Wild hognose snakes mainly eat toads, while captive hognose snakes can usually be switched to pre-killed mice, though some need a little coaxing.
What Hognose Snakes Eat in the Wild
Hognose snakes use their upturned snouts to dig. Toads are their favorite food, and they are partly able to handle the toxins in toad skin. They will also eat frogs, salamanders, lizards, small rodents, and reptile eggs depending on the species. Their enlarged rear teeth help them puncture inflated toads.
What to Feed a Pet Hognose
Captive-bred western hognose snakes are the easiest to keep and usually accept frozen-thawed mice.
- Hatchlings: pinky mice, sometimes needing scenting with a frog, lizard, or fish scent to get them started.
- Juveniles: fuzzy and hopper mice.
- Adults: adult mice. Fed every 7 to 14 days depending on size.
Eastern hognose snakes are pickier and often prefer amphibians, so they are better for experienced keepers. Do not feed wild-caught toads to a pet, since they can carry parasites and toxins.
Are Hognose Snakes Dangerous?
No. They have mildly toxic saliva and rear fangs, but they are shy and reluctant to bite. If threatened, they flatten their necks, hiss, and may roll over and play dead with their tongues hanging out. Because they look a bit like copperheads, they are often killed by mistake, so please leave wild ones alone.
Bottom Line
Hognose snakes eat toads in the wild and pre-killed mice in captivity. Keep feeding gentle and consistent. Related guides: feeding snakes frozen mice, what rat snakes eat, and what gopher snakes eat.
If your hognose refuses food repeatedly or loses weight, check with a reptile vet.
