Hognose Snake: Species Profile

The name "hognose snake" refers to multiple species with distinctly shaped upturned snouts coming from three related genera: Heterodon, Leioheterodon, and Lystrophis. They use their upturned snouts for burrowing and tend to be timid. They are relatively easy to maintain once you have their housing and feeding routine down.

Learn all about caring for hognose snakes as pets.

Hognose Snake Behavior and Temperament

Hognose snakes are diurnal animals (active during the day) and known for their docile nature. Notably, the eastern hognose (Heterodon) is particularly recognized for its habit of playing dead around predators—it will roll onto its back, open its mouth, and even move around as if in pain before lying motionless.  

When hognose snakes feel threatened, they might flatten their necks, raise their heads, and occasionally strike, but they rarely bite. If handled regularly from a young age, they can grow up to be fairly calm around people.

There is ongoing debate in herpetological circles about whether hognose snakes should be considered venomous. They do secrete venom in their saliva that is lethal to small prey, but it is harmless to humans. Additionally, hognose snakes do not typically bite, it's unlikely that a human would come in contact with the venom anyway. For these reasons, most snake experts don't consider hognose species to be on the same level as poisonous snakes, such as rattlesnakes and cobras.

Housing the Hognose Snake

Hognose snakes do not grow very large, and a tank that allows them to stretch the entire length of their body will suffice. A 20-gallon tank is often a sufficient size for one snake, depending on how large your animal grows.

Prioritize floor space over height, as these snakes do not typically climb. However, a secure lid is still recommended to keep your snake safe in their enclosure. Provide a water dish large enough for your snake to climb into, as well as a hide box where it can feel secure.

Heat

Within the enclosure, provide a temperature gradient with a basking area of around 85 to 90°F and a cool side that does not drop below 70°F. To achieve these temperatures, you might need to experiment with different wattages of heat bulbs at varying heights. For an accurate reading, remember to measure the temperature at the level of your snake in the enclosure, not at the top of the tank.

Light

Many people opt to provide full-spectrum UVB lights on a 12-hour cycle in the snake's enclosure to mimic the natural day-night cycle. This isn't absolutely necessary, as these snakes get most of their vitamin D from their diet. However, the lighting can help them produce vitamin D, ensuring they do not become deficient.

Humidity

Hognose snakes need a humidity level of roughly 40-70%. The level varies slightly among the species, and snakes tend to prefer slightly higher humidity before shedding. The water dish in the enclosure will provide some humidity, but you can also mist the enclosure lightly to raise the humidity level. Monitor the humidity with a reptile hygrometer.

Substrate

Hognose snakes have distinctive snouts that act like small shovels. In the wild, they use their noses to burrow into the ground. In captivity, it is best to provide them with a few inches of sand mixed with reptile-safe soil or another material that allows the snake to burrow and hide.

Food and Water

Hognose snakes, especially Heterodon platirhinos, can be difficult to feed in captivity and might refuse food. In addition to staying consistent with what and when you feed them, make sure the enclosure temperatures are correct. Snakes need warmth to remain active and properly digest their food. And there's little doubt when hognose snakes are hungry. They'll often approach their feeder with an open mouth, ready for their food. 

 Hognoses have enlarged teeth in the rear of their mouths that they use to puncture food, making it easier to swallow. They start out eating gut-loaded crickets (crickets fed nutritious foods) dusted with calcium powder. As they mature, they graduate to pinkies, fuzzies, and possibly adult mice, depending on how large the species grows. These snakes can also eat toads, as they’re capable of neutralizing any poison in a toad’s skin.  

Young hognose snakes need to be fed a few times a week, while fully grown snakes typically do well being fed one prey item a week. If you notice your snake is about to begin shedding, it's sometimes wise to reduce feedings to prevent regurgitation.

Common Health and Behavior Problems

Despite their timid nature, hognose snakes are a hardy species that don't often get sick. However, there are a few diseases to watch out for, including:

• Respiratory infections: Like most reptiles, hognose snakes are susceptible to respiratory infections, which show symptoms of wheezing, drooling, and general lethargy. It's believed that improper humidity is usually the reason for recurring respiratory infections in snakes.
• Mouth rot: Another ailment that afflicts snakes is mouth rot, or infectious stomatitis. If you spot saliva bubbles and inflammation around your snake's mouth, those are classic symptoms of mouth rot. It's a painful condition, and if left untreated it can cause an infection that makes your snake's teeth fall out.
• Fungal infections: Hognose snakes also are prone to fungal infections, which can cause problems shedding and discoloration of the skin. 

Choosing Your Hognose Snake

Ideally, you should get a captive-bred hognose snake from a reputable breeder or rescue organization that can answer questions about the snake's health history. Ensure you ask what the snake has been eating, how often it usually eats, and the last time it ate and defecated. Expect to pay around $100 to $500, depending on the species and age of the snake. 

It's up to you to decide whether you want an adult snake or a hatchling. If you have limited experience with snakes, you might want to choose a hatchling. This can guarantee it has been captive-bred, and you'll be able to start handling it from a young age.

A healthy snake's ribs should not be visible, and there should be no noticeable kinks in its body when it stretches to its full length. Additionally, check its skin for mites and ticks before agreeing to take it home.

Similar Species to the Hognose Snake

If you're interested in similar pets, check out:

• Corn Snake
• King Snake and Milk Snake
• Black Rat Snake

Otherwise, check out other types of reptiles and amphibians that can be your new pet.