Normal
Hognose Snake · 0 live listings
The normal western hognose is the wild-type form of a small, stocky snake from the North American plains, named for the upturned snout it uses to dig. It is famous for theatrics: hooding, hissing, bluff strikes and playing dead rather than biting.
At a glance
The tradeoffs, honestly
Hognoses are rear-fanged with mild venom, and a rare chewing bite can cause local swelling in some people. Many, males especially, go off food in fall and winter.
Common questions
Is a hognose venomous?
Mildly. Hognoses are rear-fanged, and a chewing bite can cause local swelling, itching or bruising in some people. Bites are uncommon because they bluff and play dead first. Wash any bite and see a doctor if swelling spreads.
Why did it play dead?
It is a defense display. A nervous hognose may flatten its neck, hiss and bluff-strike with a closed mouth, then roll over with its tongue out. Young snakes do it most, and most settle with calm, regular handling.
What health records should come with it?
Ask for a clear fecal and a negative crypto PCR, plus a dated feeding log showing several meals on unscented frozen-thawed mice. A hatch record with the clutch date and both parents ties the snake to its genetics.
Ask the seller for these. Documents on Everybarn are on file for your own checks; we don't check them with the issuer.
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