Heterodon platirhinos

Horizontal terrestrial terrarium, well ventilated, with floor space prioritised over height

Minimum dimensions for an adult; aim rather for 120 x 60 cm for a large female. Secure lid (a good escape artist). Provide a sufficient depth of substrate for burrowing (10-15 cm), at least two hides (warm side and cool side) and stable décor. A solitary species: keep one individual per enclosure.

A moderate atmosphere with a dry zone under the hotspot. Offer a humid hide (moss/sphagnum) to aid shedding and burrowing. Avoid stagnant humidity and insufficient ventilation, which favour respiratory and skin infections.

Choose a loose, dry substrate that allows digging (a 10-15 cm layer), reproducing the natural burrowing behaviour. Avoid toxic resinous shavings (pine/cedar). Feed preferably on a plate or off the substrate to limit accidental ingestion and the risk of impaction.

Beneficial. A diurnal species that benefits from low to moderate UVB lighting (~5% tube / Ferguson zone 1-2) on a day/night cycle of about 12 h. Not strictly essential if calcium/D3 supplementation is well managed, but recommended for well-being and thermoregulation.

Provide a bowl of clean, fresh water at all times, large enough to allow immersion. Clean and refresh regularly.

Eastern North America: the eastern and central United States, from Florida up to the extreme south of Ontario (Canada). Sandy habitats, forest edges, pine woods and coastal areas.

Strict carnivore — an amphibian specialist — In the wild: toads (Anaxyrus / Bufo sp.) and other amphibians. In captivity: captive-bred specimens sometimes accepting rodents (pinkies) 'scented' with amphibian; otherwise amphibians.

THE species' CRITICAL POINT: unlike H. nasicus, the Eastern hognose is a toad specialist and switching to rodents is often difficult, even impossible in wild-caught individuals — hence a high difficulty rating. IMPERATIVELY favour a captive-bred animal already weaned onto rodents. Feeding on wild amphibians is inadvisable (parasites, pesticides, legal risk of collection); the species is physiologically resistant to toad toxins (enlarged adrenal glands). Juveniles fed every 5-7 days, adults every 7-10 days, with prey of appropriate diameter; avoid overfeeding (obesity).

Clutch 8–40 eggs/young. Large clutches compared to H. nasicus, usually after a winter cooling period (brumation) of several weeks. Incubation of about 55-65 days at ~27-28 °C. Check local regulations before any breeding or transfer.

• Food refusal / chronic anorexia, especially in wild individuals that are hard to wean onto rodents
• Internal parasitism (nematodes, protozoa), common in specimens caught or fed on wild amphibians
• Dysecdysis (incomplete shedding) linked to insufficient humidity or the absence of a humid hide
• Respiratory infections favoured by inadequate ventilation or temperature
• Regurgitation and digestive stress caused by handling too soon or by incorrect temperatures