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hog bite! need some feedback

ninj726 Jul 01, 2009 12:54 AM

I've had my 2 hogs for about a year now and this is a first for me. I took out my female earlier tonight just for handling and she attempted to clamp on to my finger! She wasn't displaying any defensive behavior before hand (no hood, no mock strikes, etc.)and I hadn't been handling anything that would have smelled like her food. I had taken out my red tail boa a bit earlier, and I had been petting my cats.My feeling is that since I feed her twice a week, and it has been about three days since she last ate, she just assumed it was lunchtime.she got her front two teeth on and drew a bit of blood, but I didn't give her a chance to latch on, so I'm fine. Anyone have any similar experiences? And I'm a little wary about handling her now... but up to this point she has been one of my favorite snakes! What does everybody think? Also, she's not quite a year old, but I'm not sure if that matters. And she's not in the middle of a shed.

Replies (5)

hogboy Jul 01, 2009 03:17 PM

I have had a few bites from my Albino females, took ages to get them off my finger or wrist.
They just expect food whenever the draw is opened, i gently tap them on the head before handling, and they seem to get the idea.
Hogs just think everything is edible -)
No of mine have ever bitten in aggression, just their constant quest to fill their bellies.
Just make them aware that food is not on the menu Today.
Don't let this event put you off the Hogs.

ninj726 Jul 01, 2009 11:49 PM

the thing is, I had been holding her for about a minute before she actually chomped on me. also, did you have any kind of reaction from the bites? I do feel like it was a misplaced feeding response though.

SEvans Sep 13, 2009 11:29 PM

I was chewed on by a young western hognose about a year ago. Like you, I had been holding him for about a minute, and he showed no warnings (at least none that I saw). I had a reaction: my hand swelled up for about 3 days. I am interested in this b/c most of the "field guides" say that hognoses "never bite."

Andy__G Jul 02, 2009 10:44 PM

Half of my females start trying to eat everything around 2 years old. I've had them chew on blankets, hooks, water dishes, the edge of bins...anything that fits in that mouth of theirs is fair game to them. I have not noticed this in males. Gloves are a good idea.

cochran Jul 04, 2009 09:49 AM

I had an adult eastern female that liked to bite!I always attributed it to her killer feeding response,because for one thing,she wasn't handled much she would eat rat pinkies till she exploded(I never let her do that, lol!)I wouldn't let it discourage you with these guys,just be thankful she has a healthy appetite. Take care! Jeff

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