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Q: Getting A Western Hognose To Eat
Posted By:

DBEARDIEBREEDER

I was wondering if anyone on here has had trouble with getting their western hognoses to eat.I got babies off of a guy that couldnt get them to eat. I knew i was getting into some work here but i figured i would atleast try.I got one to eat a pinkie but it regurged it a few days later.i also tried scenting with a frog.Scenting with  tuna.Feeding them guppies.They just dont seem interested in anything so i was wondering if anyone has these snakes and has any tricks for me .Someone has told me to just give them tuna.I havent tried this yet.And im up for any suggestions ..Thanks

Points: 150
Topics: Feeding , Regurge , General Health
Tags: Feeding, Refusal, Regurge
Species: Other Colubrids > Other Colubrids > Heterodon nasicus
Administrative: Show/Hide

Member Comment 3/10/2009 9:20:33 AM

FyreFocks
Luckily, my babies eat. My roommates adult hasnt eaten, yet. Though i attribute that to stress from being brought into a new enviroment. I have 2 babies that eat f/t and 1 baby that has to be fed live, and shes secretive so i have to put the pinky in her enclosure at night and leave it there. According to Kim Heller, the best trick is to brain the pinky. Just cut open its head and expose brain and blood. That should get your hogs interested. You could try scenting with egg yolk as well.

I suppose i should have asked this first- how do you have them set up?
 
Author Comment 3/10/2009 9:58:42 AM

DBEARDIEBREEDER
they are together for now they have borrowing substrate undertank heat one side hide on other.i got a light on them during the day on a timer.I tried seperating them in there own cups to eat still nothing left them go over night and for days with the food still nothing
 
Member Comment 3/10/2009 10:02:19 AM

FyreFocks
How big is the cage youre keeping them in? Also, would it be possible to give them each their own cage? Go to this website     http://www.extremehogs.com    and read their caresheet very carefully. Before these guys will sell a hog to you, you need to agree to their terms of care. Ive taken their advice and it seems pretty solid.
 
Author Comment 3/10/2009 10:14:06 AM

DBEARDIEBREEDER
10gallon tank i can seperate them  im gonna try feeding again today and see what happens..
 
Member Comment 3/10/2009 10:20:53 AM

FyreFocks
That could be the problem. Hogs like small, confined spaces. Too much open space and they stress.

When was the last time you tried feeding them?
 
Author Comment 3/10/2009 11:09:11 AM

DBEARDIEBREEDER
about 4-5 days ago 
 
Member Comment 3/10/2009 9:00:59 PM

Joseph Jenkins
Do u try feeding in or out of the containers?
 
Member Comment 3/10/2009 9:01:38 PM

Joseph Jenkins
I meant in or out of their enclosures
 
Author Comment 3/10/2009 11:07:46 PM

DBEARDIEBREEDER
ive tried in and out,Im gonna try scenting and get them new enclosers tommorrow  see what happens
 
Assisted Answer 3/11/2009 9:58:15 PM

Kelan
I don't know too much but I do have one.
I'd try putting them in shoe boxes, leaving them somewhere warm, quiet, and darkish if possible for a couple of days, then putting a pinky in there over night.
Also, I think the natural diet is mainly toads and lizards so I'd try scenting with those if anything.
 
Member Comment 3/22/2009 7:07:18 PM

Brewster320
Ive also heard for some odd reason that chicken broth also can get fussy eaters to eat. Dont know why but it does.
 
Accepted Answer 5/15/2009 10:09:40 PM

Triangle Reptiles
I begin with unscented f/t pinks immediately after they hatch from the egg.  I have even had hatchlings eat before completely leaving the egg.  Westerns shed immediately after hatching, so often will eat imediately.  If they refuse unscented, I scent with Mediterranean gecko.  2 years ago I took one (dead) away from my neighbors cat and crushed it up and use it for scenting.  Freeze it in a little water and rub a pinky's nose on it and it works 90 % of the time.  Some people swear by tuna scenting, salmon scenting etc.,   If all else fails, you may need to assist feed.  I use the "ham" off of a large pinky, GENTLY pry the mouth open and slide the ham in.  A few assist feedings and they usually take off!!   Good luck!
 
Member Comment 1/17/2011 1:19:36 AM

abi21491

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