Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Classic problem: Snake won't eat. I have plenty of experience with pythons, corns, and kings, but new to Hognoses. Do they have any unique reasons they will not eat? Any suggestions to alter his husbandry?

Husbandry:
Substrate is a combo of cypress mulch and aspen.
Warm spot at high 80s, cool end at mid 70s.
10 gal tank.
Three hides across the temp gradient.
Trying to feed live and f/t pinkies and fuzzies.
He arrived five weeks ago. Fasted for three weeks until he shed, took two pinkies, now hasn't eaten again in 2 weeks.
Doesn't appear to be losing condition yet.
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2.4 ball pythons
1.1 kingsnakes
0.1 crazy cat
?.? ASFs
1.0 husband

Additional info:

He is an '08 Western Hognose who didn't have feeding problems before he arrived. No parasites, no infections, captive bred.
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2.4 ball pythons
1.1 kingsnakes
0.1 crazy cat
?.? ASFs
1.0 husband

a 3 week fast before shedding is unusually long. What were it's feeding habits before you got it? Where do you feed it? I recommend using a deli cup to feed in and put it somewhere dark and quiet. If he was feeding consistently before you got it, I would contact the seller and get his input. However, sometimes they just fast for no particular reason. The 3 week pre-shed fast sends red flags to me though.
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Greg Jackson

I believe they were feeding him a pinkie every week, on Saturdays. Looking at his size, he might want more, so I will try the deli cup with a pinkie and a fuzzy.
I was following all the breeder's guidelines. Pretty similar to a ball python. Don't bother him for a week before trying to feed, don't handle him until a day after he feeds, etc. I was trying to feed him in the evenings in a small dark tupperware container. But I wasn't putting a lid on it and I just stayed to make sure he wouldn't make a run for it.
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2.4 ball pythons
1.1 kingsnakes
0.1 crazy cat
?.? ASFs
1.0 husband

try pulling the skin off the nose.i have heard they love the ASF's.good luck!
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ball pythons
garter snake morphs easterns/checkereds/floridas/redsides
western hognose
1.1 super kids Memfis Lance and Linda May(co-dom)

I am also having this problem with an albino hog that I just got. I have a total of six, five are doing great, the one just doesn't seem to be interested in food at all yet. Trying to be patient but it's hard! =)

GL with yours!
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www.geckobabies.com

sounds about right, male you say.i've had them go two months without eating but as small as he is i'd say his cage is way to
big. i have yearling males i still keep in shoeboxes. and i know
if i moved them to something larger they'd stop eating or slow
down a lot.so you might want to try a much smaller cage.
keep us posted!

I had wondered about that. I think I will move him to a shoebox tote with some under tank heating on top of the delicup feeding. Willing to give this guy my all. Never thought he'd be trouble!
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2.4 ball pythons
1.1 kingsnakes
0.1 crazy cat
?.? ASFs
1.0 husband

3 weeks is nothing for a hog, even a baby. Honestly, don't worry unless he is losing weight. Weigh him weekly. I've had them go over 4 months without losing a gram.