Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am an rookie at keeping snakes as pets and have one very small one year old female hognose who has eaten only 1 pinky per month since I got her in June. Thanks to everyone for their great ideas on the subject. She is a very shy little girl but is just too sweet dispositioned to give up on so I tried every suggestion for scenting including Viena Sausages suggested in one of the threads by a super pro hog breeder. Split, brained and dipped in mouse, fish, toad, frog, lizard blood and have finally found something that really gets her going. She now charges out of her burrow and goes at the pinky with gusto. I scent with a drop or two of Spectrum fish oil which can bought at most health food stores for $10 for 30 caps. Not sure if the stuff has an odor due to my insensitive nose I have fed her 4 times (every two days) with the same results. Doesn't seem to be bad for her except now she is getting chunky and can't slither away from me as fast. I down the remaining capsule and we are both doing well so far. Thoughts or ideas anyone?

I think you were very wise in trying the different scents, and I'm glad you hit on the one that triggered her feeding response. Once she gets eating well the scenting won't be necessary. I was trying to feed a picky eater yesterday, and washed my hands with anti-bacterial soap before offering a pinky with tweezers. The hoggie ignored the pinkie, but latched onto my finger. I tried again, and she grabbed my finger again. Guess I'm going to have to wash the pinkies for her. LOL

Wendell

Good information. I love it when folks try things and post results here, good or bad. I've heard of fish oil used to scent thawed pinks for gartersnakes.
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Mark