Heterodon nasicus

Western Hognose Snake

An upturned snout looks like a miniature digging tool.

Reference photo, not the individual on display. Credits appear below.

Care commitment Specialist setup

Habitat Ground & cover

Visiting Watch quietly

Meet your new acquaintance

Nickname Little Sand Shovel

Mainly diurnal; ground-dwelling and burrowing

Species highlights

A little shovel at the snout

The upturned snout becomes meaningful when it turns loose substrate. A memorable comparison connects to a practical ground-exploration tool.

Burrowing can provide shelter, prey access and microhabitat choices; the visible surface is only part of its usable space.

Famous death-feigning belongs to a separate defensive context, not the required finale to every observation. Natural digging traces already tell a complete story about form and lifestyle.

Feature sources:

U.S. National Park Service · Plains Hognose Snake

At a glance

This is the plains or western hognose snake, Heterodon nasicus, of central North American grasslands and loose soils. Its upturned, firm snout works like a small digging tool for searching and burrowing, rather than a device for pushing people.

Loose soils provide concealment and potential prey. The upturned snout turns substrate while the stout body follows, linking shape with ground life.

Females are generally larger and lay eggs. Defensive flattening, hissing or death-feigning are context-dependent responses, not a compulsory sequence performed for every encounter.

Common names Western Hognose Snake; Heterodon nasicus

Scientific name Heterodon nasicus

Native rangeCentral North America, especially the Great Plains

Adult sizeOften about 40–90 cm total length; females usually larger

ActivityMainly diurnal; ground-dwelling and burrowing

Diet Captive diets commonly use appropriately sized whole thawed rodents, following established intake and body condition. A wild amphibian component does not justify collecting wild frogs for feeding.

Habitat & care

Provide diggable substrate, a thermal gradient and hides. Bites and oral secretions can cause reactions; never tease it into biting.

Values guide routine care, not breeding or brumation. Dimensions are length × width × height for one adult unless stated otherwise; larger animals need more space.

TemperatureBasking surface 32–35°C Cool-end air 21–24°C; nights may be around 20–24°C.

Humidity30–50% Mid-enclosure air reference; provide a locally moist lower layer and at least 10cm of burrowable substrate.

LightingLight cycle & cover Maintain a day–night cycle; if UVB is used, allow voluntary access to shade.

Space90×45×45 cm Recommended starting size; use larger housing for large females and allow full extension without hides and water occupying all floor space.

Look a little closer

Examine the upturned snout in profile and compare it with the mouth line. During substrate exploration, watch whether the snout touches the surface or enters and pushes loose material. Follow the stout body behind it and trace the dorsal blotches.

Care note: Confirm a stable feeding history and do not force feeding or provoke bites.

About this profile

Size ranges are reference values; sex, origin and age affect appearance.

Profile status: Reference profile · Reviewed 2026-10-20

References (4)

Photo: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dipsadidae_Heterodon_nasicus_1.jpg CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original image, credit and licence

Behaviour notes describe the species, not a promise about every individual. These care notes introduce its needs; ask our team about the animal on display and any supervised encounters.