Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Dog was barking like crazy at this poor little guy. So I scooped him up and took some pics. I dont really know a whole lot about Hognoses. Can anyone give me specifics? Eastern maybe? I live in NC. I was just wondering for curiosity sake.

That's an Eastern Hognose. A nice looking one too. If you want to keep him, you'll need local amphibians. Or try scenting mice.
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James

I don't see any reason to encourage someone taking a healthy animal from the wild, not when CB hogs are available.

Jon, your state has an excellent book, Reptiles of North Carolina. It is definitely worth the money, even for me up in VA! At least check it out at a library. I hope you'll send it on its way soon.
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*Humans aren't the only species on earth... we just act like it.

".the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without
spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

I was just giving him tips so that if he did want it it wouldn't die. There's nothing wrong with keeping a snake for a couple days then sending it on its way.
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James

If the snake is going to be kept for only a few days, feeding should probably not even be attempted. It only has the potential to further stress an already stressed-out animal. And besides, hognose do not make the best of pets as snakes go. They are actually quite difficult to get transitioned to captivity and scenting mice normally works as much as giving them unscented mice (which has a very low success rate). Unless you have a ton of exp. with these snakes in particular it is best to leave them where you found them. As well their numbers are declining, although isolated pockets where they are fairly common seem to pop up in places where they used to be overly plentiful. And since they eat toads and many won't take mice, what would happen over winter? Not a good idea for people that come here asking for an ID to get told to keep it (no offense to original poster). Andy
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Andy Maddox
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

I wasn’t telling him to keep it! I just said what to feed it if he wanted to keep it. Sorry, I just was just trying to help the guy out.
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James

First I'd like to clear up that I had no intentions to keep this snake. It was captured breifly for a few photos and then released back where it was found. I've been keeping reptiles and snakes(to include hots) for a few years now. I am very compassionate about preserving wild populations. Its capture was only for a prefessional inquiry.

To James, I thank you for the infomration you provided. Not knowing a whole lot about Hognoses I was'nt aware that they fed mostly on amphibians. I can see how it seemed that I was keeping it and you just wanted to make sure I knew the correct husbandry needs. Again I thank you.

Colchicine, on your reccomendation I went to the bookstore today. While I didnt find the exact book you spoke of I found something pretty close. "Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia". Great book

In other news, my room mate called me at work today and told me she saw another snake that looked a lot like the one i had only a LOT smaller. I can only speculate but that sounds like good news! I've also found some shed skin in the yard so maybe I've got a few hanging around. I get a lot of toads and frogs in the yard because of the pool. I'll have to be more careful when I mow the lawn from now on.

I hope you feel very lucky. Search the old forum for "how do I find a hognose in the wild?" and you will see how difficult it is to come across them.

Keep searching for that book, you might need to special order it (check the Kingsnake.com bookstore). The Reptiles of NC is a FAR better book, but the one you got serves its purpose.
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*Humans aren't the only species on earth... we just act like it.

".the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without
spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

yep, that's an eastern! Has a lil orange on him too! Nice! If you don't want him, e-mail me and we;ll work something out. Keep him in a small tank with cypress/hardwood mulch or aspen bedding to burry in. To feed, put him in a seperate bare container. He should eagerly accept your native toads.

A.C.

Yep, I would try feeding him mice and be sure to soak him, It helps calm down wild snakes I have found out if you give him a good soak after you catch him.

Nice looking snake, that thing is really big.

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