(Heterodon nasicus)
Distribution
Western Hognose snakes range from Western USA down through to Mexico. They are crepuscular snakes, which frequent scrubland and swamplands habitats near water. There are currently three subspecies of Western Hognose Snake that are recognized these are Dusty Hognose Snake (
Heterodon nasicus gloydi), Mexican Hognose snake (
Heterodon nasicus kennerlyi) and Plains (or Western) Hognose snake (
Heterodon nasicus nasicus). There is currently some debate as to whether the Mexican Hognose is a species in its own right and not a subspecies of Western Hognose.
Size
These snakes usually grow to between 45 and 90cm (1.5 - 3 feet) in length.
Diet
In the wild they feed mainly upon amphibians, especially toads, but will also eat other snakes, lizards, bird’s eggs, chicks etc. In captivity a once weekly feed of mice is more than adequate. Unlike most other snakes Western Hognose are not very picky in the way in which they eat their food and will eat rodents sideways as well as forwards. Some specimens have a habit of slicing into food with their rear fangs, which can be off putting for some people. A few specimens may be stubborn feeders. In order to avoid this ensure the snake is guaranteed to feed on mice/pinkies before purchasing it - the best ones to get by far are well established captives and not wild caught specimens. When feeding your snake it is essential that you either use a feeding box or feed it on substrate that it can not ingest and even more essential that you feed your snake using tongs rather than fingers.
A certain percentage of hatchling hognose are reluctant to feed a variety of foods can be tried, such as bleeding dead pinkies, earthworms and trout. After talking to breeders of these snakes some recommend scenting pinkies with amphibians (non toxic)/cod/tuna and roach to try and coax them into feeding. I have also found with this species that hatchlings are more willing to feed after dark.
Requirements
- Heat Source:- This can be either reflector (spot) lights in green, blue or red. Ceramic or tubular heaters can also be used, although heat mats are a useful alternative. These should be guarded and thermostatically controlled.
- Ultra Violet Light Source:- This is controversial with snakes. However I recommend using them as the active behaviour and breeding behaviour of the snakes is increased and it makes for better viewing of your snakes. A Reptisun 5.0 should be used and positioned no more than 30cm away from the snake when it is basking. This should be left on for 8-12 hours daily and replaced every 6 months. They should not be used with snakes with unpigmented eyes such as Amelanistic are exanthic as it can damage them.
- Thermostat:- An essential part of every vivarium and is required to control the heat inside the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.
- Housing:- A dark wooden vivarium with a glass frontage is ideal for this species. Due to their shy nature the vivarium should be situated away from drafty, busy areas of the house. A vivarium measuring 122cm long by 46cm wide by 46cm deep (4ft by 1.5ft by 1.5ft) is suitable.
- Wire Mesh Guards:- These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent any thermal burns from occurring.
- Thermometers:- One should be placed at either end of the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat as this is often incorrect.
- Hides:- These are an essential part of any vivarium as they provide the animals with an area to escape from the stresses of over exposure. They should also be provided with some branches, as some species require areas to climb.
- Water:- This species of snake requires moderate levels of humidity. A small water bowl should be provided and changed daily.
Temperature
Daytime temperatures should be maintained with a basking area of 35°C (95°F) dropping to around 25°C (77°F) at the cool end. Night time temperatures should be allowed to drop to around 25°C (75°F).
Longevity
Hognoses live on average between 15 and 18 years in captivity, although the oldest recorded snake is 19 years old.
Substrate
The Western Hognose requires areas of the vivarium where it can dig. Substrates such as newspaper, brown paper or soil/sand mixes are fine. Ensure that a dry basking area is available in order to prevent ventral scale infections occurring. Large pieces of (Dust free and not pine or cedar) Bark Mulch can be used to good effect as long as the pieces are too large to avoid ingestion during feeding or feed your snake in a separate feeding container. The recommended depth of substrate is between 2 and 5cm. Juveniles should be given areas with sphagnum moss hides as they are prone to dehydration. Whatever you choose to use as your substrate, care should always be taken when feeding your snake, incase any substrate is ingested.
Brumation
Western Hognose snakes require a 6 to 8 week brumation period. This usually starts around October time. Snakes should not be fed two weeks prior to brumation. If UV lights are used, they should be turned off during this period as Hognoses brumate in burrows in the wild. They require temperatures of between 12 - 15°C. If your snake starts to look ill or loose body condition, then they should be woken up.
Special Notes
Western Hognoses have mild venom and are rear fanged snakes. This is used to kill toads in the wild - the bite is often compared with that of a bee sting, although reactions including painful swellings and hospital visits have occurred in severe cases. When they feel threatened they will hiss loudly and flatten their necks out like a cobra. If this is ignored then they often look as if they are in pain and roll onto their backs, with their mouth open, emit a foul smell and to all intents and purposes look dead.
NB – Photograph donated by Jim Lind www.petsnakes.co.uk
Map taken from http://fwp.state.mt.us/fieldguide/mediaDisplay.aspx?id=1398&elcode=ARADB17010
Recommended Reading/Useful Contacts
Stuart Dodsworth –
stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society –
www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society –
www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information –
http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Heterodon_SP_nasicus']
www.petsnakes.co.uk
http://www.pondturtle.com/lsnakeb.html#Heterodon - longevity information.
http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/states/nmex_main/species/030310.htm
http://www.reptileallsorts.com/westhognose-cs.htm
http://www.lihs.org/files/caresheets/sheet19.htm
http://www.ameyzoo.co.uk/Caresheets/hognose1.htm
http://www.hognose.co.uk/index.html
www.reptilekeeper.co.uk
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