Western Hognose - Heterodon nasicus
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Western
Hognose - Heterodon nasicus
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Care Sheets]
General Information
Distribution — There are several subspecies of western hognose found in North America. They are found from southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, south through most of the central U.S. and into southwestern Texas.
Habitat — These snakes are found in a variety of habitats, including sandy grasslands, desert scrub, and woodlands.
Adult Size — Hognose snakes are fairly small snakes. Hatchlings are generally around 18 cm (7"). Adults are usually 40 to 81 cm (15" - 32") in total length with females being significantly larger than males.
Temperament — Hognose snakes are very easily handled and make great pets for young children or tentative adults. However, some occasionally display defensive behavior. This consists of the snake flattening its head (often called a 'hood' display) as they hiss. Despite this fearful bluff, most calm down as soon as they are picked up.
Longevity — If cared for properly, hognose snakes can be expected to live between 10 and 15 years.
Captive Care
Rating: 1 — Hognose snakes are an ideal snake for both beginner and advanced keepers. This is due to their small size, availability as domestically bred stock, low price, and overall hardiness. Many fearful relatives and/or friends often find themselves comfortable with hognose snakes, as their rounded snout, large head and small size makes them appear somewhat 'cute'.
Diet: Hatchlings will take pinky mice once every 5-7 days. As they grow, keep increasing the size of the meal so that the girth of the snake's mid-section is approximately the thickness of the food item. Adults will generally take an adult mouse once a week.
Temperature: Daytime high can be between 25-30oC (77-86oF) and a nighttime low of 20oC (68oF).
Space: Baby hognose snakes can be housed in a minimum sized tank of about 10 gallons. As for adults a 15 to 20 gallon tank is best. Always remember to keep a locking lid on your hognose's tank, as all snakes are amazing escape artists and will often not be found again if they succeed in getting out!
Breeding: It seems important to cool these snakes in order to induce breeding, especially for specimens which are native to the northern part of the hognose's range where the difference in seasons is even that more prominent. Temperatures of about 10oC (50oF) should be the constant temperatures in the enclosure for about 2 months with no food offered to them during this time. Once temperatures have increased and feeding has started again, breeding takes place. After a gestation of 1 to 2 months, clutches of 3 to 15 are produced. the young hatch after an incubation of 50 to 60 days at 28.3oC (83oF), .
Special Requirements: Hognose snakes are an extremely hardy snake. However, many specimens seem to benefit from having enough substrate in the tank to allow them to dig in order to simulate natural burrowing.
Sources (Suggested Reading):
Mattison, Chris. 1995. Keeping and Breeding Snakes. Cassell Publishing, London, UK. Pp. 184.
Rossi, John V. 1992. Snakes of the United Sates and Canada, Vol. 1: Eastern Area. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. Pp. 209.
Wright, Albert Hazen and Anna Allen Wright, 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada, Vol. I. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca, New York. Pp. 564.