Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm interested in many snakes, and am looking to get my first snake in the next 3-6 months.(After more research) I'm wondering about how the hognose like handling, and what its temperment is compared to milks and corns. I really like how the hog looks, and am curious if it is a nervous snake. Also, how hard is it to get bitten by one? (I'm a bit concerned about those back teeth.) Thanks.

WESTERN hognose are great, easy going snakes! As long as you buy an established eater. I don't think a single western hog has ever bitten out of aggression. The rare bite usually just come from peoples feeding mistakes. THESE LITTLE SNAKES HAVE TONS OF PERSONALITY They are awesome little snakes. My little girl pretends to strike at me only if I do it to her with my finger first! Shes pretty funny!

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LIZARDS
0.0.1 Monkey-Tail Skink- "Bubba"
1.1 Irian Jaya Blue Tongue Skinks- "Sammy & Sausage Girl"
1.0 Indonesion BTS- "Don"
0.0.1 Tanimbar Island BTS- "Sebastian
1.0 Kei Island BTS- "Huckleberry Blue"
0.0.1 Ornate Uromastyx- "Spike"
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko- "Sasha"

SNAKES
1.0 Green Tree Python- "Pink Floyd"
0.0.1 Sonoran Gophersnake- "Toro"
0.1 Western Hognose- "Piggy"

CHELONIANS
0.0.1 Egyptian Tortoise- "Tank"

I hope I don't get assaulted for posting this on the hog forum, but...

I would really suggest a corn first, and if that works out, then a hog, especially if you've never owned a snake before. I never have, and I did tons of research before getting my corn. There are tons of color morphs, they are cheap, he ate on the very first try and has never refused food even when in shed, and he has a ton of personality. He comes out of his little cave whenever anyone enters the room and is always out and about, and he tolerates handling really well.

My western hog, on the other hand, spends most of her time buried in her substrate, so I don't see her out all that often. Even though she was an established eater when I bought her, she did not eat for five months and I became very worried about her. She doesn't seem to like handling all that much, but she's still young. I love watching her burrow and she's very cute with a great personality, and she's also very funny (she is frightened of the tongs I use to feed and puffs herself up whenever she sees them).

Both are wonderful snakes, and I would recommend both wholeheartedly. However, for someone who has never really fed a snake before and might not be comfortable braining, liquifying, or have trouble finding a frog/toad or lizard to scent with, I think that corns are generally easier. Even though I was aware that they were finicky eaters, I was incredibly worried about my hog when she would not eat and went through a pinky a week for five months. The plus side to this, however, is that if you have a corn, you can just give the rejected pink to them and they won't complain. I think that having a snake that eats well and consistently is very important for a beginner, to help them get established.

Just my $0.02. Let us know what happens!

~ Laura

As far as biting is concerned, you really have nothing to worry about. I have captured wild hognose, and even they just puff themselves up and flatten their necks, then calm down. Captive bred bites are incredibly rare, and the most one will probably do is strike close-mouthed when it's really young, and even then they get over that.

The feeding issues lead me to believe that hognoses are not not the best choice for a first snake. They can be very frustrating. I would start with something else and get a western hognose as a second snake. Outside of the feeding issues, they are just amazing snakes!

Jim

I agree as well. You dont even have to keep your first snake, after you get used to caring for a snake and feeding it, give it away or sell it, and then get a hognose. Or go by the official herper motto "theres ALWAYS room for another shoebox!!!"
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- Happy herping!

KE

Feeding these guys are just too complicated for beginners. Just scan the forums and look at all the people with non-feeding hogs. Go with a corn and you won't regret it.
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