First Year Breeding Hognoses

Colubrids Hognose Snakes
1

Hello! This is my first post to the community, but I’m hoping y’all more experienced can help someone breeding their western hogs for the first time:

A little bit of husbandry; I’ve been following everything I’ve been taught to do by mentors–their cages are an ambient 80f on the colder end with the other end being a few degrees higher. Their beding is aspen shavings, but they have an area that is darker and a bit more humid. In addition, both girls have 1.5 tubberware lay boxes with a mix of ground coco and spagnum moss they can go into whenever they want. In addition, they have other hides and enrichment materials. I waited until each girl measured around 300g and both were over three years old before pairing.

I paired two of my female hogs for their first time with two of my males over the last few months, and they both are gravid. My first one (named M), didn’t look gravid at all and she started popping out five slugs last Tuesday before stopping. I’ve been working with my vet and we aspirated out one egg but she looks like she has more. Should we continue to aspirate or wait for her to pass them? It’s been much longer than I’m comfortable waiting. M is one of my sweetest snakes with amazing genetics, and I’m trying to breed for both of these factors, so I don’t want to potentially lose her either.

My second one (named S), is obviously gravid, but I’m not sure if I’m off with timing. As this is my first time breeding, I am not super familiar spotting ovulation. But I do have pretty definite records when I’ve seen my girl S lock with her male. She laid what I thought was a pre-lay shed on May 25th, but as it’s two weeks past and she’s urinating/pooping fine, I think I may be off. She is full of eggs. I have a camera in with her so I don’t continuously disturb her.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

1 Like
2

If you had to aspirate one egg and she hasn’t passed any more since you need to get her back to the vet to get the rest, it seems she is unable to pass them.

I say this with nothing but care and kindness, if she is having difficulty passing slugs I’d imagine it wouldn’t be any different for her trying to pass viable eggs- if not worse. I dont recommend that you try to breed her again.

For your other girl, how is her behavior? Has she taken any meals as of late? Does she seem restless?

2 Likes
3

For M: Thank you! It’s an unfortunate thing I am learning getting into breeding. I’ll be working to aspirate the rest and will retire her to stay as a pet.

For S: She did not take the mouse I offered a few days ago (but did take the previous time I offered a calcium dusted mouse) and is presenting nesting behaviors. I am worried as it is now two weeks past what I thought was her pre-shed.

2 Likes
4

I’d say she’s very close if she refused her last meal, give her some time and continue to monitor.

I’ve had other colubrids go just a bit past 2 weeks post shed.

1 Like
5

Thank you! I may be just paranoid after having issues with M at the same exact time.

2 Likes
6

Its understandable, I’d probably be in the same boat as you if that happened.

I hope that your girl M has a speedy recovery :crossed_fingers:

2 Likes
7

M passed her last egg, so now she is on the path of recovery.

2 Likes
8

Fantastic. Whew!

1 Like