Hey guys and gals, I've got a situation here with a WC hog-nosed snake. I've had it since Sept. and haven't been able to find any toadies for it.
Technically it's hibernation time here in Michigan but I've got no place with the right temps I can do that. My only other option is to beg for live toads from anyone here that might still be able to finds some. I'd be willing to pay a small price plus shipping for a dozen or so. If anyone is up for it jerk my chain. Thanks in advance.

Quig

I think all the toads around me have holed up for the winter. I wish I could help.

Did you check out some classifieds? I know there are some dealers who sell feeder toads for a reasonable price. Its the shipping part thats the problem.

Maybe you could find one frog or toad at a local pet shop and use it for scenting? Maybe wouldnt work with a WC hoggie but its a thought if all else fails.

This might be a stupid question but have you tried converting it to scented mice? Perhaps we can get you a toad that you can try scenting mice with?

The classifieds never crossed my mind, DUHHH. I've checked local pet shops with no luck. I've got an Eastern Grey tree Frog and tried using him for scenting but the hog was NOT being fooled:D. Was hopin' somebody in here from the deep south was up for a toad hunt.:D. Think I'll buzz the classifieds.

Quig

Tosha, I've tried scenting mice with gollum:D HE was not impressed. The snake wasn't fooled either. Think I'll do like V said and check the classifieds.

Tosha, I've tried scenting mice with gollum:D HE was not impressed. The snake wasn't fooled either. Think I'll do like V said and check the classifieds.

If I lived in the south brother Id be The Great White Toad Hunter. But Im up north. No toadies for me.

Check fishing bait shops, a lot of times they have frogs...
you might could even find some tadpoles online - like i know kids raise them for science projects...

Check fishing bait shops, a lot of times they have frogs...
you might could even find some tadpoles online - like i know kids raise them for science projects...


Appreciate the thought but the bait shops up here don't carry frogs or toads. Only tadpoles I could find were treefrog tads. Thanks again.

Quig...no help here as we are in Indiana but best of luck on the quest. Maybe Jenea will chime in for some additional help.

Quig...no help here as we are in Indiana but best of luck on the quest. Maybe Jenea will chime in for some additional help.



LOL, I PMd her first thing. I got some good advice but she couldn't help me either. I think all the toadfrogs are dug in for the winter. It's still got some good weight to it. If I can find a spot where I can regulate the temp properly I can still brumate it.

Tadpoles may still do the trick for you Quig. Definitely worth a shot. Otherwise I've heard scenting with anoles sometimes works as well...and as we know...most pet stores carry anoles.

Also, being WC he may be more sensitive to pressure changes and slight temp changes, causing him to go into a self induced brumation... maybe try dropping his temps for a few weeks, and then raising him back up...it may trick him and get him eating again.

...waits for the hog queen to give her two cents.

:D

Just throwing this out there.... could you just pop him in the fridge for a while until you can find toads for him again?

I am in Houston so I could look around for some toads for you.

Just throwing this out there.... could you just pop him in the fridge for a while until you can find toads for him again?

I am in Houston so I could look around for some toads for you.

My fridge is kept a bit to cold for that. And then there's the ol' lady, who has trouble enough with the rat pups I keep in the freezer :lol:.

I WOULD appreciate your trying to find me a couple toads though. Even frogs will work. Thanks for the ideas though Diana.

I know south Florida is still warm enough. Got any takers out there?

Quig

Do you have a closet on an outside wall in your house? This is how I used to brumate my colubrids. The closet I used always stayed much cooler than the rest of my house so it worked well for keeping rubbermaids with corns and hoggs in them! If you have a cold corner of a basement available this works quite well too!

Realize that barometric pressure has just as much to do with triggering nature brumation as temps so if you all have been having a lot of snow storms then this could be making the snake not wanting to eat as well.

Quig I haven't forgotten about you... been looking around and haven't seen any yet, even on the warmer days. One of my friends is going to drain her pool soon though, and last time we did that there were a ton of toads in there.

Quig I haven't forgotten about you... been looking around and haven't seen any yet, even on the warmer days. One of my friends is going to drain her pool soon though, and last time we did that there were a ton of toads in there.

:yourock:

Keep me informed. It's been cold up here lately and if I keep him/her on an outside wall I can get the temps down to about 55-60. I know that's not cold enough but he's still holding his weight so I'll just pray he can hold out.

No toads down here. I have used anoles in the past. And also had a buddy swear by water from tuna fish. He even had a hog that would eat the tuna off his fingers. A buddy would freeze a ton of anoles and cut a small piece off and mince it up with a little water than dip the pinkey or mouse in it seemed to work.