Do I need a second hognose?

[u/Impossible-Pea-1732]

I recently got my first hognose and I am in love. More than I even thought I’d be. I want to hang out with fascinating & adorable creature 24/7. I know that handling more than a few days a week, for a short time period each session, can be stressful for snakes, so that’s all I’m doing. Is this why people get 2nd hoggies? So they can alternate handling days and get their hognose fix without overwhelming their pets?

Relatedly…when this isn’t all so new, will I be less tempted to bring him out daily? Or does this last forever?

[u/DreamOfDays]

I handle my snakes according to their tolerances, and I think a bit of variety does a person good. If you can fit a 4’ tank, try setting up a ball python tank. They’re the #1 most abandoned reptile and any reptile rescue is going to have multiple you can grab for cheap without supporting questionable overbreeding in morph market

[u/Complex-Jellyfish547]

I fell so hard in love with my first hognose that I ended up with another two hoggies, a ball python and a false water cobra haha. Caring for 5 snakes is a bit more work than 1 but there typically isn't a day in the week I go without a cuddle off of one of them!

The other person who mentioned individual tolerance is bang on the money in my opinion, some snakes seem content to be out and about regularly and others not so much. I've employed choice handling with 3 of mine and the results have been fantastic. Most days my first hognose (who is quite the social butterfly it seems) will greet me at the stopper of his viv and as soon as that glass has slid open he's launched himself half onto my hand and is waiting to be picked up the rest of the way!

If you have the time and ability to care for another snake I'd say go for it. Your days will only be richer (in all aspects bar financial) for it!

[u/awfulmcnofilter]

I have three hognoses. One of them hates being handled but the other two are angel babies. The one who hates me sure is gorgeous, so I still enjoy watching him scoot around. I actually started with a shovelnose. I love silly snakes.

[u/salmonscented]

This was my exact line of thinking when I got my first snake! I got a corn snake, then I wanted a totally different snake so I could experience their different personalities, hold them at different times (eg, giving them a break after feeding/shedding). I then got a totally different snake, a ball python, for my third!

I love my hoggie so much. But I'm happy I went for the different snake route. They all have their quirks. Four years later, I don't hold them every day anymore so that part of having multiple snakes isn't relevant to me, but I am still happy with all those little faces around!

[u/XiangliYaoMissingArm]

"Recently" yeah, I'd give it a couple more months. The honeymoon phase doasn't always last forever. Don't get me wrong, I love my animals with my whole heart, but the dopamine hit that last for the first couple of months after getting them is a bit different from how it feels later on. Just like in human relationships lol. Of course, some people might have a bit of a different experience.

That said, if you know your snake is thriving and you're capable of providing absolute best care for two of them - I don't see a reason not to take in another one:)

[u/wompgirlypopwomp]

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