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Heterodon nasicus - Western Hognose
Beginner Care
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Prairie/Scrublands Species
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Diurnal
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Ovoviviparous
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Western Hognose Snakes are a small snake that come in a variety of morphs. They are mostly found in prairie and scrubland areas and are a terrestrial snake. They are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the daylight hours. They are a burrowing snake and spend much of their time hiding in the substrate. They are a rather dramatic snake and will widen their neck, inflate their body and hiss when threatened. If that fails, they may even play dead to ward off potential predators.
Normal Hognose from Ryan's Reptile Outpost
Companion Card Available
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Bringing Your New Pet Home
When you bring your new snake home, you should already have a quarantine tank set up and ready to go. Place fresh water in a bowl in the tank, fresh substrate and offer food, but be aware it is completely normal for them to refuse food for the first couple days, or even longer. You should keep this new snake in a separate area from any other snakes you may have for 90 days, to ensure there is nothing it could spread to your other animals. Check for mites as they are very easily spread to other snakes. Monitor its eating and fecals as they may be strange for up to a couple weeks, but this is due to a new diet, stress, and environment. It is recommended you do not handle your new snake for the first 24-48 hours and keeping it to a minimum until it has started eating on its own. Always keep in mind, your new animal is in a new tank, with new decor/dishes/hides, and new faces watching them. They need time to become acclimated to it all. After this quarantine process, they can be safely introduced to their permanent enclosure if it's not already. Be sure to wash your hands before handling any other snake during this time.
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Enclosure Depending on your need, there are a couple different ways to house a hognose. For the single snake owner a glass aquarium with screen lid can be used, or a front opening terrarium. Generally you want to have 5-10 gallons of enclosure for a baby or juvenile, and up to 20 gallons or more for an adult female. Adult males do fine in a 10-20 gallon as they are smaller than females. An additional way to house is a rack system with tubs, most commonly used by breeders to use their space most efficiently. Whatever type of enclosure you choose, be sure it is secure; snakes are escape artists and will use any opportunity to get out and explore. Screen tops with secure clips can be purchased for glass aquariums. Other enclosures should clip securely closed. Hognose use their slanted noses to push against anything they think they can move, and they often can with quite a bit of force behind that stubby nose. |
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Substrate
Hognose love to burrow and highly prefer loose substrates. Shredded or chipped aspen is an ideal choice as it is low dust and secure for your snake to burrow in. Spot clean weekly and completely replace all bedding every few months. |
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Compatibility
Snakes are solitary reptiles and should not be housed with one another. Not only will they compete for hides and food, but they may eat or injure one another. The exception to this is during breeding season, and this is best left to the experts. |
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Heating
Hognose are cold blooded, so they rely on their environment to regulate body temperature. It is important that the temperature be around 88-90 on one side of the tank, while the other side of the tank be in the 75-85 range so the snake can thermoregulate by moving from one side of the tank to the other. The heat source should come from below the enclosure to aid in digestion and should take up approximately 1/3 of the bottom of the outside of the enclosure. Never put an under tank heater inside the enclosure. For a glass or PVC enclosure an under tank heater is best, but for a rack system heat tape is most efficient. A thermostat should be used with any heat source.
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Lighting
Hognose are diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours, which makes them an excellent display snake! They should be exposed to 10-12 hours of light per day. Offering UVB lighting is beneficial and recommended. All lights should be on a timer to offer a natural day and night light cycle. |
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Cage Decor
Hognose, like any snakes, need hides to feel secure. These hides can be as fancy as you prefer, from something store bought to an overturned plastic container with a hole cut out. There should be at least 2 hides, one on the cool side and another should be kept on the warm side. If your snake is having issues shedding, a moist hide can be used to help bring the humidity up. Keep a hide with damp paper towels or sphagnum moss on one side and they will use it as needed. Low branches, rocks, cork pieces and fake plants can be added to the tank for visual appeal and for your snake to explore and use to aid in shedding! |
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Humidity and Shedding
Hognose are a semi-arid species, so they require low humidity. Access to the moist hide mentioned in decor to help them aid in shedding will keep the humidity level at an appropriate level if they are having issues with stuck shed, but is not usually necessary. Levels should be around 30-50%. Snakes will shed their skin as they grow. You’ll notice their color will appear dull when they are about to shed and their eyes will take on a blue tint. They cannot see well during this period of time, so may refuse food and strike in defense. A snake should shed in one complete piece - if they shed in pieces or have pieces stuck to them, your humidity needs to be adjusted. |
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Water
Your hognose should have access to fresh, clean water in a small bowl at all times. They will utilize this bowl to soak in when needed to aid with shedding. |
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Feeding Hognose are carnivores. Typically in captivity their diet consists of mice. Depending on the breeder and how they were raised, some may only take live prey. If this is the case, be sure to never leave your snake alone with the live prey as they can be severely injured. Frozen/thawed prey is the best choice for the average pet owner as it is readily available at most pet stores. Thaw the prey to room temperature by soaking in a bowl of lukewarm water, or leaving it out for a few hours to thaw. Never use a microwave to thaw food for a snake. Size of prey offered depends on the size of your snake. The size of the prey item should approximate the width of the snake at the largest part of its body. As your snake grows, so should the size of the prey offered. Most adult snakes eat every 10-12 days. Babies and juveniles need to eat more often. Hognose can be picky eaters, so don't be alarmed if your snake refuses a meal or two, but check that your temperatures, humidity and enclosure setup is proper. The best way to feed a snake is using a tongs to dangle the prey in front of them until they strike for it. Many hognose will simply open their mouths and slowly reach for their prey. Stubborn eaters may need their prey scented by frog/toad scent to entice them to eat, but this is not as common in captive bred examples. 
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Handling
Hognose are usually open to being handled and with regular contact, can become very tame. Young and unhandled snakes may show more defensive behaviors, but with regular handling will become more tame. Despite being such a small snake, they have a lot of personality and like to show it! Hold your snake in your hands securely and let them explore. Never handle a snake that is about to shed unless necessary, as their eyesight is compromised and the chances of being bitten or struck at are higher. Do not handle your snake for 2-3 days after feeding to allow them to properly digest their meal. Handling too soon can cause regurgitation. If you are unsure about taking your snake out of the enclosure, snake hooks or tongs are handy for aiding in handling. Be sure to support the entire snake, using the hook to support the area closest to the head and your hands to support the rest of the body.
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Morphs
While this care sheet and card focuses on the western hognose, there are other species of hognose that are less common in the pet trade; the mexican, the eastern and the southern. Their care is very similar, but as the western is most common as a pet, this care sheet focuses on the western. Western hognose come in a large variety of gorgeous morphs and traits! The photo below shows a few of the many available. 
Hognose Morphs by Exotic Fire Hogs
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Lifespan & Size
Hognose live on average of 18-20 years with proper care. Adult males reach around 2-2.5 feet, while females are heavier bodied and larger at 3 feet. |
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