Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I am thinking of getting a hognose, and I have read several care sheets already. I was just curious if anyone had any ideas or recommendations for someone who's just curious for general information. I'm going to a reptile sale in Des Moines, Iowa this weekend, and hoping to find one there. Is there anything I should be aware of or concerned about when purchasing a reptile from a show? This will be my first show, so I'm very excited, but not quite sure what to look out for.

Smiles,
Alinda

- Westerns are the best first hog, although I hope this will not be your first snake.

- It seems that all vendors will claim their hogs are eating, but if you look through this forum you will see a dozen people who have had problems getting them to eat even months after being purchased. This is a fact of life with hognoses, and you have to be prepared for it.

Good luck!
-----
...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)

Nope, this won't be my first snake. I had a kenyan sand boa the past year, but sadly she escaped after feeding a few weeks ago when I didn't snap her lid shut because I didn't want to disturb her. Its a mistake I won't be making again, no worries. I'm looking for a small to medium sized snake that will go well in the housing I had for my previous snake, as well as being unique and having an interesting look. I looked at several python species, but unfortunately everything else I liked (blood pythons etc.) had high humidity requirements that I am unable to provide consistently.

I've always thought hognoses were cute, and I'm prepared to scent food if necessary, but I'd rather avoid it if possible.

Smiles,
Alinda