Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, i visited a local pet store and fell in love with the hognose snake. So i bought a couple online and they don't seem to be as tame and handleable as the one at the store. Can anyone recommend ways for me to keep the snakes calm so i can handle them, i think i scare them a little much somehow. Right now they are eating, and living at knee level on a snake rack. Should i worry about a bite? Should i wear gloves until they become tame? They are western hognose cb female hatchlings if that helps. Thanks.
Jeff

Hogs will put on a great show but will seldom, if ever, bite out of aggression.

I'm sure your females are striking (mouth closed btw) at you, hissing, and hooding up; but you have nothing to worry about. The strike is more of a head-butt, they don't even open their mouths. Unless it's feeding time and you make a SFE (stupid feeding error) you will probably never be bitten.

When they start putting on their show ignore it, they will more than likely calm right down once you pick them up.

Good luck.
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-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com

Leos Anonymous

Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, W.Hognose and Screaming AFT's

Hognose rarely bite. If they do it could be quite painful, but not from a hatchling. The hissing and jerking is quite normal. Just handle them and they will calm down. Don' t wear gloves they will not know your scent or touch if you do that. You can lift them from their enclosure with a pencil if you are scared but I would just reach in and grab them. Once out the should calm down fine.

Joe
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1.1 Ghost Bulls
1.1 Texas Glossy snakes
2.3 Western Hognose
1.1 Het Striped Pacific Gophers
1.1 White-Sided Bulls
2.2 Tri-color hognose
1.1 Black Milks
1.1 Black Pines

Thanks Guys!! I'll be brave and handle them

n/p