How is the best way to treat a wc? I've read that its best to handle it alot to get it used to being handled, and I've also read that its best to leave it alone for a while and let it get used to being in captivity first. Would the kind of snake make a difference here? Its an Eastern Hognose.
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WC
shed
Jun 04, 2003 02:21 PM
Replies (5)
snakeguy88
Jun 04, 2003 05:53 PM
I would let it go. Eastern hogs that are WC make notoriously bad captives. They only feed on toads which are in short supply during winter. They are succeptible to stress especially in the first weeks and many will perish. If you have not worked with many snakes both CB and WC you should let it go where you found it and get a nice CB hog. And if I produce babies next year, I would be happy to provide you with one free of charge. CB hognose can also be put on mice. And if you are deadset on keeping it, do not handle it much. These snakes will stress fairly easily so handling should be kept to a bare minimum. They are usually "tame" (meaning they dont bite or musk) since the day of capture, not requiring any handling to calm them down. Andy
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Andy Maddox
The Reptizone
shed
Jun 05, 2003 05:13 PM
thanks Andy, I've kept wc hogs through the summer months before. All were adults. If I had known how rare the first was I would have tried to keep It. It had bright yellow markings on its neck that gradully changed to bright orange and then back to yellow before fading out about half way down its back.I just thought they were all like that (HAA).The others were black. This one has some orange and its belly is kinda pink. Its 19" long.Its eating and I'm not handling it, if I can get it eating f/t over the summer I may keep it. I do thank you for the offer on the snake and your concern for the wild population is much appreciated. What i really want is a Giant if you hear of a good deal on one.
thanks agan
Larry
snakeguy88
Jun 05, 2003 05:39 PM
A giant as in a giant hog? And good luck with getting it switched over. Andy
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Andy Maddox
The Reptizone
shed
Jun 05, 2003 08:35 PM
yes, a giant hog. I found a great deal on one several years ago but it was my first snake so I decided aganst it. I would want it to be cb.
Any pointers on changing mine over. I would guess just dangle it in front of the snake.After it gets used to eating with me standing over it of course. (f/t toads I'm talking about) I've read about changing them to sented mice but I've also read that its unlikely
mare
Jun 06, 2003 01:06 PM
In all truth, no snake really "enjoys" being handled. Some tolerate it better than others. I have some that seem to like getting out of their boxes to explore a little, but I doubt that they get pleasure from me touching them - these are all cornsnakes. My hognoses (and Ball pythons, too) would all be just happy as clams if they could be left alone and just thrown food regularly. They are very shy and can get stressed out pretty easily.
Of course, I do pick them up and check them out, but as for prolonged handling, I let them decide how long to hold them. As soon as they start moving quickly and are looking for a place to hide, they go back in their boxes...
Mare
