Hognose snakes are popular choices in herpetoculture because they’re easy to care for in captivity and remain peaceful, yet require special diets to thrive. How to find the hognose snake for sale?
Coral Snow Western Hognose Snakes are rare morphs distinguished by a cream-white base, featuring stunning brown dots within black rings encasing their dark circles. These magnificent and expensive serpents are pretty to look at!
1. The snout is upturned
Hognose snakes are diurnal hunters that consume prey smaller than them, typically rodents, lizards, and amphibians, but will also feed on fish and birds.
Anacondas often kill their prey by constriction to suffocate them until they cannot breathe, often crushing or breaking bones. But research now indicates that this action overwhelms their circulatory system and prevents blood from reaching its destination – the brain.
Hognose snake breeders frequently produce morphs with specific coloration patterns or variations. For instance, lavender hognose snakes possess the gene that restricts melanin production to create their unique purple hue – thus commanding an increased premium price point when purchasing one from breeders.
2. The body is blotchy
The Hognose snake is one of the most visually stunning snakes available due to its various color morphs. Each color morph has a reduced pattern that blends in seamlessly with natural wooded environments, and they can even be combined to produce vibrant new colors! Additionally, breeding can produce even brighter hues.
The coral snow western hognose snake is an elegant example of this. With peach-yellow skin tone and dark block-shaped spots resembling bands, its striking appearance earned it the moniker “toffee condo,” but fully grown specimens will cost thousands.
Another popular morph is the super arctic western hognose snake, featuring a creamy white base contrasted by brown blocks that cover its entire body and are outlined with black rings – making this a high-contrast species.
3. The eyes are round
Hognose snakes have quickly become one of the most beloved reptile pets. Easy to care for, long-lived, and appealing appearance – these qualities make hognose snakes appealing pets in any setting. As a result, breeders have developed various color and pattern variations commonly known as designer snakes.
Some of the most coveted hognose morphs include the sable, shadow, jaguar, and caramel species. A sable hognose snake features more pigmentation on its body than its counterparts for an eye-catching appearance. In contrast, shadow hognoses feature large spots with squared shapes creating a shadow effect, and jaguar hognoses feature irregular patterns similar to those found on jaguars.
The caramel hognose snake features a light yellow or tan body with caramel markings. This species often co-occurs with other morphs, such as the super arctic or tiger patterns, for a more significant impact.
4. The tail is long
Hognose snakes have thick skin that is difficult to shed. Adding water and maintaining the correct humidity levels in their habitat will assist them.
Hognose snakes tend to react defensively when threatened, hissing and flattening their necks to imitate cobras – also, they may fake strikes but rarely attack humans directly.
African Land Snakes (ALWs) are active snakes and thrive when kept correctly in captivity for up to two decades. Therefore, regular weight checks should be conducted on these snakes and monitoring for mouth rot and respiratory infections; additionally, they should have access to a large bowl of clean water that allows them to soak comfortably and ensures it remains clear at all times.
5. The skin is thick
Hognose snakes possess thick, yellow, pinkish brown, gray, or olive bodies, with large rectangular spots patterned onto each side. Their scales have keeled edges, while the underside of their tail is lighter than their belly.
Contrary to common perception, eastern hognose snakes do not rely on constrictors; instead, their tongues capture prey and sense heat, so these reptiles are less adept at grappling live rodents than many other snakes.
Whenever a hognose feels threatened, it will flatten its neck and hiss like a cobra and hiss. At the same time, simultaneously feign striking or even playing dead to deter potential attackers. Unfortunately, such behavior is never guaranteed, as these snakes rarely bite. Furthermore, harassing, killing, or collecting these species is illegal in Massachusetts.
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