Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all! I breed other varieties of snakes, but just now thinking about dabbling in the Tricolor Hognoses. However, upon researching them, I've stumbled across conflicting information regarding feeding.

Many websites say that babies can be finicky and may need to be offered scented pinkies to get started. However, I have also found information saying that they have a voracious appetite, and they readily feed on thawed unscented pinks.

So, experts.... what's the truth?

I'm also wondering about the rear-fanged nature of this species. I've heard that it is harmless to people, but if by chance you got injected... what would you compare it to? Bee sting? Does the venom do anything at all, or is it just the bite itself that hurts?

Thanks for taking the time to read this! Appreciate any info you can provide!
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Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

If their bite is anything like the westerns, I would be more inclined say it's like a bee sting. From experience, the worst that has happened to me after a bite is localized swelling and redness, along with a mild headache and nausea. Overall, it's nothing to be to concerned with, but I have found that Benadryl works well to combat the effects.

Many websites say that babies can be finicky and may need to be offered scented pinkies to get started. However, I have also found information saying that they have a voracious appetite, and they readily feed on thawed unscented pinks.

I can say that from my limited experience, the finicky aspect is true. In 2009 I hatched out about 30 tricolors, none of them took to eating unscented pinkies after their first shed. I then tried various scenting methods, bufo toad, anole, tuna water as well as a few others I cannot think of off the top of my head, none of those worked for me. I ultimately ended up having to force feed all of them beef baby food through a gavage needle (which they actually did quite well on) while still offering pinkies in between forcefeedings until I was able to get 2 to convert over to pinkies (which took almost 2 months) while the others I had to let expire after 3+ months of forcefeeding and offering scented and unscented pinkies. I can say however that once they realize a food source, they are voracious eaters. The 2 that I have converted over to mice never miss a meal, too bad that all of the others never took to wanting to eat pinkies, I had some really nice specimens.

However, your mileage may vary, I know that Jenea seems to have fairly good success with them, I only wish I had her magic touch. But having said that, there's a reason why you don't see too many hatchlings for sale and there's always a few horror stories about people that buy "established" feeders from some unscrupulous breeders that won't eat for them and they ultimately die.

The Tri's are a beautiful snake but have a completely different behavior than Westerns do and usually tend to be a little more twitchy. I still love my Tri's, but I like my Westerns a lot more.
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Troy Rexroth
Rextiles

Ya , some of that is true how ever , all my babies ate just fine for me my females are super tame ,a big part is to handle your snakes everyday not leave them in a box ,and feed. I like the tri-colors just a little because as you can see you can get some wild patterns . I ALSO REALLY LIKE THE southerns thats something you don't see alot of , RED PHASE WESTERNS, ALB. WESTERNS sweet too, but theres a couple of tricks with the tri. and it does not include force feeding .

i was able to get nonfeeders to take a small pink if the pink were placed into their mouth and pulled foreward so the teeth got hooked on the pink......the snake would then swallow the pink....reflexive????......they behave more like a kingsnake rather than a hognose.....with all that tail wagging etc......

Thanks a bunch for your insight, guys! Is there one particular thing I should have handy for scenting? My Thayeri Kings are natural lizard eaters, so I have to make sure I have some fence lizards in the freezer at all times.
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Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

I have good luck with a few methods of getting hatchlings to eat. The easiest I found is to make a toad slurry( Gross, but works.) Blend up a bunch of toads and add a 1/4 to 1/2 water more if really thick. I freeze mine in little cups, like the ones you get from a resturant with salad dressing in.On feeding day. I will fill a cottage cheese container with half warm water and defrost the slurry in there. I will then add my f/t pinkies(day old works best) and defrost them.

I will then try and put right up to their snout for them to get a taste. Sometimes they take right to it and others will shy away. If they shy away I put them in a deli cup for the night with the pinkie. Usually that's all it takes. And since you work with Thayeri the other method is just like tease feeding, but instead of teasing with the pinkie just hold it in front right up to their nose and wiggle slowly. Usually the open up and start to feed on their own.

Afew others have luck with canned salmon,tuna, and just toad scenting. Once they start the continue eating with a venegence. Just my trial and error and what works best for me.
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Jimmy Tintle

I got both of mine as newborns, but from the very beginning they were voracious feeders of f/t pinks.
Guess I lucked out and found 2 good breeders who didn't sell them to me until they were feeding.
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Thanks,
-JC
www.rosyboas.to

That's the thing, I like to get mine to have 10 or so meals in them consistently before I sell or trade them..
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Jimmy Tintle

I agree