RecoverySnakes
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
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.
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.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own western hognose record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.