Sorry Dan, let me alter your comments, I have kept and bred snakes of many species, from Fla. to Washington to New Orleans, and here in Tucson.



About what hogs like, its true, they prefer dry and humid. As do most snakes.

If Dan would ask question why I say Chronic, I would answer with a logical answer.

The most simple is, hogs like many snakes, shelter in tight places where there is little air movement. Not for extended time in Open air, like in a high percentage of captive situations. In this case, hognose spend the vast majority of their lives in the ground like an earthworm. Finding areas that range from 50 to 60% humidity, for long term shelter. Which is a neutral humidity, but they do not expose their body to drying air. Even when they crawl on the surface, its more common after rains, mourning and evening when its humid close to the ground. And yes, and when hydrated, they will move across open areas.

About cages, cages are a unit of their own, they are not bound by state. In most cases, they are in rooms, in buildings, and all that reflects ambient humidity of the room. As a person who has worked in the construction field(mostly zoos) houses across the country are built with the same indoor materials that are not moisture tolerant. All will rot with high humidity. Which kinda tells you that across the country, indoors is fairly uniform, particularly in winter. Outdoors is another story. but then, I don't keep snakes outdoors. torts and lizards yes, not snakes.

I will be posting a fun test soon that deals exactly with this.

Lastly while working on a research grant, I was asked to critique, the herp department, so I researched death records of many zoos. A common trend was long term dehydration. In the public, screen lids, ventilation holes, heating and air conditioning of rooms, contribute to chronic dehydration. Talking with herp vets realed a trend of visceral and skeletal gout and kidney problems. part 1

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