Fellow Creatures
Reptiles

Western Hognose Snake

Heterodon nasicus

Upturned snout and dramatic bluffing display  ·  Beginner

Western Hognose Snake

The original uploader was Dawson at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.5 — Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan
15-18 years
Adult size
Males 35-50cm, females 60-90cm
Min. habitat
Vivarium 90x45x45cm
Social needs
Solitary
Diet
Carnivore - frozen/thawed rodents
Time
Low - feed weekly, spot-clean
Cost
Low to Medium

Overview

  • Western hognose snakes are small colubrids named for the upturned, shovel-like snout they use to dig in sandy soil.
  • They are known for a theatrical defensive display, flattening the neck, hissing, and sometimes rolling over to play dead.
  • They are rear-fanged and produce a mild saliva that can cause localised swelling in people but is not considered medically dangerous to most.
  • Their manageable size and quirky behaviour make them popular pets.

Housing

  • A single adult does well in a 90x45x45cm vivarium with a deep, loose substrate that allows burrowing, such as a soil-sand mix or aspen.
  • They spend much of their time buried, so floor space and substrate depth matter more than height.
  • Provide a warm basking area of 30-32C and a cool side around 22-24C via a thermostat-controlled heat source.
  • Keep humidity low to moderate to prevent skin problems, and offer a humid hide during sheds.

Diet

  • Wild hognose snakes favour amphibians, but captives usually take appropriately sized frozen-thawed rodents.
  • Choose prey about as wide as the snake and feed juveniles every 5-7 days and adults weekly to fortnightly.
  • Females grow much larger than males and need bigger meals.
  • Some individuals are fussy and may need prey scented with toad or fish to start feeding.
  • Avoid overfeeding, as hognose snakes gain weight easily.

Health

  • Hognose snakes are hardy but prone to obesity from overfeeding, and to respiratory infections if kept too humid or cold.
  • Because they burrow, clean, dry substrate is essential to avoid skin and scale infections.
  • Watch for retained sheds and provide a humid hide during shedding.
  • Quarantine and mite-check new animals.
  • The mild venom means a defensive bite can cause swelling, so seek medical advice if you have an unusual reaction.

Temperament

  • Despite the dramatic bluffing, western hognose snakes are gentle and rarely bite defensively, preferring to hiss and play dead.
  • They are slow, deliberate, and easy to handle once they settle.
  • Food-response bites are more likely than defensive ones, so wash your hands before handling.
  • Their daytime activity and digging make them engaging to watch, and most tolerate handling well.

A good fit for

  • Beginners wanting a small snake
  • Keepers with limited space
  • Those who enjoy quirky behaviour
  • People wanting an active digging species

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Easily overfed and prone to obesity
  • Rear-fanged - bites can cause swelling
  • Some individuals are picky feeders
  • Needs deep substrate for natural burrowing
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