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Reproduction of the Hognose Snake
In order to simulate spring and stimulate breeding, Western Hognose snakes, like many North American colubrids, require a six to eight week hibernation period. For the males, the lower temperatures may be required for proper sperm development. Stop feeding the snakes at least two weeks prior to hibernation, allowing them to empty their digestive tracts. Then move each into a box with aspen bedding and a small water dish. Secure the box tightly shut, place it in a closet in a cool room, and cover it over to keep it dark. In the wild, a snake would spend its hibernation underground, perhaps in a rodent's burrow, where there would be no day-night cues. The temperature for hibernation should be between 55 and 59 F, and hibernating snakes should be gently checked and given clean water every week or so. If a hibernating snake is becoming thin or is exhibiting any sign of illness, especially respiratory problems, it should be slowly brought up to normal temperatures and treated immediately. If course, only healthy snakes should be hibernated in the first place. After six to eight weeks, the hibernating snakes should be slowly warmed up. First, remove the cover and keep the closet door open for two days. Next put the snakes into their normal tanks, but with all heating elements turned off. After another day or two, turn the heating apparatus back on. After another three to four days, offer food.
Once the snakes are reeding well and the female has had four or so meals, the snakes can be introduced. Carefully observe the interaction of the snakes, especially if your male is significantly smaller than your female, as she may try to eat him! Frequently, if a female is interested in mating, she will indicated this by thrashing her tail back and forth.
Egg-laying
In most females you should be able to notice a swelling of the abdomen. Several days before egg-laying the female will become very restless and will constantly burrowing in her cage. For a nesting box use a medium-sized round plastic food storage container with a 1 1/2" diameter hole cut out of the lid. Fill the container 3/4 full will damp sphagnum moss. Hognoses lay from five to twenty-five eggs, with ten being an average count.
Incubation
Eggs should be incubated at 78-82 F and take about six weeks to hatch. A commercial incubator or a homemade set-up can be used. You can even incubated eggs in a plastic shoebox place on a heat pad, after carefully testing the temperature settings. Use vermiculite and water (50:50 by weight) as the incubation media. Hatching begins after 45 days of incubation. Instead of hatching all at once, they may hatch over a five day period. .