Plains Hognose (Heterodon nasicus) basic care sheet

So you are thinking of buying a hognose snake? Here are some things to consider: 

  • Hognose snakes can live up to 20 years. Are you willing to commit to an animal for that long?

  • Ensure you are following your local, state and federal regulations and obtain necessary permits to import/export/housing/keeping/buy a Plains hognose snake. Research your legal standards/requirements/regulations before you buy.

  • Locate and chat with your local exotic veterinarian so you know who to go to if you have needs/questions. Budget for the possibility that you may need veterinary care expenses as your baby grows.

  • Male vs. Female: What to pick: The temperament of a hognose is more dependent on the individual rather than its gender so ask the breeder about the snakes temperament. Adult male snakes are smaller than the females, so prepare for larger enclosures if you are buying a female. Adult male hognose are generally between 12-24 inches, female 24-36 inches. (This is a general rule of thumb but like in other animals there are always the outliers who end up larger or smaller).

  • Enclosure: Some Hognose snakes prefer smaller enclosures than most other captive colubrids; some do just great in larger ones. Generally they do well if kept in a bin/terrarium that is at least as long as they are. Ensure there is adequate ventilation and no escape routes. Never use tape or glue to seal off edges as snakes can easily become entangled. We recommend terrariums with lids that slide and lock on the top rather than lids that sit on top of the tank as hoggies are adept escape artists.

  • Lighting: It is important that your hognose has an extensive amount of light during the day even though they love to burrow they are essentially diurnal (awake and active during the day) snakes. If you are going to brumate (hibernate) your snakes, the natural reduction of light in the winter will help with the process, however if you do not plan on brumating, then you should maintain artificial light from 12-16 hours per day to simulate spring/summer daylight. The light cycle and heat available to them have a very strong effect on your snakes appetite and whether you will be successful in feeding it.

  • Heat/Humidity; Cool side should be. Around 74-75 degrees F, warm side around 92F give or take 1-2 degrees.

      • Humidity 30-50% on average.

  • Handling: Hognose temperament varies as much as human temperament does so always listen to your hog! When you first get him/her home set them up and leave them alone for a while. If they take food after the first feeding. Leave them alone again. Try a second feeding 4 days later (if a baby) or 6-7 days later if a juvenile./subadult. If they take the food without issue the second time, you can start introducing handling (48 hours after the second meal to reduce chances of regurgitation) slowly and gradually over several weeks. If your snake stops eating immediately stop handling it until it has eaten twice more in a row. Follow this pattern of slowing building but note if your hognose becomes stressed and always err on the side of handling less.

  • Feeding: What to feed and How often:

          • Babies are generally fed twice a week. Ideally on Frozen thawed pinkie mice. We always add calcium without vitamin D, supplement to all of our prey.

          • Juveniles/Subadults/Adults - eat Frozen thawed fuzzy through adult mice once every 5-7 days also with supplemental Ca + Vit D3 every other month and Ca+ each feeding

          • Consider not handing a snake for 24-48 hours after feeding to reduce chances of regurgitation.

          • If snake regurgitates wait about 2 weeks before offering food again.

  • Basic supplies and expense to get started:

          • Enclosure (tub/terrarium/rack): $50 to $150 (depending on the size of the animal you are getting)

          • Temperature gun ($25 on Amazon) to measure your temps in your enclosure and if you live in a humid area we also recommend a heat/humidity thermometer; wireless for inside the terrarium ($30 on Amazon)

          • Belly (below tank) heat with thermostat ($35 on Amazon) and optional above tank heat/light source: We like the duo that has UVB AND non light emitting ceramic for heat. ($50 for bulbs and dome)

          • Light source for adequate daylight. May use UVB if desired; we recommend having UVB when feasable.

          • Hides, hides and more hides; at least one on the cool and one on the hot side. ($10 to $20 each. Fake plants also help with clutter… Hognose snakes love clutter. We love PVC pipes cut into tubes. We can sterilize them and reuse them and the snakes love to hide and explore in them.

          • Fake Flowers from craft store often helps clutter and add different textures for the exploring snake to enjoy. (make sure you wash with soap and water and allow to dry to remove chemicals)

          • Water bowl: ceramic/stainless steel is best. ($7)

          • Bedding (aspen/bioactive is preferred). ($40) Do not use cedar

Total cost of basic hognose set up: Approximately between $300 to $400. 

  • Please note: When buying a Heterodon nasicus from us you release Hip Hogs Ltd of all liability for it’s purchase/importation/sale and take full responsibility for its ownership. 
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