Snakes
Tricolor hognose care guide
Xenodon pulcher
A coral-snake-patterned South American hognose, very active and fast-feeding.
Terrestrial — floor space first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Tricolor hognose enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult tricolor 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
- 88–92°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 82–86°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–78°F
- Night
- No lower than 68°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 humid hide.
Substrate and depth
Diggable soil/sand mix or aspen. Depth: 3–4 in.
Diet and feeding
Frozen-thawed mice every 5–7 days. 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.
Tricolor hognose FAQ
How big should an adult Tricolor 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. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Tricolor hognose need?
Basking or warm surface 88–92°F surface, warm side 82–86°F, cool side 72–78°F, night No lower than 68°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does a Tricolor 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 a Tricolor hognose need?
40–60%. Water bowl and a humid hide.
What substrate is best for a Tricolor hognose?
Diggable soil/sand mix or aspen, at a depth of 3–4 in.
How big does a Tricolor 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 tricolor hognose record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.