Leioheterodon geayi
| Speckled hognose snake | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Lamprophiidae |
| Subfamily: | Pseudoxyrhophiinae |
| Genus: | Leioheterodon |
| Species: | Leioheterodon geayi |
Leioheterodon geayi or the speckled hognose snake is a mildly venomous snake species native to south-west Madagascar. They can grow in lengths of 90–140 cm.
Care
With the right care, hognoses are relatively easy to care for. Although, it is mildly venomous so tongs should be used when feeding. They should be housed in a vivarium or plastic tub, and should have 2 hideaways, one on the cool side and one on the warm side. One of the sides should be moist. They should have deep substrate for burrowing and should have good ventilation. They normally inhibit deserts so a more arid environment should be provided. Their temperature range should be 75 degrees at night and 90 degrees during the day. Because they love to burrow, their substrate should be 2-3 inches of aspen wood shavings. They primarily eat mice, but thay also eat birds, amphibians, and lizards, (not that they should be fed that in captivity)[1]