Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was at a petshop today and while i was browsing through the snake section i found a hognose for sale.i probably will not buy it for their price but for the fun of it I asked if i could hold the snake.ive never seen a hognose longer than 5 inches bfore and this was about 13-14 inches long.it was healthy and not happy with me holding it puffing up and flattening its neck area.after holding it for a few minutes i bought my mealworms and left.i have now decided i have to get one of these awsome snakes.i went home and read the new issue of reptiles and the june 2000 issue.one thing is dicouraging me from buying one though.in the june issue it says respiratory problems can happen from having to much water in the cage.is their a way to prevent this from happening this from happening.also is 150.00 dollars suitable for the western hognose i described earlier as this is what they are asking for it.thanks for you time
nick

I don't think hogs have a pre-disposition of getting RI frequently (please correct me if I'm wrong), but to answer your question: just have a water dish that can't be knocked over, and clean up any moisture or spills that may happen. I've never had an issue with extra moisture in my snakes' enclosures. Well, actually there was a time my hog folded an edge of the paper towel substrate into his water dish, and capillery action spread the moisture all through his enclosure. Switched to aspen shavings so that can't happen anymore.
-----
1.0.0 Sinaloan Milksnake - Widdershins
1.0.0 Western Hognose - Moqui
1.0.0 Shepherd Mix - Loki
0.1.0 Pug - Quasi
0.0.3 Goldfish - 1, 2, and 3
1.0.0 Husband - Greg

so aspen shavings are ok to use.is their a better substrate.just wondering.
nick

Aspen probably is the best substrate for several reasons. It has never been reported on this forum someone having a hognose with an RI, so I personally think it's ridiculous that the author says that even water bowls are a threat (he's the owner of a petstore, cmon!).

It's a good chance that hognose you saw was wild caught. I would highly encourage you to seek out captive bred Westerns through kingsnake.com.
-----
...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)

$150 is probably about twice what you should expect to pay if you purchase a regular western hog from a breeder. Cheers!

thanks for all your help on this subject and since their is a reptile show coming up soon i have decided to get one.thanks again
nick

Im no expert or anything but I dont think its that big a deal. I have a small bowl of water in with mine. I keep mine in a 10 gal with screen lid so it doesnt have a high humidity. If you kept one in a plastic shoebox however you might run into some problems. The article also suggested just putting the water in a couple of times per week and not just leaving it in all of the time. As for the price, that seems a little steep, although im not sure how old it is. You should buy one from a breeder. That way you will know its background. You should be able to find a hatchling for around 50 bucks. You have to pay shipping but its still cheaper. They are great snakes.

EP
-----
Occupants not paying rent:
7 balls
2 corns(normal, candy cane)
1 pueblan milk
1 everglades rat
1 cal. king
1 gray band king
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2 fish
1 rat
5 cats

I keep about 4 hognose is sweaterboxes with water bowls. I haven't had any problems even though the water gets spilled quite often.
-----
...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)

Good to know. Im getting some more hogs in a few weeks/months and may use some shoeboxes for them. Thanks.

EP
-----
Occupants not paying rent:
7 balls
2 corns(normal, candy cane)
1 pueblan milk
1 everglades rat
1 cal. king
1 gray band king
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2 fish
1 rat
5 cats

I've raised hognose for 15 years and never had a problem with RI. Keep a small water source, if it turns over , dry it up. As far as aspen, it works great, but take your snake out to feed. There is a possibility os getting splinters in the mouth with any wood product like that. I had a big female breeder get a splinter and severe infection in her mouth. And $150 is too high.

Never even heard of RI problem in hogs.....

$150 is too high.... I got mine from

Gateway City Reptiles, Inc.
Phone: 636-207-1443
Email: jnemanius@earthlink.net
http://www.GatewayCityReptiles.com

and am very satisfied. I do not know if they have any at this time but worth a try. Mine was $100 including shipping. And she is captive bred and awesome.....
-----
0.1 Western Hognose
1.0 Ball Python