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Post by jamesc on Apr 22, 2007 19:10:59 GMT -6
Well I am strictly an invert person, tarantulas, scorpions, centipedes, but today one of my residents found what I believe is a hognose snake outside. I work very close to Buffalo Bayou downtown. If anyone has any tips or can help me with the care of this snake, I would love any input. I have a 20 gallon long All-Glass Aquariums brand critter cage that locks at home that I was saving for a scorpion colony, but this might be my newest pet. The snake is about 18 inches long from what I can see. It did the telltale flattening of the neck when we peeked in on it. I will take some photos when I get home from work. The resident that saw it first said it was 4 feet long when he was describing it. The guy who had it in his van for when I came to work pulled out this Folger's can and I was like, how the heck would they get a 4 foot snake in there. Well from what I have read it is a rear-fanged snake with very mild venom so I assume that this is the right forum but feel free to move it if it is not.
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Post by Viper on Apr 22, 2007 20:54:43 GMT -6
Well, they have a mild venom that seems to be developed for use against amphibians...their normal diet. Most folks prefer the Eastern hognose as pets due to the fact that they are heartier and easier to care for. Westerns will need a steady diet of amhibians such as frgs and salamanders...these can be hard to find on a regular basis, and expensive to purchase for food IF you can find them.
I know this isn't what you want to hear...but he'd likely be better off turned loose around the bayou, Bear Creek reservior, or somewhere similar..
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Post by jamesc on Apr 22, 2007 21:20:15 GMT -6
Yeah I kinda figured. I am not big on keeping anything from the wild like that but I definately wanted to get it away from the guys here. I see a lot of frogs here at work all the time and lizards all over. How often do they need to be fed?
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Post by TimCole on Apr 22, 2007 21:21:30 GMT -6
Reverse that info! Westerns feed on mice and Easterns feed on toads & frogs.
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Post by jamesc on Apr 22, 2007 21:54:16 GMT -6
Awesome, Char's is almost next door so mice wouldn't be a problem.
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Post by Viper on Apr 22, 2007 21:58:18 GMT -6
Oops!
Good call Tim! Sorry about that James!
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Post by LadyViper on Apr 22, 2007 21:59:16 GMT -6
Can you post a pic?? I am curious now,.... if it's eastern or western....
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Post by jamesc on Apr 22, 2007 22:31:43 GMT -6
Yepp I will get some photos taken as soon as I get it home, I am still at work. Do we have both here in Houston? It was caught right outside my work, and I'm in Downtown.
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Post by LadyViper on Apr 22, 2007 22:39:46 GMT -6
I may be wrong but I think we do have both in Houston.
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Post by jamesc on Apr 22, 2007 22:42:47 GMT -6
It is kinda hard to look here at work but it looks to be dark greenish overall with a dark, maybe black diamond pattern. I'll get the photos up when I get home.
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Post by jamesc on Apr 23, 2007 5:54:56 GMT -6
Well here ya go, the pic I promised. Hopefully this helps. I was wrong about the colors, the red can it was in distorted them a bit. These are the true colors, pretty nice looking.   |
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rapture
Neonate
Snake lover
Posts: 16
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Post by rapture on Apr 23, 2007 7:19:53 GMT -6
Pretty little Eastern... feed it toads.
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Post by jamesc on Apr 23, 2007 7:36:03 GMT -6
Ok, I'll see what I can do. Might just end up letting it go back where it was found. I am not big on keeping wild caught stuff.
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Post by LadyViper on Apr 26, 2007 13:11:34 GMT -6
Just curious, How do everything work out??? Did you release it?
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Post by jamesc on Apr 26, 2007 23:17:04 GMT -6
Well I hate to admit it but my phobia of snakes wasn't really realized until now. I am fine with seeing them and even holding calm snakes, but this one keeps doing that fake striking and hissing at me. Needless to say I have given it everything it needs but I can't get it out of the tank. I think Chad (OneSickPuppy) is coming by to pick it up eventually to realease it for me, I just can't do it safely. I wouldn't want to accidentally hurt it trying to get it into something to transport. I can deal with the most venemous scorpions in the world living a few feet from my bed but I can't get a snake rehoused that poops itself and dies as a defense ;D
It is in a 20 gallon with water and a reptile heat pad and a towel draped over the tank because it looked at me funny and hissed...
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