Hognose snake

🧠 1. Who is a Hognose Snake?

"Hognose snake" is not a single species — it is a group of snakes with a characteristic upward-curved nose, which occurs in different localities and genera:

Genus Heterodon - native North American wax snakes (most often kept as pets).

Genus Lystrophis - South American hognose snakes.

Genus Leioheterodon - Madagascar hognose snakes.

In terrariums, we most often encounter the North American hognose snake (genus Heterodon), so I will mostly focus on it in this article.

🎨 2. What it looks like

Body shape: shorter, robust body with a strong muscular torso and short tail.

Characteristic nose: the main characteristic — an upward-curved tail (rostral) shield, which facilitates digging in soil and sand.

Length: Most species grow to about 45–90 cm in adulthood, depending on size and sex.

Colors and patterns: Very variable — from sandy, brownish and olive to contrasting stripes or spots. There are also a number of color morphs in captivity.

Eyes: Large, round, with active daytime vision.

🏡 3. Environmental and care requirements
📏 Terrarium and space

Jupiter: Smaller boxes or terrariums around 40 × 30 × 25 cm will suffice.

Adults: Ideally 60 × 45 × 30 cm or larger, with plenty of soil surface and hiding places.

Bottom: Hognose love to burrow, so it is important to have a deep layer of substrate (e.g. aspen shavings, sand with soil, reptile mix) that will allow them to dig shelters.

🌡️ Temperature & Relative Humidity

Daytime temperature: ~26–32°C (warm side approx. 88–92°F).

Cooler zone: ~24–27°C.

Nighttime temperature: can drop to ~20–24°C.

Humidity: low to moderate (~30–50%) with a moist hide or small damp pit to aid in moulting.

💡 Lighting

UVB light: not strictly required, but mild UVB (2–5%) can encourage natural behavior and contribute to overall health.

Daylight cycle: 10–12 hours of light per day.

🪵 Terrarium equipment

Hiding places: at least two (warm and cool corner).

Decor: hiding places, rocks, and low hiding places to create a "land environment".

Water: a shallow dish of fresh water daily.

🍽️ 4. Nutrition and feeding

Main food: in captivity, pre-fed (frozen/thawed) mice of an appropriate size are given, which should not be wider than the widest part of the snake's body.

Frequency:

Juveniles: every ~4–7 days.

Adults: ~every 7–14 days, depending on appetite.

Note on prefs: Heterodon in the wild often hunts toads or frogs, which is one of the reasons why some individuals can be picky eaters — sometimes it is necessary to base food on smell or adjust the diet a little.

🧠 5. Nature and behavior
🐍 Daily rhythm

Hognose are diurnal — active during the day and like to trample around the terrarium, looking for food and digging.

🐍 Defensive Behavior

Unique to this group is their chain of defensive reactions, which are mostly not dangerous to humans:

Hissing and "pancaking": a flat spread of the body and throat, reminiscent of a cobra.

Bluffing or "fake strikes": the snake may demonstrate strikes with its mouth closed — an actual bite is rare, although some individuals may defend themselves more than others.

"Playing dead": if the initial defensive behavior does not work, they often feign death by lying on their back with their tongues out — very effective against predators.

🐍 Handling and Temperament

Temperament: Mostly peaceful and curious, but not the type of snake that likes to be held all the time; some individuals adapt better to handling than others.

Bluffing and "dramatic" behavior: This behavior is normal and is not a sign of aggression — more of a protective one.

🩺 6. Health and Common Problems
🧫 Common Health Risks

✔ Respiratory Infections: Severe if temperature or humidity is too low.
✔ Shedding Problems: Low humidity or lack of shelter with higher humidity.
✔ Parasites: Both internal and external can cause loss of appetite and decreased condition.
✔ Obesity/Malnutrition: If food is not given in adequate quantity or frequency.

🩹 Signs of Poor Condition

Loss of appetite, lethargy, unusual feces.

Retained shed (retained skin) around the toes or eyelids.

Respiratory Problems: Mucus, labored breathing — urgent vet care.

It is always a good idea to have contact with a veterinarian with experience with reptiles and do annual health checks.

🧬 7. Hognose Species and Variations
🐍 North American (genus Heterodon):

Eastern hognose (Heterodon platirhinos) – Cool colors and strong defensive behavior.

Western/Plains hognose (Heterodon nasicus) – most commonly kept species with many morphs.

Southern hognose (Heterodon simus) – smaller species with similar requirements.

🐍 South American and Malagasy:

South American hognose (Lystrophis spp.) – less common in breeding.

Madagascar giant (Leioheterodon madagascariensis) – larger species from Madagascar.

Speckled/Blonde hognose (Leioheterodon geayi, L. modestus) – colorful species from the island.

⚖️ 8. Advantages and disadvantages of breeding
👍 Advantages

✔ Small to medium size: does not require a large terrarium.
✔ Interesting behavior: dramatic defensive poses and "acting" performances.
✔ Longer lifespan: ~12–20 years with proper care.