Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm thinking of getting a tricolor, but I heard that the hognose breed can inflict a nasty bite. Is this true? And how serious?

The only time you are likely to get bit is in feeding response. I have never been bitten by a hoggie. As long as you use safe feeding/handleing practices you should not get bit. By safe handleing I mean always washing your hands before holding them. I would highly recommend them.
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Jenea

2:3:1 Tricolor Hognose (plus babies)
4:2 Eastern Hognose
1:2 Western Hognose
0:2 Southern Hognose
0:0:3 Florida Redbelly Snakes
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
1:2 Eastern Fence Lizards
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

Indeed! The only time you'll get bit is during feeding response because hogs don't really strike in self defense. They'd rather play dead!

I'll add to that by saying, if you do get bit, you'd probably have to let it chew on you for it to get it's fangs in,(as they're rear fanged). And also, if you did let it get you with its fangs your arm would swell for a while. It wouldn't leave any lasting damage and they say it's not painful. Google "hognose bite" You'll only find a few cases.

Anyhow, what I'm trying to say is it's not so bad if it happens, and it won't happen so long as you handle your snake with clean hands, feed them in a seperate container, and keep your hands away during feeding time. You're probably more likely to be bitten by a different type of snake honestly, only because other snakes, bite when they are feeling pissy. If you do get bit by a hog, you probably deserved it.