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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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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).

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.