Hognose Snake Temperature & Humidity Guide
Last updated: · Reviewed against sources listed below
A western hognose needs a basking spot of about 88–95°F, a cool end of 75–80°F, nights of about 65–75°F and fairly dry air of 30–50% humidity. Enter your readings in the checker above to see what needs adjusting.
Your readings
| Reading | Yours | Target | Status |
|---|
This is our temperature and humidity checker, preset for hognose snakes.
Hognose Snake temperature and humidity chart
| Zone | Target range | How to measure |
|---|---|---|
| Basking spot | 88–95°F31–35°C | Infrared thermometer on the surface |
| Cool side | 75–80°F24–27°C | Digital probe at floor level |
| Night low | 65–75°F18–24°C | Digital probe, after lights out |
| Humidity | 30–50% | Digital hygrometer at animal level |
Temperature gradient
Hognoses bask to warm up and then burrow or retreat to the cool end. After a meal they often bask more to digest. Give them the full range across the enclosure.
| Zone | Target |
|---|---|
| Basking spot (surface) | 88–95°F31–35°C |
| Cool end | 75–80°F24–27°C |
| Night | 65–75°F18–24°C |
| Humidity | 30–50% |
Veterinary guidance gives a warm side of 88–92°F, and keeper guides give a basking surface of 90–95°F. Our range covers both. Nights should not drop below about 60°F.
Humidity: keep it fairly dry
Western hognoses come from dry prairies, and 30–50% humidity suits them. In most homes that needs no extra work. If you live somewhere very dry and see stuck shed, pour a little water into the substrate at the cool end so the lower layers stay slightly damp, or offer a humid hide during a shed.
Avoid misting the whole enclosure or using wet substrates. Constant dampness can cause skin infections and breathing problems in this species.
How to measure
Use a digital probe thermometer on the basking surface and another on the floor at the cool end, and check surfaces with an infrared thermometer. A digital hygrometer at snake level shows humidity. Stick-on dial gauges are often several degrees off.
UVB and day length
Hognoses are active during the day and bask in partial sun in the wild. UVB is not required, but a low-output tube can encourage natural behavior. Aim for a UV index of about 2–3 at the basking spot, with shade and burrows elsewhere. Keep the light on for about 10–12 hours a day, and replace UVB tubes as the maker recommends, usually every 12 months.
Winter and brumation
Wild hognoses brumate through the winter, a rest period similar to hibernation. Pet hognoses do not need to brumate, and it should only be done with healthy adults, after a vet check, by keepers planning to breed. Many pet hognoses still eat less in winter, and adult males may fast for weeks.
See a reptile vet if your hognose breathes with its mouth open, wheezes, has bubbles or mucus at the nose, has repeated stuck shed, or is losing weight.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should a hognose tank be?
Aim for a basking surface of about 88–95°F, a cool end of 75–80°F, and nights of about 65–75°F, never below about 60°F. Measure the basking surface and the cool floor with digital probes, and run every heat source on a thermostat. Our checker above shows what to change if a reading is off.
What humidity does a western hognose need?
About 30–50%, which most homes provide without extra effort. If you see stuck shed in a very dry climate, dampen the lower substrate at the cool end or add a humid hide during a shed. Avoid wet substrate and heavy misting, which can cause skin and breathing problems.
Sources
- Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center — Western Hognose Snake Care
- ReptiFiles — Hognose Snake Temperatures, Humidity & Lighting
- Reptiles Magazine — Western Hognose Snake Care Sheet
- Baines F. et al. (2016). How much UV-B does my reptile need? The UV-Tool, a guide to the selection of UV lighting for reptiles and amphibians in captivity. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 4(1): 42–63
Where sources disagree we show the range they share. See our sources and methodology for how every number is checked.