The short answer is, Yes, the Western Hognose snake is venomous…technically. However, the technical or scientific definition of venomous is a far cry from a snake being clinically venomous. This means that they do produce venom, in a specific gland designed for venom production and have a venom delivery system but not fangs.
Now this does not mean they are clinically venomous or dangerous. The Western Hognose Snake is what we call a rear-fanged colubrid. So, it is in the same family as the extremely venomous and very dangerous Boomslang from Africa…read more about Boomslangs in an article that I wrote for Reptiles Magazine.

Now, does this mean that the hognose snake is dangerous to people? Well, I had one as a pet when I was very young. I have been bitten by them and never had any reaction. No one to my knowledge has ever needed any medical treatment for a Western Hognose bite.

Now, that said, a close friend of mine was bitten by a hognose just last year and he had some noticeable swelling and pain from the bite. However, and this is important, he let the snake chew on his finger for an extended period of time. So, I have to say that as with any biological agent that we don’t know a great deal about the potential for an unusual or even allergic reaction to the proteins and enzymes that make up venom.

To get to my point and hopefully answer your question: I think Hognose snakes make wonderful pets but a certain amount of caution should probably be exercised when handling them. (That to is true of any snake. Meaning, I don’t like to get bitten by anything)

Western Hognose snakes are very calm and very rarely attempt to bite in defense. All of the people I know of who have been bitten by a Hognose get bitten when they are feeding them. In a ‘food’ bite it is likely that they will hang on and chew in order to deliver some venom into what they think is food. Unfortunately it might actually be your finger instead. Their venom is what we call “species specific”-it is genuinely toxic to toads and not much else.

So, are they technically venomous? Yes. Are they dangerous? Not in my opinion, but should be treated with caution and a bite should be carefully monitored. Would I let my own six-year-old son have one as a pet? Absolutely.

Just in case Mom still says no, I would highly recommend a baby Bullsnake, one of the many types of Kingsnakes that are available or Ball Python.
Cheers!
Terry

thanks,
Phil

p.s. I love snakes. They rock.

AND it’s good to see Joe on display as a beanie baby toy.