Common Name: Hognose Snake
Scientific Name: Varies by species — the most common are:
Heterodon platirhinos (Eastern Hognose Snake)
Heterodon nasicus (Western Hognose Snake)
Heterodon simus (Southern Hognose Snake)
Family: Colubridae
Native Range: North America (Canada, U.S., northern Mexico)
Habitat: Sandy soils, prairies, grasslands, open forests, and fields
Lifespan: 10–18 years in captivity (up to 20+ with proper care)
Size:
Western Hognose: 14–36 in (35–90 cm)
Eastern Hognose: 20–45 in (50–115 cm)
Southern Hognose: 14–24 in (35–60 cm)
Distinctive Features:
Upturned, shovel-shaped snout used for digging in sandy soil
Stout body with keeled (ridged) scales
Round pupils (unlike venomous pit vipers)
Coloration:
Varies widely; typically tan, gray, brown, or olive with dark blotches
Many morphs exist in captivity — albino, anaconda, toffeeconda, snow, and others (especially in Heterodon nasicus)
Eastern Hognose: Eastern and central U.S., from New Hampshire to Texas
Western Hognose: Great Plains and southwestern U.S. into northern Mexico
Southern Hognose: Southeastern U.S. coastal plains
Preferred Habitat: Sandy or loose soil (for burrowing), open grasslands, and areas with toads and amphibians
Diet:
Wild: Toads (especially for eastern and southern species), frogs, lizards, reptile eggs, small mammals, and occasionally birds.
Captivity: Mice are the standard diet (usually pre-killed).
Special Adaptations:
Mild rear-fanged venom (not dangerous to humans) used to subdue amphibian prey.
Enlarged rear teeth help deflate toads’ defensive puffing.
Breeding Season: Spring to early summer
Egg-laying: Females lay 4–30 eggs in sandy soil or under logs in midsummer
Incubation: 45–60 days
Hatchlings: 5–9 inches (13–23 cm) long and independent from birth
Temperament: Generally docile and curious; popular as pets
Defensive Displays:
Flatten their necks like a cobra (“hooding”)
Hiss loudly and strike with a closed mouth (a bluff)
If that fails — play dead! They flip onto their backs, open their mouths, stick out their tongues, and even emit a foul smell.
Burrowing: Excellent diggers — use their snouts to excavate sandy burrows.
Tank Size:
Juvenile: 20-gallon minimum
Adult: 40-gallon (for Western species)
Temperature Gradient:
Basking spot: 88–92°F (31–33°C)
Cool side: 75°F (24°C)
Humidity: 30–50% (avoid overly damp enclosures)
Substrate: Loose, diggable substrate like aspen shavings, sand-soil mix, or coconut fiber
Feeding: Mice every 5–7 days (juveniles) or every 7–10 days (adults)
Handling: Generally easy to handle once accustomed, but handle gently — avoid startling them.
