Hognose Snake

Hognose Snake

Scientific name: Heterodon nasicus
Common names: Western Hognose Snake
Adult size: Around 40–90 cm
Lifespan: 10–20+ years

📏 Size

• Males usually reach 40–60 cm.
• Females are generally larger, often 60–90 cm.

🏡 Housing

• Terrestrial and naturally spends time burrowing.
• Adult minimum around 90 × 45 × 45 cm, with larger preferred.
• Provide 10–15 cm+ of diggable substrate.
• Include at least two snug hides, plus cork, branches and clutter.

🌡️ Temperature

• Basking area: 30–32°C
• Warm end: 26–29°C
• Cool end: 21–24°C
• Night: 18–22°C
• Always use a suitable thermostat.

💡 Lighting

• Low-level UVB (around 2–5%) is beneficial.
• Provide a natural 10–12 hour day/night cycle.
• Ensure shaded areas are available.

💧 Humidity

• Generally 30–50%.
• Allow the enclosure to remain relatively dry with good ventilation.
• Provide a slightly more humid area during shedding.

🐭 Food

• Primarily fed appropriately sized frozen/thawed rodents.
• Juveniles generally eat every 5–7 days.
• Adults usually eat around every 7–14 days, depending on size and body condition.
• Avoid overfeeding.

💧 Water

• Provide a sturdy bowl of fresh, clean water at all times.
• Replace whenever dirty.

🐍 Shedding

• Eyes may become cloudy and colours dull before shedding.
• Maintain suitable humidity and provide a humid hide if required.
• Never pull off retained shed.

🤲 Handling

• Can become very tame with gentle, regular handling.
• Support the body and allow the snake to move naturally.
• Hognoses may hiss, flatten their neck, bluff strike or play dead when frightened.
• Avoid handling for 24–48 hours after feeding.

❤️ Health

• Monitor weight, appetite, breathing and shedding.
• Watch for respiratory infections, mites and retained shed.
• Persistent refusal of food accompanied by weight loss should be investigated.

🧽 Cleaning

• Spot-clean faeces and urates promptly.
• Remove soiled substrate as necessary.
• Clean and disinfect the enclosure and water bowl regularly.

🏠 Before You Bring Your Snake Home

• Set up and temperature-test the enclosure beforehand.
• Have appropriate substrate, hides, heating, UVB and water ready.
• Make sure the enclosure is completely escape-proof.

⚠️ Important Bits

• Hognoses are excellent burrowers — provide deep substrate.
• Their defensive behaviour is normal and does not necessarily mean aggression.
• Do not house multiple Hognoses together.
• Never use loose heat sources without a thermostat.
• Give a new snake time to settle before starting regular handling.