So handling can be a concern when it comes to hognoses. Generally speaking, juvenile hognose snakes should receive one pinky mouse every 3-4 days, and adult hognose snakes should receive 2-3 rat fuzzies once a week. Eastern Hognose Snake Interesting Facts. A case of clinically significant local envenoming resulting from a bite inflicted by a Western hognose snake, Heterodon nasicus, is described. Western hognoses give “false strikes” by hitting the target with their head – instead of with their mouth. There are several reasons why Hognose Snakes are a good choice when it comes to snake ownership. Hognose snakes have a loud hiss, and they can flatten out their body in a way that makes their neck seem a bit like a cobra’s hood. Western Hognose Snake Bite. WCs — wild caught — snakes are less likely to thrive as pets. They use an alternative defense system to other snakes. They can be freely handled as any other snake may be, keeping in mind that over handling can lead to stress in any captive reptile. Non-poisonous snakes have teeth instead of fangs while the poisonous snakes cause fangs instead of teeth. However, there has been increased concern for their population, especially in the Northeastern range of their habitat. The fangs are just an adaptation to secure food. The patient was bitten while offering a juvenile mouse to a captive snake. Like other snakes, hognose snakes are carnivores, which means that they must eat whole animals in order to get the nutrition their bodies need. It will only bite if you feed it wrong. Name * Email * ... husbandry and behaviour of lizards, snakes, turtles, and more; we are here to provide anyone keeping or studying reptiles and amphibians with expert guidance. Hognose snakes are calm, docile pets that have won over the hearts of many snake collectors and people looking for a pet addition. With that being said, a Hognose snake is only mildly poisonous by its nature. Western hognose snake bites are rare and typically occur due to overeagerness during feeding time. Just treat them with respect and handle them calmly. The Eastern Hognose snake is a very interesting species to observe. Among Madagascans, most people do not like the giant hognose snake. Despite hognose snakes (and other colubrids) being venomous, they have a poor delivery system and have to chew to inject venom into their prey due to their fangs being halfway down their top jaw. Their diet does present some challenges, especially for the type of hognose snake that feeds almost exclusively on toads. Sometimes a hognose bite may lead to mild swelling at and around the bite site. If they can’t answer, it’s likely that the snake was wild caught. It’s important to leave it alone in its environment for at least a week without handling it at all. Check out the article to see 10 more awesome western hognose snake morphs! Western hognose snakes, like Wilbur here with his lake smelt, drive their rear fangs into their prey to bite and chew. Western Hognose Snake Bite. Hognose Snake Care Guide Table of Contents Ask an Expert Western Hognose Snakes are some of the easiest snakes to care for. Jun 27, 2020 - Since our first list was so popular, we've decided to post a part 2! Instead, pour a small capful of mint mouthwash onto the area the snake is biting. If they bite you, you're not going to die, a visit to the doctor might be in order but you're not going to get necrosis and have your hand fall off. There are videos on YouTube about the top 5 most friendly snakes and Hognose is #1. Its bite is mildly venomous, capable of sedating small prey, such as toads. Hognose snakes are sold annually by the thousands and pose little to no real threat to their keepers. Your email address will not be published. Hognose snake morphs can be found across the United States, and each subspecies of Hognose snakes has its own uniqueness and animalistic qualities about them. Getting a Hognose Snake Bite you in the First Place is Pretty Difficult. If you just got a new hognose snake just brought it home. Basic description. Western Hognose Snakes are small and the rear teeth are unlikely to Peirce your flesh with a quick defensive strike. Comment. The Eastern hognose snake is better known by its nickname, puff adder, derived from its aggressive display when disturbed. Western Hognose Snake Bite. These little snakes can show a real attitude, they do a bluff bite, a hognose is well known for avoiding confrontation but if back into a corner, rather than bite they will do a fake strike and not open their mouth. A reaction from a Western Hognose Snake bite is very unlikely to involve a trip to the ER and any swelling or pain should disappear with a day or two. The Western Hognose almost never bites so can be handled. The bites can only cause some swelling and pain, but not death in any way. Known by a variety of names, including the puff or spreading adder, the viper-headed hognose, and the Plains hognose, the western hog-nosed snake (Heterodon nasicus nasicus) was once treated as a marginal colubrid.It could usually be found on pre-Internet reptile price lists in the "Miscellaneous" section, with other snakes such as Thamnophis or Masticophis species. As I was looking for pictures of the rattlesnake skull, I stumbled across what's obviously (to snake people anyway) an emerald tree boa with teeth specifically designed to catch birds. Eastern Hognose Snake Source. So, an eastern hognose snake is also going to have teeth instead of fangs, also if you noticed fangs then make sure that you keep your distance because snakes with fangs tend to be very poisonous and venomous. For humans, the venom of the giant hognose snake is rather innocuous. Additionally, this adaptation makes these snakes adept burrowers. If a bite occurs, do not force the snake off by yanking on it, which could damage its jaws. These are stout-bodied snakes with slightly upturned, pointed snouts. They will “play dead”, falling onto their back with their tongue hanging out of its open mouth. For the record, there are no serious injuries indicated about the bite of the hognose snake. Feeding Your Corn Snake. The snake maintained a grip on the … Most adult eastern hog-nosed snakes are about 20-33 inches (51-84 cm) in total length. In addition, hognose snakes’ saliva was said to possess toxic, while others say there is no toxic in them. The Hognose will not bite. Because of breeders taking a keen interest in this snake, there are now approximately 200 and 300 different types of Hognose snake morphs. How Many Hognose Snake Morphs Are There? Hognose snakes get stressed out more easily when handling than other types of snakes. While there are many things worse than a hognose bite, I can’t say that I’d let them bite … Hognose snakes are known to be a bit aggressive when they are disturbed or trying to get some rest. If you do get bit, do not force the snake off by pulling on it, as this could damage its teeth and jaw. How to Select and Buy a Hognose Snake. It belongs to the cobra family, and a feature for them is that they have small fangs along the back of their jaws. They are timid, and can commonly be found hiding in their habitat. Animals. Some snakes will gently take food from tongs, or they might prefer having food left in a corner of the cage to eat when they are comfortable. Hognose snakes have a unique, shovel-like head and they are a common and popular breed of pet snake. Animals And Pet Supplies. Breeding and Lifespan The western hognose is an oviparous snake. Western hognoses are members of the Colubridae family, the largest family of snakes. You may take Benedryl as well, but only if you don’t have any contraindications. Hognose snakes are actually recommended by many for beginners, they are not considered dangerous at all. If you’re at a pet store or at a reptile expo, ask about the snake’s breeder. Explore. But although timid, they are still unique, and have their own habitat, feeding, and sanitation requirements. The Eastern Hognose was listed as least concern on the IUCN list in 2007. Prone to easily escape, the hognose snake usually needs a well-ventilated, dry cage with a lot of space and a tight-fitting lid. This might be due to its relatively large size, quick movements in high temperatures and her reputation to be venomous – although there exist only few reports of bite accidents. They are a member of the Colubrid family and smaller than the average pet snake, which is around three feet long.. A hognose snake is easy to take care of. Pet. First, they don’t get too large, especially in comparison to some tropical boas or pythons. Eastern Hognose Snake, Puff Adder, Hissing Adder, Spreading Adder, Blow Viper, Hissing Sand Snake. Western hognose snakes are not nonvenomous but possess potentially irritating saliva that may cause slight swelling and itching. When shopping for a pet hognose snake, what you want is a CBB — Captive Bred and Born. Pictures like these only further fear and hate toward snakes, and give fuel to the people who argue for reptiles to be outlawed as pets. It thrives well in a warm tank with plenty of substrates to burrow. To subdue their catch, they excrete an ever-so-slightly toxic saliva, which is harmless to humans. This toxic saliva is not at all harmful to humans, and till date, there has been no death owing to the bite of this snake. If you have been bitten by your snake, then you should wash the location of the bite with soap and water. These snakes belong to the poison-less species of snake family. Western hognose snakes are placid and docile, rarely ever trying to bite their owners. How To Identify If The Bite Is From Eastern Hognose Snakes? Also, unlike other few snakes, it can’t store the saliva. Snake bite pics aren’t cool; they’re dumb and damaging to the reptile community. The Ontario Endangered Species Act and Canadian Federal Species At Risk Act both list these snakes as threatened. Description: First aid for bites by non-front-fanged colubroid snakes likely to cause either no effects or only mild local effects. In all honesty, even when they’re nervous or they feel threatened they’re gonna hood up and kind of puff out their cheeks a little bit but if they’re to strike they’re gonna keep their mouth closed up most of the time. Details 1. When threatened, a Western hognose will play dead by rolling over onto its back and lolling out its tongue. How Western Hognose Snakes Feed. They have some very curious attributes and characteristics. Western hognose snakes bite very rarely though, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any of the bite symptoms. Hognose snakes rarely, if ever, bite humans. It is important to move slowly and exercise caution when handling. Just use tongs or forceps when feeding and you will be safe. Check out the article to see 10 more awesome western hognose snake morphs! Be the first to comment Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Quite unlike snakes, nose of the Eastern Hognose snakes have tilted upright nose that help them dig into sandy soil. “Platyrhinos,” the name of this species pertains to … The extremely rare bite from this rear-fanged snake is not regarded as dangerous to humans. It is like a little man syndrome! This is harmless to the snake and will result in it releasing its bite. Western Hognose Snake.