What started out as catching reptiles in his hometown in Texas, eventually grew into a breeding business for the man behind Hognose’s Etc. Since 2012, Kevin Fisher has been working with Eastern, Southern, and Mexican Hognose snakes, along with a couple other species, and has been active in finding new ways to improve their health and breeding success. One of the biggest changes he’s made in recent years? Swapping out traditional rodent feeders for Reptilinks, and seeing remarkable results because of it!
His longtime love for the genus Heterodon began with the Eastern Hognose, which he says has always done well in his care, but until recently, his feeding strategy was traditional: “Prior to Reptilinks, I fed solely a rodent diet,” he explained.
Trying Something New
In 2021, he began using Reptilinks with his hognose snakes.
“I was curious if they would be healthier than rodents, so I decided to try them,” he said.
That curiosity ended up turning into a dietary shift for his snakes - all of his holdbacks and adults in particular. His preferred product?
5–8 gram Bullfrog leg Reptilinks, often with quail eggs mixed in.
The results, according to Kevin, were significant. “I’ve noticed they are growing faster and the animals look leaner, versus being more chunky on the rodents,” he said. “I’ve seen a big difference with my Eastern and Southern Hognose’s health and breeding. They are living much longer on the links.”
Better Health, More Eggs
Not only have his snakes shown improved body condition and longevity, but reproductive success has also improved.
“My Southern Hognoses are laying more eggs on the links,” Kevin told us. “Typically the Southern Hognose would live about 5 – 6 years on mice, and now I have 8 year old females still healthy and laying.”
One of his standout success stories involves one of those older females: “I had an 8 year old female Southern Hognose lay 22 eggs two years in a row. Fourteen is supposed to be the max clutch.”
What’s in the Future?
In addition to his established breeding projects, he’s also working on a unique albino project. “I unexpectedly hatched an albino Southern Hognose in 2017 from normal phase animals not known to be het for anything,” he said. “Since then I’ve produced many more albinos, and I feel so much better knowing I’m giving them a natural diet like Reptilinks.”
While he admits that success with picky hatchlings can still vary — sometimes requiring toad scented pinkies or links — he views Reptilinks as a superior diet, particularly for species like hognoses that consume primarily amphibians in the wild.
“The fact that they are a natural whole food diet for amphibian eaters is what sets Reptilinks apart,” he said. “I would definitely recommend Reptilinks to other breeders because I believe they are a superior diet to mice when feeding Hognose snakes.”
Looking ahead, it appears that the future for Kevin Fisher: Hognoses, Etc. is Reptilinks.
“My goal is to continue working with Eastern and Southern Hognose, and Reptilinks will be the food of choice for my animals.”
When asked to sum up his experience with Reptilinks in a single word?
“Outstanding!”
Connect with Kevin
Would you like to connect with Kevin? You can find his business by following the links down below!
Instagram -
https://www.instagram.com/kfisher4234/?api=stake%E3%80%90GB77.CC%E3%80%91.aviu&h l=am-et
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KevinFisherHognosesEtc