This care sheet should be used for guidance only. If you have decided to keep a pet snake please gather as much information as possible from other reliable sources about the species you intend to keep.
Western Hognose Snake
The Western Hognose Snake is a small but stocky snake from S.Canada, Central USA & N.Mexico. It is nicknamed 'Puff Adder' in some regions. Not to be confused with the real Puff Adder (Bitis arietans), a large African Viper.
Western Hognose Snakes are famous for their defensive displays such as neck flattening, hissing and playing dead. These snakes have enlarged back teeth and are mildly venomous but the venom has little effect on people and is thought to be specific to amphibians. Mild swelling, redness and numbness have been reported as effects of a Hognose bite and the rear fangs of the Hognose were commonly thought to be used for deflating the air sacs in toads but it seems this is now up for debate. However Western Hognose Snakes rarely bite in self defense.
The fangs of the Western Hognose are not grooved like the fangs of truly back-fanged colubrids like the deadly Boomslang of Africa and are rather inneficient at 'injecting' venom, but it is possible for their mildly toxic saliva to drip down the fangs and enter a bite wound in small quantity.
Providing you wash your hands after handling the snakes food it is very unlikely that you will receive a bite from the Western Hognose Snake and even if you do it is also unlikely that the fangs will connect as they are set so far back in the mouth. It should also be noted that most defensive strikes from the Western Hognose snake are bluff, with the mouth closed.
All in all, although it is important that a prospective owner of a new Hognose snake should be aware of the possibilities of a reaction to bites, there seems to be very little cause for concern unless you are unfortunate enough to be allergic to the toxins, in which case you should seek immediate medical attention if bitten.
Western Hognose Snakes reach a length of 2 – 3 feet and are now available in several colour and pattern morphs. They are relatively easy to care for.
These snakes are an egg-laying species that can live 10 to 20 years in captivity with the proper care.
HOUSING
An enclosure with dimensions of 24”x12”x12” is ideal for housing a single adult Western Hognose Snake. The enclosure can be a wooden or glass vivarium with sliding doors or removable lid, or an aquarium with a well ventilated and secure lid. They are also successfully kept in large plastic storage boxes with plenty of ventilation holes drilled in to the sides. Whichever type of enclosure you choose you must ensure it is secure and escape proof. Humidity should be kept at 45 to 65%. Normal household humidity is usually within this range.
A 2 inch layer of Aspen bedding makes an ideal substrate for the Western Hognose Snake and allows for burrowing. Another good substrate is coconut fibre which can be bought in compressed blocks such as the 'Eco Earth substrate block.'
1 or 2 hiding spots should be provided in your Hognose Snakes enclosure. These can be bought or home-made (from margarine tubs, upturned flowerpots, pieces of bark etc.) and should be just large enough for your snake to squeeze in to.
A
sturdy water bowl should be available in the coolest part of the
enclosure, preferably just large enough for your Hognose to bathe in.
When placing the water bowl for your Hognose, clear an area of substrate
so that the bowl sits on the bottom of the enclosure to prevent your
snake from burrowing underneath and either injuring itself or knocking
it over.
The vivarium can be decorated with pieces of bark and plastic plants if desired.
HEATING, LIGHTING AND TEMPERATURE
Western Hognose Snakes are best kept at daytime temperatures varying from 28 to 32 degrees centigrade at one end of the enclosure and 22 to 26 degrees centigrade at the other. Temperature can be allowed to drop a few degrees at night.
A thermal gradient for this snake can be achieved by placing a heat mat under only half of the enclosure, leaving the other half cool. Heat mats should be controlled by a thermostat to maintain the correct temperatures for your snake. Always follow the instructions that come with your heating equipment as these can vary between different manufacturers.
If you find that extra heat is necessary for your Hognose, a low wattage bulb fitted to the ceiling of the enclosure can be used to increase the ambient temperature. Bulbs over 15 watts need to be covered with a bulb guard to protect your pet snake from burns.
Any lighting should be turned off at night. An inexpensive timer can be used to do the job for you. These can be purchased from most hardware stores.
FEEDING
Most Hognose snakes are good feeders and Western Hognose Snakes can be fed on an appropriately sized mouse, once a week. The food offered should be roughly the thickness of the snake at the centre of its length.
Frozen mice can be bought in many different sizes from pet stores that sell reptiles and can be thawed out at feeding time. Juveniles can occasionally prove tricky to feed as they are adapted to eating amphibians in the wild. It may be best to buy a Hognose that is a few months old and feeding reliably on mice.
Most snakes swallow their prey head first but the Western Hognose Snake seems less concerned about this and will happily swallow food sideways or backwards, just as long as it fits.
SEX
The sex of the Western Hognose Snake is easier to determine if you have two snakes of opposite sex to compare. The females tail is noticeably shorter and stubbier than the males.
If you only have one snake and are still unsure of its sex it will need to be 'probed'. This involves gently inserting a thin metal probe in to the cloaca, towards the tail to see how far it will go without resistance. The probe will go further in a male snake. If you are not already familiar and well practiced with this technique, get your snake sexed by a vet or find someone else with Westen Hognose snakes so you can compare.. Probing can be dangerous in inexperienced hands.
HANDLING
Western Hognose Snakes usually grow in to calm manageable pets that are a pleasure to handle, when handled fairly regularly from a young age.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Your Western Hognose Snakes enclosure should be spot checked for faeces on a daily basis and cleaned out completely with a reptile-safe disinfectant at least monthly. All cage furniture should also be disinfected and the substrate should be changed.
Your snake should be given fresh water at least twice weekly.
copyright-petsnakecare.net 2011
