Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I really want to get one of these snakes. Particularly like the tricolors, but I'm worried about them being rear-fanged. I work with my hands and am worried that if I get tagged by one of these snakes my fine motor movement will be affected. Is this possible? I hear their heads are small so- if I handle it with gloves would that be enough prevention? Please let me know,

Rafael

If you get bitten by a hognose, it will be purely through your own negligence. They do not bite as a defense, only through a feeding response. Your hands would have to smell like food, or handle them soon after feeding. I have experience with people getting bitten with their hands smelling like a biscuit, and a leather glove.

The tricolors are hognoses only by common name, they are distantly related to the North American hognoses, so it is not safe to make any inferences about their venom from experiences with Heterodon.

Special handling methods are not required, simply wash her hands before. And being technically venomous should not alter at all your decision to get one. Where I used to work, Western hognoses were used specifically for kindergarten classes to introduce children to snakes.
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Virginia Herping
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHS
Virginia Herpetological Society
http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS

If there is a just God, how humanity would writhe in its attempt to justify its treatment of animals. - Isaac Asimov

I've kept my captive bred tri-color hognoses for over 3 yrs and they have not even struck at me once. If startled they will rattle their tail against the enclosure and flatten themselves that's all. When they were neonates for the 1st few weeks they would secret a pungent odor when picked up but they no longer exhibit this behavior.
I used to own a pair of western hognose. When startled they would hood, hiss and strike but always with their mouths closed and has never bitten me.
Both species always taste whats put in front of their nose with their tongue and will only open their mouth to take it if its a food item. As Colchicine has stated, if you hands are free of scent from food, you will not be bitten.
Food for my snakes may be frozen mice or occasional bits of fish from my deep sea fishing trips.
Dennis

I too wondered the same thing when I first got a western hog. I was bitten once but only because of what your previous response to the post stated. I had been handling pinkies and immediately picked up my hog as soon as he finished swallowing his pinky to put him back in his cage, even so he couldn't get a grip on my hand with his teeth and there wasn't even a scratch as evidence. He will bluff you and stike closed mouth but settles down as soon as I lift him up.

scroll down to my posting on Nov. 30 titled, "I got bit..." it is now a non-issue for me.

I told you so!

I let my kids play with hognose snake more then any other snake just because I know they will not be bitten. its so funny to see adults jump when my 5 year old girl holds one up to her face and it hisses at her and strikes at her but will never open its mouth. I would NEVER let this take place if I thought there was a chance of her being bitten !!!

just get one and see for your self! you wont be disapointed !

JIM

I was the same way before i got my first hog. Now i have 12 hogs. They are great. I dont recommend handling them after touching food, not that you should anyways after they eat. Im a little lazy and handle mine with mice scent on my hands sometimes. Its a little scary, i have been struck at by one of my very aggresive females, but even then i have not been bitten. Once you pick them up, they are just curious more than anything. I cant imagine one of my snakes biting me. If they did, it would be b/c of my laziness and stupidity. If your cautious, have fun and enjoy without worries. Go ahead and wear gloves if you feel better. You will love these snakes either way, never boring.

I have read of people being bitten, mostly b/c they wanted to though or they had been handling mice then left their hand too close (i mean in front of their face and paying no attention). After a min or so they were bitten. I have never seen a serious case though. I'd rather be bitten by a hog than any python or boa though. LOL, wait until the snake hisses and you grab her, you will be scared, but soon you can see past the bluffs. Happy New Year!
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Jeff M.
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2.4 w.hogs
2.5 albino RES
2.4 spotted turtles
--->2.7 albino mice feeder breeding colony

Ha Ha ha...Alright. Thanks for all of your input. It's exactly what I wanted to hear. I'm glad to see that you all love your hogs. I can't wait to get one of my own. Thanks again.

Rafael