Superarctic Superconda Hognose

Superarctic Superconda Hognose

Scientific name: Heterodon nasicus
Morph: Super Arctic Superconda
Adult size: Around 45–90 cm
Lifespan: 10–20+ years

📏 Size

• Males typically reach 45–60 cm.
• Females are usually larger, around 60–90 cm.

🏡 Housing

• Terrestrial and highly active burrowers.
• Adult minimum around 90 × 45 × 45 cm; larger is better.
• Provide 10–15 cm+ of burrowing substrate.
• Include snug hides, cork, branches and plenty of ground cover.
• Keep securely enclosed — Hognoses are excellent escape artists.

🌡️ Temperature

• Basking area: 30–32°C
• Warm end: 26–29°C
• Cool end: 21–24°C
• Night: 18–22°C
• All heating should be thermostatically controlled.

💡 Lighting

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

💧 Humidity

• Aim for around 30–50%.
• Keep the enclosure well ventilated and relatively dry.
• A slightly more humid area can be provided during shedding.

🐭 Food

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

💧 Water

• Provide fresh, clean water at all times.
• Use a sturdy bowl that cannot easily be tipped over.
• Replace whenever soiled.

🐍 Shedding

• Eyes may become cloudy and colours dull before shedding.
• Maintain appropriate humidity and provide a humid hide if necessary.
• Never pull retained skin away manually.

🤲 Handling

• Usually become very manageable with gentle, regular handling.
• Hognoses commonly hiss, flatten their neck, bluff strike or play dead when frightened.
• These behaviours are normal defensive displays.
• Avoid handling for 24–48 hours after feeding.

❤️ Health

• Monitor weight, appetite, breathing and shedding.
• Watch for mites, respiratory problems and retained shed.
• Good UVB, nutrition and appropriate temperatures help prevent health problems.

🧽 Cleaning

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

🏠 Before You Bring Your Snake Home

• Fully set up and temperature-test the enclosure beforehand.
• Have deep substrate, hides, heating, UVB and water ready.
• Ensure the enclosure is escape-proof.

⚠️ Important Bits

• Super Arctic Superconda is a colour/pattern morph of the Western Hognose, not a separate species.
• Superconda produces a reduced-pattern appearance, while the Super Arctic gene contributes a paler, higher-contrast appearance.
• Deep, dry substrate is important for natural burrowing behaviour.
• Keep Hognoses singly housed.
• Give a new snake time to settle before beginning regular handling.