In captivity, hognose snakes can be fed a variety of different prey. They are specialist toad predators, but can eat other reptiles, lizards, birds, insects, and small mammals.
When feeding a hognose snake, make sure to feed it an appropriate size meal. Generally speaking, the size of the meal should leave a visible lump in the snake after they eat it.
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Toads
If you’re considering a snake as your pet, the hognose is an excellent choice. It eats a wide variety of prey, including toads, frogs, salamanders, insects and small mammals, making it an easy and relatively low-maintenance option.
In addition to being able to adapt easily to a variety of foods, they’re also extremely docile and calm in captivity. It’s a great option for those who want a pet snake but may be intimidated by larger species like ball pythons.
Frogs
Unlike most snakes, hognose snakes are not picky eaters. They eat anything they can get their mouths on, including other reptiles, small mammals and birds.
During breeding season, female hognose snakes lay 4-23 eggs in an underground nest. Hatchlings are 5-9 inches long.
In captivity, hognose snakes feed predominately on amphibians, though they will also eat lizards and rodents. They can be fed young mice or a commercially prepared reptile diet, like Reptilinks, as part of their regular rotation.
Salamanders
Salamanders live largely in water and can be found in ponds or other damp areas, where they may breed. Many salamanders also inhabit shady, forested areas, where they hide under rocks or logs, or in burrows that they dig in the earth.
They may also be found in caves, where they live in complete darkness. They have very pale skin and greatly reduced eyes, which help them to stay out of the light of day.
Hognose snakes will eat small animals, including crickets, brine shrimp, bloodworms, night crawlers and mealworms. They are nocturnal, so feed them in the evenings.
Other Invertebrates
In the wild, hognose snakes will eat toads and frogs, salamanders, small rodents, reptile eggs, birds and insects.
In captivity, hognose snakes are typically opportunistic feeders and will eat a wide variety of animals. They may also eat eggs and hatchlings.
A common misconception is that hognose snakes primarily eat lizards and their eggs but this has not been confirmed in studies. In fact, they actually make up less than 11% of their diet, and the rest is made up of rodents.
Birds
A hognose snake’s diet may vary, but most snake keepers have reported that these reptiles prefer to eat frogs, salamanders, small mammals, and birds. They also tend to eat toads.
They can eat frozen prey and live animals, although you should always thaw out prey before feeding it to your pet hognose snake.
This species is often finicky and requires a lot of encouragement to eat, so you should be prepared to do some experimentation. They can also be easily confused with dead prey, so it’s best to feed them with forceps for safety.
Small Mammals
Eastern hognose snakes are known for their bluffing behavior. They inflate their heads, coil their bodies, and then hiss to scare off predators.
They also use their upturned snout to search for frogs and toads. When feeding, make sure to offer a variety of different prey types.
In the wild, western hognose snakes prefer sandy soil and burrow in woodlands and farmland. They live in the western United States from southern Canada to Southern Mexico.
Other Reptiles
Hognose snakes are omnivorous, and will eat toads, frogs, salamanders, insects, lizards, and small rodents. They are a great option for beginner reptile owners, as they make calm, docile pets that require less care than some other species.
In captivity, hognose snakes typically live for 15 to 20 years in good conditions. They have a lifespan that’s equal to or longer than the average snake in the wild, making them one of the longest-lived captive reptiles.
