Ectotherm Empire
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  • Western Hognose
    • Western Hognose Morphs >
      • Albino Designer Morph Combinations
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      • Leucistic Designer Morph Combinations
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      • Pistachio Designer Morph Combinations
      • Swiss Chocolate Designer Morph Combinations
    • Western Hognose Care Information
    • Recommended Materials/Equipment
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Recommended Materials and Equipment


As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, so by purchasing through our links you allow us to earn a little "slice" of the sale and help to continue to fund this page.  Comparing products by their features, customer reviews, and prices is easy, however, Amazon was chosen almost entirely for uniformity.  Nearly everything we use can be found on Amazon. If it can't be, then substitutes are almost always available.

Enclosure

The selections below are intended for starting options for smaller, younger animals. The larger they get, the larger you can go for enclosures, generally. Please keep in mind, with hognose wide open spaces are not recommended. If you go up in tank size, the amount of clutter filling the tank should also increase. Our recommendation is always to start small and work your way up. It's a lot easier to go slowly rather than having to work backwards to get a previously feeding animal eating again.
  • Hamiledyi Mini Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank,12"x8"x6" Micro Snake Habitat Transparent Hermit Crab Breeding Box Small Amphibians Enclosure Cage for Baby Tortoise Gecko Lizard
  • Reptile Terrarium 4.5 Gallon Glass Reptile Tank 16"x7.8"x7" with Top Screen Ventilation,Hide Cave,Water Bowl for Bearded Dragon,Lizard,Spider,Hamster,Hermit Crab, Turtle Tortoise
  • REPTI ZOO 10 Gallon Reptile Tank Glass Natural Cages Terrarium 20" x 12" x 10" Sliding Screen Top for Reptile Hamster Hedgehog Small Animals

Hides

While some of the options below are rather "plain and simple" they serve the intended function. The selections I have made for this section are all smaller hides. A hide is only functional when it is large enough to encapsulate the animal, but small enough to provide security. Ideally, you would want the snake to be able to touch multiple sides of the hide at once, but obviously be able to leave on it's own. That is to say, make sure all openings of the hide are larger than your animal is around. You do not want them getting wedged in a space they cannot escape. 

You will also require multiple hides. At least two with one on the cooler side of the habitat and one on the warmer side. The more hides and the more options the snake has, the safer they will feel. 

  • Reptile Hideout Box Small Animal Hide
  • Small Reptile Hide Box  
  • Reptile Simulation Rock Cave Hideouts Terrarium Habitat
  • Zilla Rock Lair Sm
  • Snake Hide and Basking Tree Roots Cave for Terrariums

Clutter and Decor

This section is primarily about whatever works for you. While hognose will climb what they are given, you never want to push it too far and have branches really high off of the ground in a tall terrarium. They just don't have the muscular structure of arboreal snakes and thus are not as well suited for extensive climbing. 

Remember, lots of open air in your tank can make a hognose feel stressed and vulnerable to attack from above. Breaking up some of that open air can make the biggest difference between a safe and stimulated hognose, and a scared, non-feeding hognose. 

  • Reptile Plants for Terrarium, Artificial Hanging Plants with Suction Cups, Amphibian Tank Habitat Decor Plastic Plant for Bearded Dragons Lizards Snake Geckos Frogs - 2Pack Fake Monstera  
  • ​​Reptile Artificial Plants Terrarium Decor, Amphibian Habitat Hideout Bearded Dragon Tank Decorations fit Crested Gecko Leopard Lizard Chameleon Ball Python Snake Frog - Caladium 
  • Reptile Artificial Plants, Terrarium Plants Decorations Supplies, Amphibian Habitat Hideout Tank Accessories, Rainforest Ground Plant
  • Reptile Artificial Plants Terrarium Decor, Fake Desert Plants Bearded Dragon Tank Decorations Accessories fit Crested Gecko Leopard Lizard Chameleon Ball Python Snake Frog - Tillandsia
  • Exo Terra Forest Branch, Small
  • Reptile Dinosaur Skull Decor,Bearded Dragon Tank Accessories,Reptiles Resin Triceratops Skull Cave Lizard Hammock Amphibians Habitat Hideouts Decorations for Lizards Spider Gecko Chameleon

Substrate

Our recommendations for substrate are heavily based on what we ourselves have used. While shredded Aspen does not work for us in tubs here in humid Florida, we do primarily use the shaved Aspen with our holdbacks. I also often recommend it as it holds tunnels incredibly well. However, plenty of keepers prefer a coco coir and play sand mixture since it is more natural looking, albeit dirtier and sometimes harder to locate the animal in. The decision of what substrate to use is definitely more open to preference of both you the keeper, and your snake. 
  • Shredded Aspen Bedding  ​
  • Shaved Aspen Bedding  ​
  • Compressed Coconut Coir Bricks
with
Play Sand
  • ReptiEarth Reptile Bedding, Fluffy Coconut Fiber Substrate

Under Tank Heaters

Under tank heaters should NEVER be used without a thermostat, even if the product says it has a built in safety cut-off. The risk is not worth it. Purchase a thermostat for any heat source you use and make sure that the heat source only covers part of your habitat. Hognose snakes like a gradient and they like options. The whole tank does not need to be heated (unless you keep your  ambient room temperature exceedingly chilly).
  • Zilla Terrarium Heat Mats Black Mini, 1-5 Gallon, 4 Watt
  • ​​Zoo Med ReptiTherm Under Tank Heater, 10 to 20 Gallons, 8" x 6"

Ceramic Heat Emitters

It's important to remember that Ceramic Heat Emitters are great for raising the ambient air temperature in an enclosure. Keep in mind the size of the tank you are working with. You may never need greater than a 40W. Also, make sure you have thermometers and temperature guns to monitor the heat you are putting out. You can use a thermostat to regulate it, or you can use a dimmer switch as linked below to restrict the amount of power the dome is receiving. Make sure to regularly check all heat sources for the safety of your animals. 
  • Zoo Med Nano Dome Single Lamp Fixture, 40 Watt
  • Zoo Med (2 Pack) Labs 25W Nano Ceramic Heat Emitter
  • Zoo Med (2 Pack) Labs 40W Nano Ceramic Heat Emitter
  • Plug in Dimmer ​

Thermostats

We personally use Herpstat Thermostats on our rack systems and only ever use a max of two probes per so that in the event of a catastrophe, not everything is on the same heat regulator. Please keep such things in mind when you are preparing for your animal or updating your equipment. While putting money into quality equipment can sometimes be a tad painful, nothing is worse than having a disaster occur and you lose everything. Your animals deserve a safe habitat. 
  • Inkbird WiFi Heat Mat Reptile Thermostat Controller Temperature Controller with 2 Probes and 2 Outlets, IPT-2CH Thermostat (Max 250W per Outlet)
  • VIVOSUN Digital Heat Mat Thermostat Temperature Controller, 40–108 ºF 1000W for Reptiles
  • Exo Terra Thermostat with Day and Night Timer for Reptile Terrariums
  • Vivarium Electronics VE-100 Thermostat (Reptile Basics)

Temperature Monitoring Devices

Remember that when it comes to temperature monitoring devices, different tools fit different heat sources. If you are using ambient lighting, most of these devices will work. If you are using an Under Tank Heat source then a temperature gun will be the only true option for obtaining an accurate reading of the temperature in the habitat (that is to say, a true reading of the temperature where the heat source is located at). Please refer back to the care guide for more information on setting up an Under Tank Heat source if this isn't precisely clear to you. 

Remember: never use items with adhesives inside your tank, including thermometers. Hognose are great at dislodging these items with their shovelnoses and getting themselves glued to them. 

  • Etekcity Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun 774, Digital IR Temp Gun for Food, Cooking, BBQ, Pizza Oven, Reptile, Griddle Accessories, Non Contact Surface Outdoor Heat Gun
  • KIZEN Infrared Thermometer Gun (LaserPro LP300) - Handheld Heat Temperature Gun for Cooking, Pizza Oven, Grill & Engine - Laser Surface Temp Reader -58F to 1112F - NOT for Humans, digital
  • REPTI ZOO Reptile Terrarium Thermometer Hygrometer Digital LCD Display Pet Rearing Box Reptiles Tank Thermometer Hygrometer with Suction Cup   
  • ThermoPro Hygrometer Thermometer for House TP350, Bluetooth Room Indoor Greenhouse Thermometer Monitor Up to 260FT, Backlit Humidity Meter Temperature Sensor with 2-Year Data Export    
  • ​ AcuRite 00613 Digital Hygrometer & Indoor Thermometer Pre-Calibrated Humidity Gaugeamzn.to/3z1edH4

Feeding Tools and Supplements

There's not much to say with this section. We use tongs, it helps to prevent bites. You can choose a water dish based on your other decor or the size of the habitat.
Just use what works for you.
The below feeding supplements are actively used by us. However, we only supplement females with electrolytes and calcium during the breeding season.
  • ​2 Peice Stainless Steel Feeding Tongs  
  • Nutribac Dietary Supplement for Reptiles & Amphibians
  • 2 Piece Stainless Steel Tweezer Set 
  • Nekton-Rep Vitamin Mineral Supplement for Reptiles
  • Bamboo Feeding Tweezers 
  • Zoo Med Reptile Calcium without Vitamin D3, 8-Ounce
  • Resin Rock Water/Food Dish
  • Dinosaur Skeleton Reptile Water Bowl  
  •  2 Pack Tree Trunk Reptile Water and Food Bowls
  • Electrolytes Powder

Lighting

The below recommended light fixture is for UVB lighting. If you do not care to have UVB lighting, please consider a separate, dedicated light on a timer for the habitat so that your hognose has a reliable light cycle. This will help in winter, should you want to try and avoid brumation. 
  • Arcadia ShadeDweller 7% Pro T5 Kit
  • Outlet Timer, NEARPOW Dual Digital Light Timer with 2 Independently-controlled Outlets, 18 ON/OFF Programs, 24-Hour and 7-Day Programmable,Indoor Heavy Duty Electrical Timer Switch, 3 Prong, 15A/1800W

Our Everyday Photography Gear

Investing in a decent camera to make photography easier and capturing better quality photos is just one of those things we prioritize at Ectotherm Empire. You see, we would rather take more accurate photos right away that require no editing besides cropping and labeling, that way we will never trick you into thinking you are receiving a higher color animal than you are. In fact, usually the photos are slightly duller and you are in for a greater surprise!

When it comes to ring lights and bowls it's unfortunately a matter of finding a light you like and a bowl it will rest on top of while you take your photos. It can be a bit of trial and error. I have examples listed below, but they aren't the precise ones we use since those are no longer available. 

  • ​Canon EOS R10 RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 is STM Lens Kit, Mirrorless Vlogging Camera, 24.2 MP, 4K Video, DIGIC X Image Processor, High-Speed Shooting, Subject Tracking
  • Canon RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 Lens
  • 10-Inch Plastic Serve Mixing Bowl
  •  10" LED Selfie Ring Light

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Terms of Sale
    • Testimonials
    • Extras! Andrew Baita Photography
    • Extras! Art by Erin Driscoll
    • Extras! How We Photograph Our Available Animals
    • Extras! How We Package for Legal and Safe Shipping
  • Western Hognose
    • Western Hognose Morphs >
      • Albino Designer Morph Combinations
      • Anaconda Designer Morph Combinations
      • Axanthic Designer Morph Combinations
      • Caramel Designer Morph Combinations
      • Leucistic Designer Morph Combinations
      • Mocha Designer Morph Combinations
      • Pistachio Designer Morph Combinations
      • Swiss Chocolate Designer Morph Combinations
    • Western Hognose Care Information
    • Recommended Materials/Equipment
    • Prior Seasons Photo Gallery >
      • 2025
      • 2024
      • 2023
      • 2022
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
    • Availability
  • Jewelry (aka Designs by Andy)