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Western hognose set up

cheryl40

cheryl40

New member
After getting my corn snakes and finding out everything i had been told is wrong im now looking to get a western hognose i saw one in a pet shop and they just fascinate me so before i finally make my mind up and buy one would love any help and advice you guys can give me from set up to basic care
 
Most hognose care sheets read like corn care sheets with the name of the species swapped out. This is workable enough with most North American colubrids, but I do not agree with it for hogs. While this care sheet is full of misspellings, bad grammar and typos, I think it's one of the better ones out there from an information standpoint: http://www.extremehogs.com/Caresheet.html

The biggest differences from corns are, hotter, dryer, and smaller meals more frequently. They are not very "smart" snakes. In feeding mode, they are slow to stop trying to eat what they have bitten -be it their water bowl, another snake put in to breed them, or their own bodies. I have had females eat their entire clutch of eggs. Usually females are the ones with stupid feeding responses and males are the ones that decide not to eat for weeks or even months at a time. Usually. Defensive bites are virtually unheard of, but feeding response bites are very possible. Adult females are about 3-4 times the size of males on average.
Make sure the cage is very well ventilated and warm. Provide deep substrate to burrow in. If you buy a baby, make sure it is feeding. A percentage that hatch will never eat a meal on their own, and some breeders sell these anyway. They are hands down my favorite reptile to keep in captivity, in spite of the frustrations that can be involved. Their personalities vary so much, and it's a lot like working with little Gaboon vipers that can't kill you (they just act like they can). I would never steer anyone from keeping these charming serpents, just know going in that they have a few requirements and offer a few challenges that corns do not. A yearling would be a good idea as a first pet if you can find one.
 
Thank you yes ive read they are not the easiest to keep feeding wise i do know i want a male if i do get one
 
I know this is probably a stupid question but how would i make a viv less humid and dryer like you say
 
I also noticed on the care sheet it mentioned lighting as i would be heating the viv with a UTH i wouldnt need a heat lamp but not sure what type of lighting to use would it need to be a special sort
 
Nope, just visible light. I do light my hognose room on 12 & 12 until about this time of year, and drop it to 8 until I brumate. They did fine for many years before I started doing this, but they have tended to stay on feed better, circumstantial as that may be.
 
Thanks for your help just want to make sure i get the set up right and what to expect before i go get him
 
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