Description
- Common Name: Western Hognose Snake
- Scientific Name: Heterodon nasicus
- Locality/Morph: Axanthic
- Sex: Males
- Age: 2026
- Source: Captive Bred
- Native Range: Central North America – Canada through the United States Great Plains and into northern Mexico
- Natural Habitat: Grasslands, prairies, sandy scrublands, and open plains with loose, well-draining soil
- Diet: Rodents, amphibians and reptiles in the wild; in captivity, rodents are fine though juveniles can be stubborn at times.
- Basking Temperature: 30–32 °C
- Ambient Temperature: 24–28 °C (night drop to 20–22 °C)
- Average Adult Size: 45–90 cm (males smaller than females)
The Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus) is a small to medium-sized colubrid known for its upturned “hog-like” snout, which it uses to burrow through sandy soils in its native grassland habitat. It is highly recognisable for its distinctive head shape, variable blotched patterning, and relatively small size.
In captivity, H. nasicus requires a terrestrial enclosure with a loose, sandy-soil substrate for burrowing and hiding. Provide multiple hides, a shallow water dish, and a temperature gradient with a warm basking spot around 30–32 °C. Ambient temperatures should remain in the mid-20s with a natural night-time drop. UVB lighting is not strictly necessary but may be beneficial.
The species is typically fed defrosted mice in captivity, though in the wild it mainly feeds on amphibians, particularly toads. Hatchlings may need some patience to transition onto rodents but usually adapt well with consistent feeding practices. Prey should be appropriately sized, offered once every 5–7 days for juveniles and every 7–10 days for adults.
Western Hognose Snakes are well-known for their dramatic defensive displays, including flattening their necks, hissing loudly, striking with a closed mouth, and even playing dead. Despite these theatrics, they rarely bite and usually settle into a docile and manageable species for handling once accustomed to it. However keepers should be aware this species is mildly venomous, and though the venom is of no danger to humans, it may cause a reaction in those susceptible to bee stings or similar toxins.
With good care, Western Hognose Snakes can live 15–20 years in captivity, making them a rewarding, hardy, and entertaining species for both beginner and experienced keepers.
Livestock Delivery:
Livestock is delivered in our own heated reptile courier vans. Delivery time from ordering will depend on your location and when we next have a van in your area, this will usually be a maximum of 2 weeks. You will receive a date and time slot by phone or email, so please ensure you enter these correctly at checkout. Delivery fee for livestock depends on location, prices start at £45. Livestock orders over £500 (+VAT) are delivered free of charge.
Livestock Sale Terms:
If multiple animals are in stock then not all will be pictured, so the photo above may not be exact animal available.
All prices are per individual unless otherwise stated. All livestock is subject to availability, whilst we try to keep the website as up to date as possible errors may happen, in this situation you will be contacted to arrange a refund/alternative.
Errors can happen with sexing and morph identification. Should this be discovered before leaving us you are entitled to a refund. After the animal leaves us it is the customers responsibility to inform us within 48 hours of the animals arrival. Failing to do so may lose the customers eligibility for a refund.
It is the customers responsibility to have the correct setup available and ready for the animal, if you need any advice please do get in touch. We have the right to request proof of setup at any time, failure to provide an image of an appropriate setup or any image at all, may result in a full order cancellation and refund.
Guarantee for all inverts & amphibians is 24 hours. All other livestock is 48 hours. If issues/concerns are notified upon delivery, then this may be extended. All health related queries will be subject to a full investigation should an issue arise. Failing to provide us with the information we request may void any form of guarantee. If we find reason from the information that its injury or death was caused by negligence or incorrect husbandry then the guarantee may be void. Should death or abnormalities occur then you must inform us as soon as possible. In the unlikely event that an animal passes away please photograph the dead body and freeze until you have heard from us. If death or illness occurs after 7 days, and no health issues were reported, then Ridgeway will not be held responsible.
We have the right to refuse any sale, refund or guarantee at any time if we feel it is necessary.
Livestock sales are for customers aged 18+, if under this age you must have prior parent permission. If we have any reason to suspect this is not the case we will contact you before the animal is released.
When purchasing an animal from us you automatically agree to these terms of sale.
