Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,

It is well documented that western hogs eat eggs in the wild (especially turtles), but I am wondering if anyone feeds eggs (routinely) to their captive hogs? I am asking because I am working on a project that has me following around wild hogs and we often find egg shells outside of their burrows (and they have a full stomach). I am beginning to think they might regurgitate the egg shells...

Thoughts?

-Chris
-----
Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Have you identified the eg shells??? Could it be that the burrow was their axtual nest spot??? I know some hogs will eat their own eggs afer laying them... I have a female who is a known egg eater... This season I offered her a huge nest box and she did not eat a single egg...

In my opinion, I think you should look into what the actual species is of the egg shells you are finding...

We have verified that they are eating turtle eggs by making them regurgitate.

-Chris
-----
Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

That is pretty cool Chris... I would imagine that like many colubrids, hog are opportunistic feeders especially when they are adult size...

I do not see why they would regurge the soft shells though... You would think it would be a good source of calcium for them... I would be awesome if you could get some answers through the work you are doing Chris... Its good to see people taking the time to study this species...

I wouldn't think they would regurgitate egg shells either but we have seen what appears to be regurgitated egg sheels at a few burrows across a couple years.

Cheers,
Chris
-----
Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Thats a super super cool observation!
Thanks for sharing that.
And what a rad pic!
-----
**Joe Schmidt-
3rdroomreptiles.com