← Western Hognose Snake care guide
How Big Do Western Hognose Snakes Get?
Male Western hognose snakes reach 18 to 24 inches and females 24 to 30, making them one of the smaller colubrids kept. The published adult enclosure is around 30 by 12 by 12 inches.
Published adult size figures
| Figure | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult males | 18-24 in | Smaller sex |
| Adult females | 24-30 in | Noticeably larger |
| Eastern hognose | Slightly larger | A different species |
Checked September 20, 2026 against the sources at the foot of this page. Where sources differ the range is shown rather than averaged.
Getting there
Hatchling to adult in 18 to 24 months
Quick to a small adult size, so the housing question is settled early.
Clear sexual dimorphism
Females are substantially larger than males, more so than in corn snakes.
What that size means in practice
A 30 by 12 by 12 inch enclosure for an adult
The commonly published minimum, reflecting one of the smaller colubrids kept. Depth of substrate matters too, since they are enthusiastic burrowers.
Smaller than a corn snake or ball python
Which is much of their appeal for keepers with limited space, and why mouse-sized prey suits them for life.
Common questions
How big do hognose snakes get?
Western hognose males reach 18 to 24 inches and females 24 to 30. Eastern hognose snakes, a different species, run slightly larger.
Are female hognose snakes bigger than males?
Yes, noticeably. The sexual size difference is more pronounced than in corn snakes, so the sex affects the enclosure you will eventually want.
How big an enclosure does a hognose snake need?
A commonly published minimum of 30 by 12 by 12 inches for an adult, with enough substrate depth to burrow. They are smaller than corn snakes or ball pythons.