Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My male western hognose has only eaten a couple of times since october and not at all since december. He weighed 72 grams before he went off feed, he now ways 62 grams. I understand that hognose snakes often go off feed in the winter. Should i be worried? When do they usually start to eat again?

Thanks in advance
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Adam
http://anraviary.cjb.net
0.0 African Sidenecked, 0.0 Northern Diamondback Terrapin, 0.1 Redfoot, 0.1 Sulcatta, 1.0 Western Hognose, 1.0 Crested Gecko, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx

I do not know that much about hogs, but have heard that scenting mice with lizards or frogs can help. This is going to sound nasty, but I've gotten reluctant herps to eat by taking a thin awl and puncturing the brain of a frozen/thawed feeder rodent... Maybe just try giving it a frog? They eat a lot of them in the wild, but be sure to be careful what kind of frog you give it... I've heard of people trying to feed herps those aquatic african things, and them dying from the toxicity of the animal... Good luck!
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1.1 argentine b/w tegus
1.0 anery corn
0.1 western hog
0.1 leopard gecko
1.1 blue headed tree agama
0.0.1 ball python
0.0.1 western fox
And always looking for more!!

I don't know as I would go for scenting just yet, I mean, if the thing eats unscented its probably MUCH easier, and you don't want it to get started on wanting only scented. My hog has been good about eating but other snakes I've dealt with have gone up to 3 months without eating or more (we lost one for 6 months once, not sure if she found any rodents in the basement or what but though slightly skinny she was ok when we found her) and been just fine. Does your snake seem distracted or just not interested? Mine will sometimes try to escape her feeding container for half an hour before finally deciding that the pinkie is not just something to try to dig under, and then she eats 2 no problem. maybe try the split brain pinkie (or punctured brain, as suggested before)--if it were me I'd probably figure my snake was going to die if it didn;t eat right away before trying scenting...don't want to start bad habits that might make feeding a chore in the future. I've also had success 'assist feeding' a carpet python (she only ate every couple months and only when we pushed it into her mouth), but it's something better done by someone who knows how, and preferably 2 people, 1 to hold the snake and one to maneuver the food into the mouth.
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Sue Barnett
1.0 Florida King (Vega)
0.1 Western hognose (Sola)
0.1 Egyptian spiny mouse (Mia)
4.2 mini rex rabbits (Basil, Pippin, Reggie, Hayden, Jackie and Peek-a-boo)
0.1 Plott hound (Molly)
1.0 half Arab (Zarr)
1.0 Betta (to be named once he lives out the 7-day warrantee)

Don't scent the food. This is normal hog stuff. Mine do this same thing every year. He will eat. If you scent you will regret it.

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1.1 00 Queretaro Mountain Kingsnake
2.1 01 Texas Glossy snakes
1.4 01 Western Hognose
1.1 03 100% Het Albino Western Hognose
1.1 00 Striped Het Albino Pacific Gophers
1.2 03 Tri-color hognose
1.1 00 Black Milks
0.1 01 Black Milk
1.2 03 Tarahumara Mountain Kings

I see tricolor hogs on your posted list of captives. How do you like those things? Are they as easy as Western hogs? Do they require more humidity? Thanks for any info.

In my opinion they are just as easy as Westerns. I did keep them in moist peat moss as hatchlings but now I keep them on Aspen with a water bowl in there enclosure. Make sure you buy CB and you shouldn't have any problems. If you have more questions email me direct. pituophisman@comcast.net.

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1.1 00 Queretaro Mountain Kingsnake
2.1 01 Texas Glossy snakes
1.4 01 Western Hognose
1.1 03 100% Het Albino Western Hognose
1.1 00 Striped Het Albino Pacific Gophers
1.2 03 Tri-color hognose
1.1 00 Black Milks
0.1 01 Black Milk
1.2 03 Tarahumara Mountain Kings