What do hognose snakes eat?
When they are first hatched, and are very small, they can eat cut chicken hearts. As they get bigger, they transition to eating pinkies. Feed a hognose like most other pet snakes.
In the wild, hognose snakes can eat toads and amphibians. As pets, hognose snakes are not unique in what they eat.
Feed them like you would any other common pet snake.
Pinkie mice: newborn mice (usually frozen/thawed). This is the standard feeder for most pet hognoses once they’re big enough.
Fuzzy mice: slightly older/larger mice, used as the snake grows; they’re the next step up from pinkies.
Chicken hearts or pieces: often used for newly hatched or picky eaters before they transition to rodents.
The challenge when they are first hatched, is that they are quite small. You can cut up chicken hearts to give them appropriately sized food.
As they get bigger, you can store frozen pinkies and thaw them when you need to feed your hungry little hisser.
Consider interacting with your hognose with and without food, so they don't just associate your company exclusively with food. They might confuse you for a snack.
Corky Lorenz
October 11, 2025