how big do male western hognose snakes get?
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male hogs
lrptls
Oct 24, 2003 05:38 PM
Replies (2)
chrish
Oct 25, 2003 08:08 AM
Strange that three of the last four posts are basically asking this same question.
Male westerns are smaller than females. Males become mature around 12-13 inches while females will be 16-18 inches when the first reach maturity. I have a male western who is 5-6 years old and probably about 15 inches long. I have seen a few wild males that were a little larger, but this seems to be around the average, based on my limited experience (n < 30).
I don't know the max size for males. The max size for the species is almost 3 feet, but that is undoubtedly a female. I haven't ever heard of a male in excess of 24 inches, and that would be a monster! Females regularly get 24 inches long and even up to 30 inches in captivity.
When breeding hogs, I am always careful about putting my male in with my female, mostly because she tries to eat anthing that comes into her cage! But once her immediate attack response is quelled, she is trustworthy with her diminuative boyfriend.
-----
Chris Harrison
...he was beginning to realize he was the creature of a god that appreciated the discomfort of his worshippers - W. Somerset Maugham
Naamah
Oct 25, 2003 03:04 PM
I know it's an essentially 'stupid' question, but . . . it was really bugging me. I'd read that males were 'smaller' but nobody ever elaborated on what that really meant. I got a good measurement on my boy, btw. He's actually bigger than I thought -- 17 inches. I guess I can stop worrying about him now.
Thanks for taking the time,
--Naamah
