01
Husbandry requirements
Western Hognose — origin: Central North America — prairies.
Terrarium temperature gradient
Night min20 °C
Cool side22–24 °C
Warm side28–30 °C
Basking spot30–32 °C
Enclosure (adult)
90 × 45 × 30 cm
Terrarium with a deep substrate
Loose, deep substrate for burrowing
Humidity
30–50 %
Substrate
AspenCoco fibreSoil/sand mix
UVB
Recommended
Low UVB beneficial (diurnal species)
Water source
Always available
A water bowl at all times
Origin
Colubridae
Central North America — prairies
02
Feeding & health
Diet
Carnivore — rodents in captivity — Mice of appropriate size (amphibian prey in the wild)
Prone to obesity — do not overfeed; sometimes a difficult starter (scenting)
Breeding
Oviparous
Clutch 4–20 eggs/young. Incubation ~55 days
Health watch points
- Obesity (very common)
- Respiratory infections
- Incomplete shed
- Food refusal
03
Morphs & genetics
Registry of 30 documented genes and 55 named combos for Western Hognose.
- Microscale microInc.d
- TigerDom
- Masque maskDom
- ShurikenDom
- SmokeRec
- JaguarDom
- GraniteRec
- Leucistic lucyRec
- Anaconda condaInc.d
- Arctic jmg arcticInc.d
- Albino amelRec
- Axanthic aneryRec
- Toffee Belly toffeeRec
- Evans Hypo evansRec
- LavenderRec
- PistachioRec
- Pink Pastel pinkRec
- SableRec
- Swiss Chocolate swiss chocRec
- MochaRec
- Lemon GhostRec
- Caramel caramel albinoRec
- Ghost (Hypo) green ghostRec
- ShadowDom
- RBE Pastel rbeDom
- JungleDom
- Twin Spot twinspotInc.d
- Red (Line) extreme redDom
- Purple (Line) purple phaseDom
- Green (Line) green phaseDom
Named combos — 55 documented combined morphs
SnowToxicToxic (Evans)HypnosPink Panther AxanthicAxanthic SableAshShadow AxanthicJigsawCasperWraithCotton CandyMoonstoneAlbino ArcticAxanthic ArcticToffee ArcticLavender ArcticSubzeroArctic CondaPink Pastel ArcticYetiToffee YetiSuper Arctic AxanthicLavender YetiSuper Arctic SableSuper Arctic CondaSuper Arctic SupercondaAlbino CondaToffee CondaAxanthic CondaVanda (Lavender Conda)Sable CondaPink Pastel CondaShadow CondaSuperconda AlbinoSuperconda ToffeePanda (Superconda Axanthic)Superconda LavenderSuperconda SableSunburstPink PantherCoralRed Albino (Extreme Red)Purple AlbinoToffee SableLavender SableTiger CondaJaguar CondaMicroscale CondaTwin Spot AlbinoTwin Spot AxanthicExorcistSnow SableSnow CondaToxic Conda
04
Pairing calculator
Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.
🧬
Western Hognose × Western Hognose
Probabilities per gene (independent loci).
GeneParent AParent B
Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.
05
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about keeping the western hognose.
Is the western hognose dangerous to humans?▾
No. It's a mildly venomous rear-fanged snake, but harmless to humans. Its behavior is mostly bluff: it may flatten its neck like a cobra or play dead, but it never poses a genuine threat.
Why does the hognose play dead or flare its neck?▾
These are spectacular but completely harmless defensive tactics: this bluffer mimics a cobra by flattening its neck, then, if the intimidation fails, flips onto its back and plays dead. None of this theater reflects any real aggression.
How big does this species get, and do males and females differ?▾
The western hognose shows strong sexual dimorphism: females measure 50 to 90 cm, while males stay much smaller, at 35 to 50 cm. Overall it's a compact snake that's easy to house.
What terrarium suits the western hognose?▾
Provide a terrarium about 90 cm long, 45 cm wide, and 30 cm high, filled with loose, deep substrate. Since it's a burrowing species, this substrate depth is essential to let it dig in.
What substrate should be used for this burrowing species?▾
Aspen, coco fibre, or a soil/sand mix all work well, as long as they're laid down in a fairly thick layer. The western hognose spends much of its time burrowed, a natural behavior it should be allowed to express.
What temperature and humidity should be maintained?▾
Set up a basking spot of 30 to 32 °C, a warm side of 28 to 30 °C, and a cool side of 22 to 24 °C, never dropping below 20 °C at night. The species comes from prairies and prefers a fairly dry environment, with 30 to 50% humidity.
What does a hognose eat in captivity?▾
In captivity it feeds on appropriately sized mice, whereas in the wild it mainly hunts amphibians. Juveniles eat every 5 to 7 days and adults every 7 to 10 days; some individuals are picky starters and need the prey scented.
Why should you avoid overfeeding this species?▾
Because the western hognose is particularly prone to obesity, one of the most common health issues it faces. Reasonable portions should be respected, and meals should not be scheduled more often than necessary.
Is the western hognose suitable for a beginner?▾
It falls at a beginner-to-intermediate level. Its small size and manageable care make it appealing, but being rear-fanged calls for calm, measured handling, and occasional feeding refusals require a bit of patience.
Is UVB lighting recommended?▾
Yes, low UVB is beneficial for this diurnal species, which is naturally active during the day and therefore exposed to light in its native habitat.
How long does a western hognose live?▾
Its life expectancy ranges from 10 to 18 years in captivity, a lifespan that warrants careful thought before adopting one.
What health issues should be monitored?▾
The most common concerns are obesity, which is very frequent, respiratory infections, incomplete sheds, and feeding refusals. A measured diet and a well-set-up terrarium prevent most of these issues.
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