Hognose terrarium size preferences

[Ryodraco]

I've been reading up on hognoses lately, and it seems they might be what I'm looking for in a active, diurnal snake. However, I have found a bit of conflicting information.

Namely I have seen it stated repeatedly that hognoses don't like overly large enclosures. Yet I have also read that making the enclosure too small (like a ten gallon aquarium size) inhibits their ability to thermoregulate effectively as there isn't enough space for the other end of the terrarium to cool down sufficiently from the quite high hot end temperatures they prefer.

I'm a fan of Exo Terra terrariums, and basically would like to know what among them you think would make the best adult hognose enclosure. I presume a low one would be recommended as they don't climb much and it might make them feel more secure than having a high ceiling. But then there is the question of length. The two size classes I am looking at are:

60 x 45 x 30 cm / 24” x 18” x 12” (WxDxH)

And

90 x 45 x 30 cm / 36” x 18” x 12” (WxDxH)

Now the larger one I presume would be okay for a female hognose, but the smaller one is only 4 inches wider than ten gallon aquarium which I read is too small.

I guess a quicker way to ask this is at what size does a terrarium typically become threatening to a hognose of a given size?

[Slcburm]

IM surprised the resident hognose asshat hasnt answered yet...Oh well give her..err him a little time and it will

[StudentoReptile]

The 24x18 should be fine for a male hognose. And likewise, the 36x18 should be adequate for an adult female.

[Gregg M]

Originally Posted by Slcburm

IM surprised the resident hognose asshat hasnt answered yet...Oh well give her..err him a little time and it will

How mature of you...


Anyway, to answer the OPs question, Those sizes are perfectly acceptable for adults. The smaller being for adult males and the larger for adult females.

Hope this helps.

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by Slcburm

IM surprised the resident hognose asshat hasnt answered yet...Oh well give her..err him a little time and it will

OK, That's it people.

I have had it with the willy nilly name calling bullshat.

Bye bye...

We are going to get back to a professional friendly place, even if it means a massive house cleaning to get there.

[EmbraceCalamity]

Originally Posted by infernalis

OK, That's it people.

I have had it with the willy nilly name calling bullshat.

Bye bye...

We are going to get back to a professional friendly place, even if it means a massive house cleaning to get there.

Awww. You're no fun.

~Maggot

[Gregg M]

Originally Posted by infernalis

OK, That's it people.

I have had it with the willy nilly name calling bullshat.

Bye bye...

We are going to get back to a professional friendly place, even if it means a massive house cleaning to get there.

Way to go bro. Lucky that the majority of people here are respectable and nice to eachother so you wont have to clean up much.

[Lankyrob]

Originally Posted by infernalis

OK, That's it people.

I have had it with the willy nilly name calling bullshat.

Bye bye...

We are going to get back to a professional friendly place, even if it means a massive house cleaning to get there.

Thank god for that

[KORBIN5895]

Originally Posted by Gregg M

How mature of you...


Anyway, to answer the OPs question, Those sizes are perfectly acceptable for adults. The smaller being for adult males and the larger for adult females.

Hope this helps.

Come on Gregg! You giggled. I really giggled when he got the boot. He is just jealous of your good looks , knowledge and success.
( I only believe in two of the three)

Originally Posted by infernalis

OK, That's it people.

I have had it with the willy nilly name calling bullshat.

Bye bye...

We are going to get back to a professional friendly place, even if it means a massive house cleaning to get there.

Good on you Wayne. It's about time. Now I better go back into hiding so I can keep my membership.....

@op

Are you sure you want a venomous snake?

[reptileexperts]

Hognose are only mildly venomous with them rarely biting and their absolutely weak toxins the OP should be fine even if one should sustain a bite. I have 5 hogs and the only time you're likely to get bit is during a feeding rush where they are biting at anything that moves, they are fun little worms to feed for sure!

As for size, I know breeders that use 32 qt tubs for males and females - roughly 16 1/8" x23 3/4" x 6" sterlite tubs. And their females are happy, healthy, and great breeders! Most females stay on the small side of the spectrum, if you ended up with a larger adult I would def rec going ahead with a 41 qt tub set up if you can, but for most females and all males 30.6 - 32 qt tubs will suffice. - My oldest male has been in a 30.6 qt tub happily for a while now, and has been with me for the better part of 6 years. My 2012 girls and boy are currently growing out in 12.2 qt tubs :-)



Hope this helps!

[Ryodraco]

Originally Posted by reptileexperts

Hognose are only mildly venomous with them rarely biting and their absolutely weak toxins the OP should be fine even if one should sustain a bite. I have 5 hogs and the only time you're likely to get bit is during a feeding rush where they are biting at anything that moves, they are fun little worms to feed for sure!

Indeed, I just need to make sure that if I do get bit I don't let it hang on and chew for minutes. That seems to be what causes the largest reaction.

As for size, I know breeders that use 32 qt tubs for males and females - roughly 16 1/8" x23 3/4" x 6" sterlite tubs. And their females are happy, healthy, and great breeders! Most females stay on the small side of the spectrum, if you ended up with a larger adult I would def rec going ahead with a 41 qt tub set up if you can, but for most females and all males 30.6 - 32 qt tubs will suffice. - My oldest male has been in a 30.6 qt tub happily for a while now, and has been with me for the better part of 6 years. My 2012 girls and boy are currently growing out in 12.2 qt tubs :-)

But tubs aren't the best for observing the animals are they? Hence why my questions centered on terrariums. I also wanted to know more about the statements I'd heard about hognoses being uncomfortable in large terrariums (presumably compared to other snakes of similar size, as it is my understanding most snakes are uncomfortable in enclosures that are too much larger than they are).

[reptileexperts]

Okie dokie then. . . just giving you a working size reference . . .

They don't stress in large containers as long as they have room to hide and burrow as desired. Same with many species of snakes with some exceptions (Many Morelia do not do well this way).

[Ryodraco]

Originally Posted by reptileexperts

Okie dokie then. . . just giving you a working size reference . . .

My apologies if I sounded ungrateful.

[Gregg M]

Originally Posted by reptileexperts

They don't stress in large containers as long as they have room to hide and burrow as desired.

For the most part, this statement is incorrect. Hognose snakes do indeed stress out in larger cages. In some cases it can mean the difference between your hognose eating or not eating. This is especially true for younger hogs.

Hide spots and burrowing options do not matter. For the most part, hogs do not stay hidden for any length of time. When kept correctly, they are very active snakes. If I had a hognose that stayed hidden all the time, I would be worried about it.

Not trying to be a jerk but you have like 5 hogs and most of them are not even yearlings yet. For you to say they do not stress in larger cages is a bit premature being that they are known to stress when they are kept in too large of a cage.

[reptileexperts]

I only have 5 westerns so my point is moot eh? Besides the fact I have been raising one of mine for 6 years, or the fact I've been working with Easterns for the better part of 13 years does not matter. Then again, what do I know I'm just comparing their wild side to their captive. . .