him mice.
I have a lot of Buffo toads around here, which are suppose to be real poisonous, does it matter what type of toads to feed them?

If you buy a CBB eastern then you can get one that eats mice. I think mostly spadefoots are used but I could be wrong about that. You also want to consider that in the winter you wont have easy access to the toads and the fact that they will be loaded with parasites. I know that Easterns are the more difficult hog to get on mice, but it has been done.

ep
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Occupants not paying rent:
1.1. balls
1.1 corns
1 everglades rat
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2.1 cats

The cane toads are toxic to them. They can be switched over to mice, but it takes some patience. It is well worth it though. Great snakes with LOTS of personality!!
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Jenea

2:3 Tricolor Hognose
2:1 Eastern Hognose
1:2 Western Hognose
2:2 Southern Hognose
0:0:2 Florida Redbelly Snakes
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
1:2:2 Mediterranean Geckos
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

Eastern hogs are great to work with!I have 3,my 2 females eat rat pups only.I still haven't been able to get my male to take rats though.Common toads(bufo) are just fine.Here's a couple of pics. jeff

It took me about 4 months to get my CBB eastern feeding on mice. He now eats hoppers and is growing like a weed. If you do feed wc bufo, I suggest freezing them first to kill parasites. (It seemed to work for me when I had to supplement tree frogs while switching over to mice) Make sure that you do not starve the poor guy though. Easterns will die faster than westerns if not fed. I have found that if you get it feeding in a tub on what it likes it is easier to switch because it associates the feeding tub with food, no matter what you put in it. Tree frogs were the best scenters for me. I still keep a few on hand in case he gets picky. So far he has been taking unscented for 4 months now as well.They are freshly pre killed and Sometimes I make him chase it to seem like they are a live. Good luck and feel free to ask if you have questions. I am expecting a girl for my male soon. I hope to be a daddy!
Nick