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Western Hognose Snake Care Sheet

Western Hognose Snake Care Sheet

Updated on July 28, 2022
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Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

Overview | Characteristics | Habitat | Feeding | Care | Supplies | Habitat mates | Health | FAQs

Western Hognose - Heterodon nasicus

Hognose Snake

Overview

The Western Hognose is a small colubrid with a big personality. They can be found through central areas of North America, south-central parts of Canada and areas of northern Mexico. These diurnal snakes are named for their unique upturned snout, which they use to dig and burrow in soft, sandy soil, as well as forage for prey. Their name, Nasicus, is derived from the Latin word, Nasus, which means nose. The western Hognose scales provides a rough texture and feel compared to the smoothness of other snakes. These little snakes are known for their big defensive tactics. When threatened, they are capable of letting out a loud hiss. They also are capable of flattening their bodies to appear larger and are known to flair out their necks like a Cobra but are not known to strike in defense. The most captivating display is when the Hognose plays dead. Captive-bred Western Hognose snakes are usually docile and tend to feed well. The Western Hognose is a mild-mannered snake but does produce a mild toxin in their saliva that is used to aid in the digestion of food.  

Typical appearance and behavior

  • Hognoses get their name from their unique upturned snout
  • The Western Hognose has keeled scales
  • This species is diurnal, spending the day foraging for food
  • The female Hognose can reach a length of 3 feet and are typically larger than males, which tend to grow to 2 feet or less
  • As your snake gets ready to shed, their eyes will turn a milky blue/grey over the course of a few days and their body color will start to dull and develop a whitish sheen; they may become irritable, so avoid handling if possible 
  • The captive-bred species come in an array of attractive color morphs 
  • Hognoses are  great actors, known for hissing, neck flaring or playing dead when threatened

 

Characteristics

Care Difficulty Intermediate
Average Life Span Up to 20 years with proper care
Average Adult Size 2–3 feet long depending on gender
Diet Carnivorous
Minimum Habitat Size 20L minimum for an adult

 

Habitat

Habitat size

Hatchlings may start in a 10-gallon habitat, but the size will need to be increased as the snake matures. At minimum, a 20L should be provided for an adult western Hognose to accommodate their normal behavior and exercise. The Hognose is a round dweller; therefore, a longer tank is recommended. Tanks should have a securely fitting screened lid to prevent escape and allow adequate ventilation. If the enclosure has doors, they must be locked, as Hognose snakes are notoriously good at escaping.

These snakes reach adult size in 2 to 4 years under ideal conditions, depending on the species.

Building your habitat

  • Substrate: Commercially available paper-based bedding is ideal, as it is digestible if accidentally ingested; aspen shavings are also acceptable
    • Avoid pine and cedar chips; they contain oils  that can irritate snakes’ skin and their respiratory tracts
    • Because Western Hognose snakes like to bury into substrate and rub their snouts to burrow, reptile carpet does not allow them to dig and bury themselves
    • Substrate should be deep enough for the snake to hide in
  • Decor: Western Hognose snakes like to have burrows in which to hide; burrows can be constructed from commercially sold rocks or logs that are arranged securely so as not to fall
    • Provide a hiding area just large enough for the snake to fit inside, as well as a branch or other décor to climb on
    • Ideally, there should be a hiding place at both the warm and cool ends of the tank; without hiding places, Western Hognose snakes get very stressed
    • Décor is also important for snakes to rub on when shedding
  • Humidity: Provide a water dish large enough for the snake to soak in to help sustain humidity levels, keep the snake hydrated and aid in shedding
    • Hognose snakes can handle arid conditions but should maintain the habitat between 30% and 50% humidity; monitor humidity level with a humidity gauge
    • Humidity should be higher during shedding; it may be increased during shedding by creating a humid hiding place containing moist sphagnum moss
    • Moss should be changed frequently to prevent mold growth
  • Temperature: Snakes are ectothermic reptiles, which means they rely on their environmental temperature to control their body temperature. To help them regulate their body temperatures, provide a temperature gradient (85–90°F for the warm end and 70–75°F for the cool end/nighttime) in the tank
    • Monitor temperature with at least two thermometers, one in the cool zone and the other in the hot (basking) zone
    • Heat may be provided by a heat bulb, ceramic heat bulb or an under-tank heating pad
    • Heat sources should be attached to thermostats to regulate temperatures; thermostats are especially important with heating pads, which can get hot and cause burns through the tank floor if not regulated properly
    • Hot rocks should not be used as a heat source, as they can burn reptiles
    • Reptiles not kept at the appropriate temperature ranges are more likely to become immunosuppressed and get sick
  • Lighting: While Hognose snakes do not require ultraviolet (UV) B light to survive, some studies suggest UVB light may increase snakes’ activity levels and aid in their overall health; providing snakes with a low-level UVB light helps provide a clear day/night cycle (with 10–12 hours of daylight) that Hognoses need to perform their normal daily activities
    • UV bulbs should be replaced every 6 months, as their potency wanes
    • Don’t leave white light on all the time; a nocturnal or infrared light should be used at night

Feeding

  • A well-balanced Hognose diet consists of appropriately sized frozen rodents, properly thawed and warmed; pinky or fuzzy mice may be fed to juveniles, while adult mice may be used as the snake matures
  • Live rodents should not be fed, as they may bite snakes who are not hungry and can cause life-threatening injuries; if, under any circumstances, you must offer live rodents to a snake, never leave them unattended in the tank with the snake because of the potential risk for injury to the snake

Things to remember when feeding your Hognose snake

  • Do not use a microwave to defrost frozen rodents, as microwaved rodents can have hot spots that can burn snakes’ mouths when they eat them
  • Do not prepare frozen rodents for feeding in the same area that you prepare human food; if it is unavoidable, be sure to thoroughly disinfect the area. See the Feeding Frozen/Thawed Foods Care Sheet for more information
  • Feed juveniles once a week and adults every 7 to 10 days
  • Feed in an empty tank, separate from the habitat, so that the snake doesn’t associate your hand, or the habitat lid opening with feeding and doesn’t accidentally ingest bedding off the habitat floor when eating
  • Fresh, clean water should always be available in an untippable bowl large enough for the snake to soak in; the bowl should be placed in the cool end of the habitat so that the water doesn’t evaporate too quickly
  • As snakes will not typically eat while shedding, avoid feeding when snakes are in shed

Care

  • Snakes will regularly shed their skin and the covering over their eyes (called the “eye cap” or spectacle); ensure habitat humidity is at an appropriate level to allow your snake to shed properly in a single long piece
  • Never try to remove retained eye caps by yourself, as you can easily cause damage; seek veterinary care if eye caps are retained

Where to buy a Western Hognose snake

Western Hognose snakes are available for purchase at your local Petco location, please call ahead to check availability.

Supplies

Habitat mates

  • Hognoses should be housed singly
  • Do not house different snake species together

Health

Signs of a healthy snake

  • Active and alert
  • Clear eyes (except when shedding)
  • No discharge or bubbles from eyes, nose or mouth
  • Eats and passes stool regularly
  • Supple skin without lesions, swellings, scabs, parasites (mites, ticks) or discoloration
  • Regularly sheds skin in one complete piece

Red flags (if you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian)

  • Unusually frequent or infrequent shedding
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy or reluctance to eat
  • Abnormal feces or lack of feces
  • Lesions, swellings, scabs, discoloration or parasites (mites, ticks) on skin
  • Labored breathing/breathing with open mouth
  • Difficulty shedding/shedding in numerous pieces/retained skin after shed
  • White, cheesy discharge or redness or scabs in mouth
  • Laying on back, unable to turn right side up, or prolonged staring (“stargazing”)

Common health issues

Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action
Health IssueDermatitis Symptoms or CausesBlisters, rapid shedding caused by skin infections from viruses, bacteria, fungus or parasites, or an unclean habitat or one that has inappropriate temperature or humidity. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian; clean the habitat and ensure proper temperature and humidity
Health IssueRespiratory tract disease Symptoms or CausesLabored breathing/open-mouth breathing, stretching neck out, mucus or bubbles in mouth, eyes or nostrils. Can be caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, fungus or parasites, or a habitat that has inappropriate temperature or humidity. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian and ensure proper temperature and humidity.
Health IssueStomatitis Symptoms or CausesRed, swollen or scabbed gums and/or white, cheesy discharge in the mouth, loss of teeth, decreased appetite, weight loss. May be caused by bacterial, viral or fungal infections, or inappropriate temperature or humidity. If untreated, may be fatal. Suggested ActionImmediately consult your veterinarian and ensure proper temperature and humidity.
Health IssueTicks and mites Symptoms or CausesParasites on skin can cause itchiness, inflammation and hyperactivity and can transmit disease. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian. Empty habitat and thoroughly disinfect it.

 

FAQs

What do Hognose snakes eat?

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Hognoses should be offered appropriately sized frozen rodents that have been properly thawed and warmed.

How big do Hognose snakes get?

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Female Hognoses can grow up to 3 feet, males tend to not exceed 2 feet.

How long do Hognose snakes live?

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Hognoses can live up to 20 years with proper care.

Where are Hognose snakes found?

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Hognoses are found throughout central areas of North America, south-central parts of Canada and northern Mexico.

Is a Hognose snake venomous?

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Yes, Hognoses do produce a mild toxin, in their saliva, which is used to aid in the digestion of food. 

What size tank does a Hognose snake need?

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Juvenile Hognoses can be housed in a 10-gallon habitat; however, their habitats must increase in size as they grow. A 20L to 40L habitat is appropriate for an adult Hognose.

Where can I buy a Hognose snake?

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Western Hognoses are available for purchase at your local Petco location. Please call ahead to check availability.

Notes and resources

Ask a Pet Care Center associate about Petco's selection of products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.

Because all reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your reptile or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease.

Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physicians before purchasing or caring for reptiles and should consider having a pet other than a reptile.

Go to the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov/healthypets for more information about reptiles and disease.

The information on this care sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is sick, or if you need additional information, please contact your veterinarian as appropriate.

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