Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I blame all of you for posting your pics of neat little snakes! I've got an adult pair of Westerns coming next week and will probably be coming here a lot with questions. I've been keeping snakes for around 15 years and always shied away from Hognoses due to the reports of feeding difficulties but this pair eats f/t mice readily so I had to get them. I'll be sure to post some pics once they get here and get settled in. I checked out some care sheets and the few questions I have so far are-
-Do you ever see a defensive display with Westerns like you do Easterns?
-Have you had any luck with double cluching (the female just laid 15 eggs?)
-Do you brumate your breeders? I read on one of the Hognose sites that snakes in the southern part of their range may not brumate.
Thanks!
Lora

Lora

Congratulations on your acquisition. They are alot of fun.
To answer your questions; My hoggs will puff, hiss, and sometimes strike. When they do strike it is always closed mouth. Secondly, I never recommend double clutching. Think of a woman having another baby 9 months after giving birth. Snakes will often fast while carrying and the health of the snake is always jeopardized. Bluntly, it is just not fair to the animal to be put through such stress. Brumating may not be necessary, but definitely beneficial. I hibernate mine. I hope I helped and enjoy your new animals.
Russ

Thanks for the response! I'd love to see the defensive display as long as I don't have to stress the snake out to see it (since that's part of why I'm interested in the species). I know some types of snakes may double clutch without a second breeding (due to sperm retention), so it may not be up to me at this point. I plan to feed her heavily to get her back into shape, if not for this year, then next season. I've got an African House snake that throws clutches seemingly at random (infertile)whether she's been bred or not. I may try just a short winter feeding break without any additional heat this year (temps without additional heat run 65 or so), depending on their weight and see if they exhibit breeding behavior in the spring as the days get longer. If not, then I'll drop them into the 50's next season.
Just curious about specific experiences people had with Westerns...

Lora