Hognose snakes are carnivorous reptiles that feed on a variety of prey items. While they primarily consume toads, hognose snakes also prey on frogs, mice, lizards and other small mammals.
Maintain the health of your hognose snake by offering it a variety of food sources and providing it with hides or climbing furniture to stimulate its activity level.
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Cane toads
Cane toads are poisonous throughout their entire life cycle: eggs, tadpoles, toadlets and adult toads. Their venom secreted through parotoid glands can kill or harm many native animals when ingested – including snakes and frogs.
Cane toads are posing a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystems across Australia’s range, having invaded Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. A coordinated threat abatement program is essential for national conservation benefits as well as protection of native species.
Tree frogs
Tree frogs are an abundant group of amphibians, found worldwide except Antarctica. Most tree frogs live in trees and have evolved special adaptations that enable them to climb and jump.
They are adept at catching prey such as insects and small animals with their long tongues. By using their long tongues, these predators use their long fingers to catch their prey and bring it directly into their mouth.
Tree frogs come in a variety of species, such as the Western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) and green tree frog (Litoria caerulea). These amphibians feed on various prey items like flies, ants, crickets, and beetles.
Lizards
Snakes rely heavily on lizards as food sources. They also prey upon other prey animals like birds, frogs, insects and small mammals.
One way to attract lizards to your yard is by providing them with a safe haven. You can do this by including rocks, logs or large bits of bark in your garden as sheltering spots.
Hognose snakes primarily feed on amphibians, but they will also consume small lizards, rodents, and other creatures’ eggs – including turtle eggs!
Live food
Hognose snakes can be fed a variety of live foods, such as crickets, pinkies, fuzzies and mice. Feeding them a diet that is higher in nutrient density is beneficial to their wellbeing as well as that of you the owner.
Live prey can help your pet snake become accustomed to being handled, which is beneficial. However, be mindful that even tame Western Hognose should never be over handled.
Reptile pellets
Reptile pellets are a staple diet for many reptiles, particularly snakes. Not only do they provide high protein and vitamin-rich nutrition that’s easily mixed into live food dishes, but they’re also easy to clean up afterward.
Herbivorous reptiles should consume 25-50% of their diet in dry matter, consisting of fresh greens, fruits and vegetables.
Reptile flakes
Reptile flakes are perfect for gut loading crickets and other feeder insects. Not only do they contain essential vitamins and minerals that your pet will require, but they are also an excellent source of energy.
Feed crickets and other insects a variety of nutritious foods like fresh vegetables, whole wheat breads, and grains for 24 hours before providing them to your reptile.
Calcium powder can be an invaluable addition to cricket and other insect diets, especially for preventing metabolic bone disease. Just make sure your supplement doesn’t contain phosphorus as that will reduce the benefits of calcium and vitamin D3.
Reptile granules
Reptile granules are an efficient way to create a barrier that keeps snakes and lizards out of your yard or garden. They come in powder form so you can either pour them directly onto your landscape, or mix them with water for larger areas.
Granules made with organic ingredients are safe for pets and children, while being biodegradable so they won’t harm the environment or your furry friend.
Water
Hognose snakes, like all reptiles, require water to hydrate their bodies and maintain a normal body temperature. Regular tap water works great for this purpose; filtered or spring water are both safe options that reptiles can drink.
Hognose snakes require substrate to burrow and hide in. Their enclosures should have 3-5 inches of loose soil made up of reptile-safe sand and pebbles for the best environment possible. This mixture helps encourage natural behavior.
Substrate
Substrate is the material beneath which your reptiles live and play. It also influences temperature and humidity levels in their enclosure.
Hognose snakes are burrowing species, so they require a substrate that’s loose enough for them to dig in and absorb moisture. We suggest providing this species with at least 3′ of loose material.
We suggest providing your snake with a water dish large enough for it to comfortably soak. Keep this bowl clean at all times by regularly scrubbing it clean and rinsing with an animal-safe disinfectant like F10SC or chlorhexidine.
