Snakes
Eastern hognose care guide
Heterodon platirhinos
A dramatic bluffer that plays dead. Wild diet is toads, so captive feeding can take patience.
Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Eastern hognose enclosure size
Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing. An adult eastern hognose should live in at least 36" L × 18" W × 18" H; we build toward 48" L × 24" W × 18" H (4 × 2 × 1.5 ft, roughly 8 sq ft of floor and about a 90-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 18" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 30" L × 18" W × 12" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 48" L × 24" W × 18" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 18" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 90–95°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 84–88°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–78°F
- Night
- No lower than 65°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Low-level UVB (ShadeDweller / T5 6%) is beneficial but not strictly required. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 40–60%. Water bowl and a slightly damp burrowing layer.
Substrate and depth
Diggable soil/sand mix or aspen. Depth: 4–6 in.
Diet and feeding
Frozen-thawed mice every 5–7 days; some need toad-scented prey to start. Rear-fanged — mild venom, wash any bite.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Clutter — cork, leaf litter, plants — for cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Eastern hognose FAQ
How big should an adult Eastern hognose enclosure be?
At least 36" L × 18" W × 18" H, and we recommend building to 48" L × 24" W × 18" H — about 4 × 2 × 1.5 ft, or a 90-gallon glass equivalent. Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing.
What temperatures does an Eastern hognose need?
Basking or warm surface 90–95°F surface, warm side 84–88°F, cool side 72–78°F, night No lower than 65°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does an Eastern hognose need UVB?
Low-level UVB (ShadeDweller / T5 6%) is beneficial but not strictly required. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does an Eastern hognose need?
40–60%. Water bowl and a slightly damp burrowing layer.
What substrate is best for an Eastern hognose?
Diggable soil/sand mix or aspen, at a depth of 4–6 in.
How big does an Eastern hognose enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 18" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own eastern hognose record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.