Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have two W.hogs from the same clutch we believe. The female was received about 2 years ago at 10 grams in weight. she has eaten fairly regularly and at least 30-50 XSP/p and still weighs 16 grams! She has been to the vet twice and is clean off all parasites.Why won't she grow? Anyone seen this before?

The Male is very slow growing too. Just not quite so drastic. if anyone has encountered this I can get more specific with dates and feeds.

Whats important is conditions, temps, security, etc. Type of cage. Also How you feed it.

If the above is normal, then I have to wonder how often you fed your snake, I think you said 60 pinks in two years.

That comes out to one every two weeks. I am not sure why. But I feed my neonates every other day and they grow like weeds, strong and healthy. also you said, xsp. Is that extra small pinkies. Hogs have thick bodies and big giant mouths. Which means they are built to eat large items.

I work with hogs in the field and new hatchlings. Consume adult green toads/spadefoot toads, and they are many times larger then a pinky. They also consume lizards that are three or four times larger then pinks.

Again, the above is assuming your vet was correct and there is nothing physically wrong with your snake.

From my limited experience, we have had females grow from hatchling weight(5 -8 grams) to almost two hundred grams in one year. And I am still learning about these goofy creatures. best wishes

Thanks FR. Like I was saying "They eat fairly regularly" We feed them 2x per week. Sometimes they don't eat though. Without looking at our records 30-50 xs pinkies was a guess. If I give them a larger prey item I am afraid they will eat even less frequently.

I would start by feeding more as long as your husbandry can support it.

I have limited experience with hogs, but quite a bit with other snakes. My 2 mex hogs that I have now are given 2 prey items every sat and wed that are approx the same girth as the snake. i've done that since i recieved them and they have more than doubled in size in 4 months.

I'll add that they were very picky eaters prior to me recieving them.. only eating scented pinks on rare occasions. I doubled their cage size, provided a warmer hot spot (95), and added a couple hides (paper towel tube and microfiber rag) and they started pouncing on prey items. they are ready to rock as soon as i pull their cages off the shelf.

Aaron, when you say you increased their cage size, from what to what?

Also do you use a wet hide?

Thanks Aaron

what is "30-50 XSP/p" and your idea of fairly regularly?

ime, most hogs that are fed properly sized prey 2x a week, grow well. that is providing they have proper husbandry.

i have one that did not eat regularly until she was 6 months old. now she eats 2x a week like clockwork. i have dealt with several that were "maintenance fed" by the breeders, and have stunted growth. i keep very accurate records, and their growth rate is not even close to ones that have been fed 2x a week since hatching.

although... even with the slow growers, or ones i consider stunted from maintenance feeding, they still have gain much more than 6g in 2 yrs.

so, i would be checking your husbandry... ambient temps, hot spot, hides, water, and feeding 2x a week.

Thanks Jon,

30-50 extra small pinkies. we feed (Wed. and Sun.) 2x per week. Sometimes they eat sometimes not and have tried many scents. They have eaten both scented and unscented don't seem to care wich when they do eat. So, for the exact number eaten I would have to check the records.
Husbandry is the same for all 50 plus hogs we have. 80 degrees in the front and a 90 degree spot in the back, hides, aspen and water. Size of tub is a "vision" neonate tub L18" W5" and 3.5" tall. There is light at the front of the tub atleast 12 hours a day. Because of the rack the back of the tub is always a little bit darker.

Its interesting, those two don't like your set up. I am new with hogs, but have found them finicky until the base temp is over 85F.
I still have concerns with males, as they grow super fast until they reach about 14 inches, which is sexually mature, then all they care about is girls(typical teenager) In the field, I have seen males up to 25 inches. Females for me are growing well, but not super fast. They have been reaching 20 inches in one year, from hatchling size. Which is a bit slow for my care with other snakes.
We have a sand boa that we obtained in Nov. it was new born, its already over 15 inches and feeding on mice. Or a thayeri that we obtained as a hatchling(9" and grew to 37 inches in one year.

I think the question is, how are others growing for you in that setup?

sounds about like my setup, expect i raised my hot spot to 94. i also have my light on a 16hr a day timer. i have read from several breeders that light is a major contributing factor to cycling.

i believe that some are just naturally better feeders and grower than others. i have a couple that never refuse a meal even in shed. i also have a couple that pick and chose when they eat. they are all individuals with their own personalities and tweeks.

or

maybe you do have a dwarf hog? excuse me... let me be politically correct and say little people hog lol jk

jonathan