Western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus)

Short answers

Western hognose snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 90×45×45 cm for one animal, from 100×50×50 cm for a pair.

Western hognose snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 32–35 °C, at night 17–20 °C.

Western hognose snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Optional.

Western hognose snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Western hognose snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

17–20 °C

Basking spot

32–35 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

Optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 90×45×45 cm for one animal, from 100×50×50 cm for a pair

Substrate

A sand and soil mix or forest floor, 6–10 cm deep for digging

Feeding

Food

Mice (frozen-thawed), preferably smaller prey

Feeding interval

adults every 7–14 days

Key facts

Adult size

45–65 cm (♀ larger, up to 90 cm)

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Central and North America, dry prairie

Protection status

—

Brumation

Optional: winter rest of 8–12 weeks at 10–15 °C, shortened lighting, with food withheld for two weeks beforehand; not for animals under one year old. It's necessary for breeding. Even without a winter rest, many animals don't eat for weeks in winter.

Cohabitation

Keeping singly is the least stressful; only put animals together briefly and under supervision for mating. A pair or a small group is possible, but: the animals compete for basking spot and hides, and there is a risk of cannibalism at feeding time — so always feed separately and choose a sufficiently large enclosure.

Notes

A dry terrarium with somewhere to dig. Opisthoglyphous (mildly venomous), practically harmless to humans, and it rarely bites; refusing food and bluffing are typical.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) currently offered

• 1.0 Hakennasennatter Toffee Conda 2026 – Toffee Conda · Wuppertal · 60 €
• 0.1 Hakennasennatter Super Arctic Toffee 2024 ( Pet Only) – Super Arctic Toffee · Wuppertal · 80 €
• Hakennasennattern abzugeben – Super Yeti, Arctic Sunburst, Superconda , Arctic Albino Conda · Reinbek · 80 €
• Heterodon Lemon Ghost (Woma) Nachzuchten – Lemon Ghost · Lampertheim
• Schlangen abzugeben – Hamburg · 60 €
• Heterodon nasicus NZ 2024 – Tiger Conda 66% het. lavendar · Jerxheim · 200 €

See all listings in the marketplace →

Related species

• Mexican hognose snake (Heterodon kennerlyi) – Beginner
• Eastern hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos) – Intermediate
• Southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus) – Intermediate
• Blonde hognose snake (Leioheterodon modestus) – Intermediate
• Malagasy giant hognose (Leioheterodon madagascariensis) – Intermediate
• Geay's hognose snake (Leioheterodon geayi) – Intermediate
• Tricolor hognose snake (Xenodon pulcher) – Intermediate
• Egyptian sand boa (Eryx colubrinus colubrinus) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 90×45×45 cm for one animal, from 100×50×50 cm for a pair), substrate (A sand and soil mix or forest floor, 6–10 cm deep for digging), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.