Breeding Western Hog-Nosed Snakes Western hog-nosed snakes are generally easy to sex after their first shed, which occurs a day or so after hatching. ... Some breeders probe their babies, but this is not recommended for the western hognose due to the small size of hatchlings.

How long does it take to breed Hognose?

Mating season takes place between March and May. Thirty to 60 days after mating, the female lays between 4 and 23 eggs in a sandy nest. Eggs hatch in approximately 9 weeks, and the new offspring will be sexually mature within 2 years. Western hognose snakes live an average of 18 to 30 years.

When can Western hognose breed?

Males should be at least one year and 70 grams (0.15 Ibs) before breeding. Females should be at least two years old and 250 grams (0.5 Ibs). You'll need to induce brumation (i.e., hibernation for reptiles). This lasts two to three months, after which point you raise the temperature and begin feeding them again.

How many females can a male western hognose breed?

After copulation gestation can be as little as4 weeks or as long as 5 weeks. Females should be a minimum of 250g (but 300g+ is prime) males 60-75g plus. I have had males breed at 9 months of age and 15in with a weight of only 60g, don't under estimate these little guys , one male can service 3-5 females.

How many babies do Hognoses have?

Clutches can be anywhere from eight to 25 or more eggs. After the eggs are laid, remove them from the nesting box and place them in an incubation container with moistened vermiculite.

How to Breed Hognose Snakes in 5 EASY Steps | WE'VE GOT EGGS!

18 related questions found

What do Hognoses eat?

Life History. The western hognose snake uses its upturned snout to burrow through the earth in search of toads, its principal food. Other items eaten include frogs, lizards, mice, birds, snakes and reptile eggs. Not dangerous to man, the western hognose snake uses a slightly toxic saliva to help subdue its prey.

Do you have to Brumate Western hognose?

Brumation also isn't necessary in order to successfully breed Western Hognose snakes. This guide exists because even though we have bred hognose without brumation, we at Ectotherm Empire still prefer to go through this period every winter anyway.

Should I get a male or female hognose snake?

Females are bigger, better feeder and more docile. Male are docile too but will go in cobra mode being all hissy a lot more often than females will, even worst when you feed them, you also experience a lot more feeding issues with males.

What age do hognose snakes lay eggs?

Hognose snakes mate soon after emerging from brumation in late spring. Females lay their eggs in early summer and, after incubating for a month or two, the eggs hatch in late summer. Females lay clutches of 15 to 25 eggs on average in sandy depressions under rocks or logs.

How do you Brumate a hognose?

All you need to do is stop feeding for 2 to 3 weeks to be sure their systems are clear of any waste... After the 2 to 3 weeks of not feeding, put them right at room temp for 24 hours and then put them right into their brumation temps... Proper brumation temps should be no higher than 60 degrees F...

What size tank does a western hognose need?

The minimum enclosure size recommended for housing a single western hognose is 18”L x 18”W x 24”H. However, when it comes to choosing a terrarium for pet reptiles, keep in mind that larger is always better! Multiple hognose snakes should not be housed together in the same enclosure.

How long are hognose snakes pregnant?

You are looking at 35 days or so from lock up to egg laying...

Is my Hognose Brumating?

Brumation is the reptile equivalent of hibernation; a period of time when they slow down, stop eating, and sleep for weeks on end. ... For western hognoses, brumation should last about 3 months, starting in December and ending at the end of February.

Do Western hognose snakes hibernate?

Prior to breeding, the hognose snake should go through a cooling down or hibernation or brumation period of two to four months. ... Most owners will hibernate their hognose snakes during the winter months.

How fast do female hognose snakes grow?

They tend to mature very fast- since after a year from birth, males are ready to mate and after 16-18 months so are females! These snakes will continue to grow through their life- however they will grow rapidly for the first 6 to 8 years of their life.

How big do male Western Hognoses get?

Western Hognose Snake Size

Female Western hognoses can grow to a maximum size just short of 3 feet, with a weight that normally does not exceed 800 grams. Males are somewhat smaller, averaging between 14 to 24 inches.

How fast do Western Hognoses grow?

For Western Hognoses, the growth rate is fastest as a hatchling and slows with age. They typically reach a full size between 2 and 4 years of age. A hatchling will typically grow about 20mm a month for the first 9 months of life. This will slow down to about 5mm a month as the snake reaches 4 years of age.

Can Hognoses live together?

Multiple adults can be kept together, just make sure you separate them for feeding so they don't fight over food. Hognose snakes will feel more secure if there is a place to hide on the cool side and the warm side of the enclosure. Like all snakes. ... You can use many types of bedding for your snake.

Can Hognoses eat rats?

They are a small snake. Even a big female would never need anything larger than what a mouse can offer. They can eat rats of appropriate size though. A hatchling Hognose is way to small to eat a tiny pinky rat.

Are Hognoses good beginner snakes?

Are hognose snakes good for beginners? Yes and no. ... However, these do make for excellent pets for first-time snake owners since they're slightly less picky than ball pythons. With that being said, corn snakes are generally considered the best pet snake for beginners, although hognoses aren't much more difficult.

Can Hognoses eat eggs?

If you're concerned about your snake getting parasites from wild-caught amphibians, freeze them before feeding. Human-grade cuts of meat or bits of cooked egg can make a nice treat, but they should never be offered regularly because they're simply not nutritious enough.