Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,

I have been out of the hobby for about 10 years after I lost most if my collection after the building I kept them in lost power and heat. I had several westerns and 5 trihogs...2 breeding pair. Question I have is since I have been gone what has happened to the trihogs breeders. I remember when I bought my pair for 200.00 out of egg and several breeders were selling that cheap.they use to be all over the classifieds. I have done some searches and only found a couple of breeders and hatchlings were 200.00 to 300.00 each. Was there just not a big enough market for them or were the snakes themselves not thriving? Just kinda curious cause I loved working with those guys! Thanks all!

Scott

I never purchased tricolor hogs because of what I have read of their more restrictive requirements: they need more humidity than Westerns; they are not adapted to live on mice only - apparently they can more easily get fatty liver disease on a mouse diet (I do not know this for fact, just what I have read.) Also, they do not do well in rooms that have a larger temperature swing.

Not sure how difficult the tricolors are in reality. I love their look, but I got the more bullet-proof Western hogs instead, and I bet many others think similarly.

It might make it easier for you if you looked at snakes a different way.
You said tricolors need more humidity then western hogs. The reality is all snakes require the exact same needs as far as hydration.
Its the skin that makes a difference. There are thicker skinned reptiles, and thinner skinned reptiles. Of course, thin porous skinned reptiles, dry out faster at low humidity. that is, they loose water faster.
If you do not have cages that dehydrate them, then they are all about the same to keep. Its all about air movement.
Remember, in nature, tricolored hogs, are fossorial, as are western hogs. Both spend the vast majority of their lives, in the ground where there is little air movement and water loose.
In fact, most snakes in nature seek shelters that are aprox 50% humidity. They have no need to loose water, or gain it. So if you do not dehydrate them, then 50% humidity is perfect and what they normally pick. Try thinking about this, best wishes