Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my hatchling western hog since August, and he shed for the first time yesterday (he went off feed for 2 months in the fall). Today when I tried to reach into his enclosure and pick him up, he sort of went to "strike" at me, and then proceeded to "run away" to the other side of his enclosure. When i picked him up he musked me and so I put him down, and I noticed he was also "hooding". This snake has never bit me, or even gone to strike at me, he is usually fine with me handling him, he never tries to "run away". The snake musked me on one other occasion, that was when I Attemtped to force-feed him.

Any ideas as to the abnormal behavior?

Thanks for your time,
Ralph
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0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu
0.0.1 Baby Aru Green Tree Python R.I.P. 01/26/04
2.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.4 Hatchling Bearded Dragons
1.1 Honduran Milksnake
1.0 Florida Brooksi Kingsnake
1.0 Blood Red Cornsnake
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.0 Western Hognose Snake
1.0 Bull Mastiff

Your abnormal behavior sounds like typical behavior to me. Good luck and continue holding it. Your baby should slow down as it gets older the more you hold it. All of my hognoses as adults do the same thing as yours is doing now.
Good luck
Jason

n/p