Snakes
Western hognose care guide
Heterodon nasicus
A small, diurnal digging snake. Floor space and substrate depth matter far more than height — they spend much of the day buried.
Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Western hognose enclosure size
Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing. An adult western hognose should live in at least 36" L × 18" W × 12" H; we build toward 48" L × 24" W × 16" H (4 × 2 × 1.3 ft, roughly 8 sq ft of floor and about a 80-gallon glass equivalent).
Females are much larger than males — build for the female.
- Hatchling / baby
- 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 16" L × 12" W × 8" H
- Juvenile
- 36" L × 18" W × 12" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 48" L × 24" W × 16" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 12" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead halogen on a dimming thermostat; heat should reach the substrate surface, not just the air.
- Basking / warm surface
- 90–95°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 85°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–78°F ambient
- Night
- Down to 70°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 6% — hognose are diurnal and clearly benefit. Run lights on a 12–14 hours photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 30–50%. Dry substrate with one humid hide; over-humid setups cause scale rot.
Substrate and depth
Topsoil / play sand / coco fibre mix that holds a burrow. Depth: 4–6 in.
Get a cleaning schedule for this substrate →Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Deep diggable substrate
- Two hides
- Small water bowl
- Flat rocks and low clutter
Build list
- 36–48in front-opening enclosure — Floor space is the priority for a digger.
- Halogen bulb + dimming thermostat — Warms the substrate surface where they bask.
- 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 — stick-on dials are inaccurate.
- Bulk topsoil/sand mix — 6 inches of burrow-holding substrate takes real volume.
Western hognose FAQ
How big should an adult Western hognose enclosure be?
At least 36" L × 18" W × 12" H, and we recommend building to 48" L × 24" W × 16" H — about 4 × 2 × 1.3 ft, or a 80-gallon glass equivalent. Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing.
What temperatures does a Western hognose need?
Basking or warm surface 90–95°F surface, warm side 85°F ambient, cool side 72–78°F ambient, night Down to 70°F. Overhead halogen on a dimming thermostat; heat should reach the substrate surface, not just the air.
Does a Western hognose need UVB?
T5 UVB 6% — hognose are diurnal and clearly benefit. Photoperiod: 12–14 hours.
What humidity does a Western hognose need?
30–50%. Dry substrate with one humid hide; over-humid setups cause scale rot.
What substrate is best for a Western hognose?
Topsoil / play sand / coco fibre mix that holds a burrow, at a depth of 4–6 in.
How big does a Western hognose enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 16" L × 12" W × 8" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
How often should I clean western hognose enclosures?
Spot-clean daily and deep clean on a schedule that depends on your substrate. Get a cleaning schedule.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own western hognose record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.