Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a clutch of 7 Western Hognose Snakes just about 1 month old now and I've had varying levels of success with them feeding.

Pinkies eaten by each from hatching:

1. 5 & 1/2
2. 0
3. 0
4. 2 & 1/2
5. 1
6. 1
7. 0

Now as you can see there are 3 that are still yet to accept a meal.

I've tried plain pinkies, tuna scented, brianed, cut in half, leaving them in a small tub with the pinkie etc and they just aren't showing ANY interest.

The is 1 or 2 looking a little thin now so I really want to get them going soon.

Any pointers?

Go find a small toad. Not a firebelly or other "pet" type but just one native to the US. Rub it all over the pinky. Then bait the toad in front of the Hog. When it gets excited and tries to take the toad, pull it away and give it the toad-scented pinky. they should gulp it down. Then just freeze the toad for the next time.

Thanks for the reply, however we don't have many U.S native Toads hopping around Northern Ireland this time of year

I caught 1 Mediterranean gacko and quickly killed it and froze it in a little water 3 years ago. I rub a f/t pinky in that and it works great at getting problem hoggies to eat. I really didn't want to kill the gecko, but just scenting with the live gecko didn't work. It took a little blood and guts. But I still have and use the same gecko even now. It's strange how readily some hatchlings will eat, while others are problematic. I usually have hatchlings eat within an hour or 2 out of the egg, but others take a while. Good luck.

The one in the photo is less than 2 hours old.

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Greg Jackson

I've had a lot of success with scenting with lancefish.
its easily available form most pet shops in the frozen dept.
just wash the pink in some very mild soapy water, thouroughly rinse, and coat in squished lancefish.

Good luck

First try the water from a can of tuna.

If that does not work-doesn't ireland have a native toad (Bufo bufo I think)? That should work just fine (even a common frog would do)....
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

I see where that could be a problem. You could try native Irish toads.