Extreme Red Albino Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus) Care Sheet

Quick Facts

Attribute	Details
Common Name	Extreme Red Albino Hognose Snake
Scientific Name	Heterodon nasicus
Origin	North America (Plains region) – captive-bred morph
Adult Size	60–90 cm
Lifespan	15–20 years in captivity
Activity	Diurnal / crepuscular, mild-mannered

Behavior

• Small, stout-bodied colubrid; mild-tempered and generally docile.

• Famous for bluffing behaviors: flattening neck, hissing, and mock strikes.

• Typically non-venomous and harmless to humans.

• Burrowing behavior; spends much time under substrate during the day.

Enclosure Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 40 liters for an adult

• Substrate: 10–15 cm of aspen shavings, coconut fiber, or loose soil; allows burrowing

• Decor: Hides, logs, rocks; secure lid required

• Humidity: 40–60%

• Temperature:

  • Basking: 28–30°C

  • Ambient: 24–26°C

  • Night: 20–22°C

• Lighting: Indirect or low light; UVB not required but can be offered

• Ventilation: Good airflow

Compatibility

• Best housed singly; non-aggressive toward conspecifics but may fight if confined.

• Avoid housing with other species of reptiles.

Diet

• Carnivorous; feeds primarily on rodents:

  • Appropriately sized frozen-thawed or live mice (pre-killed preferred)

• Feed juveniles every 4–5 days; adults every 7–10 days

• Provide shallow water dish for drinking and soaking

Care Tips

• Provide burrowable substrate to encourage natural behaviors.

• Maintain stable temperature and humidity for health and digestion.

• Spot-clean regularly; remove feces and shed.

• Minimize handling during feeding or shedding.

• Monitor health; watch for refusal to eat or abnormal shedding.

Breeding

• Oviparous; females lay 10–25 eggs after brumation.

• Eggs incubate for ~55–65 days at 27–29°C.

• Hatchlings are independent immediately and require appropriately sized prey.

Visual Quick Guide

• 🏠 Enclosure: ≥40 L, burrowable substrate, hides

• 🌡️ Temp: Basking 28–30°C / Ambient 24–26°C / Night 20–22°C

• 💧 Humidity: 40–60%

• 🍴 Diet: Carnivorous (appropriately sized rodents)

• 🕒 Activity: Diurnal / crepuscular, mild-mannered

• ⚠️ Stress: Avoid overhandling; provide burrows and secure hides

Please note: We don't ship live animals. You can order online and choose click and collect, and we will hold it for you.