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Western Hognose Snake
Heterodon nasicus |
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| general |
| description |
The Western Hognose group is by far the easiest to keep and maintain in captivity. Moreover, if kept properly, the Western Hognose will reproduce and provide years of enjoyment to its keeper. Its inoffensive nature, gentle disposition, and ease of handling make it both a popular pet and a suitable snake for the beginning herpetoculturist. |
| distribution |
 U.S.A.
(Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, E Wyoming, Illinois, E Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, W Minnesota) |
| adult size |
approx. two to three feet |
| housing |
| natural habitats |
Terrestrial; |
| cage |
It should be large instead of tall because it does not climb much. (e.g. Wooden Terrarium, Glass Terrarium)
Make sure it is escape-proof, easy to disinfect, free of sharp edges, dry, well ventilated, and hold heat to ensure proper temperatures. |
| substrate |
wood shavings, barks (e.g. Repti Bark, Coconut Bark), gravel, fine sand (e.g. Repti sand, Calci-Sand), compressed paper granules (e.g. Good Mews) |
| activity period |
 Nighttime (nocturnal);
give heat and help monitoring by infrared lamps (e.g. Nightlight Red Bulb, Infrared Heat Lamp) where the light is invisible for it but humans |
| temperature |
25 - 28 ¢XC -- day (e.g. Daylight Blue Bulb, Basking Spot Lamp)
22 - 25 ¢XC -- night (e.g. Nightlight Red Bulb, Infrared Heat Lamp, Ceramic Heat Emitter) |
| humidity |
mid to low, 40% |
| water dish |
a water dish (e.g. Rock water dish) should be available for it to drink or soak in. It would usually excrete in water. It is specially important for one that is going to shed its skin. |
| hiding place |
Essential, a place for its privacy, security and sleep by day.
Possibllites include caves (e.g. Habbe Hut, Heat Cave), etc |
| diet |
| wild diet |
Carnivorous (meat-eating);
lizards, Rodents (e.g. mice, rats), amphibians |
| how often to feed? |
one pinkie every 5 - 7 days for hatchlings to juveniles;
two mice every 7 - 10 days for adults |
| notes |
1. Feed it in the dark.
2. Do not ever move your hands near when it is feeding.
3. Do not handle it till a day after the feed. |
| reproduction |
| reproduction |
Oviparous |
| mating age |
from 2 - 3 years |
| eggs |
Western hognosed snakes lay eggs from June through July and while some may double clutch, this appears to be a rather rare event. According to Degenhardt et al., hognoses may lay anywhere from four to 23 eggs. Depending on whether or not you brumate your charges, your snakes may lay eggs at any time during the spring or summer. |
| incubation |
A temperature range of 23 to 31 degrees Celsius appears to be sufficient. Depending on the temperature, hognose eggs may hatch in a shorter or longer period of time. |
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