Western hognose enclosure size and setup

Western hognose at a glance

Minimum enclosure

36 × 18 × 18 inches91 × 46 × 46 cm, about 50 gallons

Warm side

90-95°F

Cool side

70-75°F

Humidity

30-50%

UVB

Zone 2

Group

Snakes

Minimum shown suits adult females. Males stay small and can use about 30 × 13 × 13. Loves to burrow.

Common questions

What size enclosure does a western hognose need?

At least 36 × 18 × 18 inches (91 × 46 × 46 cm) for one adult, about 50 gallons. Floor space matters more than height for this species. Bigger is always better if you have room.

What temperature should a western hognose enclosure be?

Aim for a warm side of 90-95°F and a cool side of 70-75°F, so it can move between the two to control its body temperature. Check with a digital probe thermometer, not a stick-on dial.

What humidity does a western hognose need?

30-50%. A digital hygrometer in the middle of the enclosure gives the most useful reading.

Does a western hognose need UVB?

Yes, Zone 2, which means moderate UVB, for animals that bask now and then. Match your bulb and its distance to that level using the maker's chart, and replace it on schedule.

Which common tanks fit an adult western hognose?

Of the common sizes, these meet the adult minimum: 75 gallon (48 × 18 × 21 in), 4 × 2 × 2 (120 gallon) (48 × 24 × 24 in), 4 × 2 × 4 tall (48 × 24 × 48 in), 6 × 2 × 2 (72 × 24 × 24 in), 6 × 3 × 4 (72 × 36 × 48 in), 8 × 4 × 4 (96 × 48 × 48 in).

These are common hobbyist guidelines for a healthy adult, based mostly on published species care guides. Babies, sick animals and specific localities can need different setups, so check with a reptile vet for anything serious.

More tools for your western hognose

• Substrate
• Bioactive layers
• Running cost
• UVB bulb tracker
• Prey size
• Egg incubation

Other reptiles