Now I must admit this is my first snake, I have had a few desert reptiles but I saw this guy at a reptile show and fell in love.
Here is the care sheet I got feel free to list any changes
Species: Western Hognose Snake Scientific Name: Heterodon nasicus
Longevity: 15-20 years
Size: 16-25 inches
Native to: Southern Alberta and northwest Manitoba, south to southeast Arizona, Texas, and into northern Mexico. Also Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas.
Diet: Hognose Snakes are carnivores and should be fed appropriate sized rodents (frozen thawed preferred). Juveniles (hatchlings to 6 months) should be fed once every 5 days, with adults being fed once a week.
Housing Requirements: Except in the case of an exceptionally large Hognose Snake, a 10 gallon aquarium is sufficient for this species. Mulch, aspen shavings or coco fiber make an excellent substrate.
NOTE: Snakes are excellent escape artists, so if there is a way to escape from the enclosure, they will find it. Make sure you use a locking style lid, or double locking system.
A hide box should be provided to give the animal the privacy that snakes require. The cage can be decorated with driftwood or climbing limbs as well as flat rocks and bark to provide hiding places. All of these will help the snake during its shed.
Water should be available at all times in a small but heavy bowl. Hognose snakes that are healthy and stress free do not generally soak in their water bowls. If the snake is soaking, the health of the snake and the husbandry procedures should be examined.
Lighting & Heating Requirements: Hognose Snakes require heat for proper digestion, and can be maintained at an average room temperature of 68 - 75 degrees F (18-21 C). There must also be a small area (1/4 - 1/3 of the total floor area of the cage) offering temperatures of 85 - 90 degrees F (26- 29 C). This can be provided by using either a heat pad, or heat lamp. Make sure that the animal can escape the heat to a cooler spot at the opposite end of the aquarium. Snakes do not require UV lighting.
A couple of questions, first is basking and cool end surface tempratues or ambiant ones? Also the person at the show said he had not been fed for about 4 days so on the 7th day (yesterday) I fed him the (reccommended) small (F/T) hopper (he is between 2-3 years old)He ate it no problem but sence then he went into his cool hide and has not been wondering around. I assume they have the same 1-2 week adjustment period as regular reptiles so I have not been handeling him I just want an accurate care sheet and to make sure the hopper is not going to rot inside him.
