Are hognose snakes good pets?
Hognose snakes can make good pets for people who appreciate their dramatic, hissy personalities. They’re harmless, expressive, and a little theatrical, which some people find charming and others find annoying.
The first time I encountered my partner’s hognose, he knew I was about to be surprised. He held the snake out to me, and when I got close and touched it, it hissed and startled me. He didn’t miss a beat. It didn’t scare him at all, and he laughed and said that happens with every new person who meets them.
Hognose snakes are known to be dramatic and hissy. When you approach them, they’ll start hissing and sometimes pretend they’re going to strike, but for the most part, they’re harmless. They just like to make a big show.
If you’re looking for a snake that won’t startle you, the hognose might not be for you. But if you enjoy that personality and think their turned-up nose is cute, you’ll probably like their temperament.
They can be a little trickier to feed than snakes like boas, which usually eat easily without persuasion. Most hognose snakes feed well, but sometimes it takes patience if they’re in a mood.
Whether a hognose is good for handling depends on the individual snake’s temperament. My partner has two adults. The female is handleable but sometimes looks like she might strike or bite, and she has envenomated his hand once. The male is calmer and will even snuggle in his hoodie while he sits on the couch.
The first time I encountered my partner’s hognose, he knew I was about to be surprised. He held the snake out to me, and when I got close and touched it, it hissed and startled me. He didn’t miss a beat. It didn’t scare him at all, and he laughed and said that happens with every new person who meets them.
Hognose snakes are known to be dramatic and hissy. When you approach them, they’ll start hissing and sometimes pretend they’re going to strike, but for the most part, they’re harmless. They just like to make a big show.
If you’re looking for a snake that won’t startle you, the hognose might not be for you. But if you enjoy that personality and think their turned-up nose is cute, you’ll probably like their temperament.
They can be a little trickier to feed than snakes like boas, which usually eat easily without persuasion. Most hognose snakes eat well, but sometimes it takes patience if they’re in a mood.
Whether a hognose is good for handling depends on the individual snake’s temperament. My partner has two adults. The female is handleable but sometimes looks like she might strike or bite, and she has envenomated his hand once. The male is calmer and will even snuggle in his hoodie while he sits on the couch.
Corky Lorenz
October 18, 2025