Does Petco Sell Hognose Snakes? Are They Healthy?

If you have been thinking about getting a hognose snake, one of the first places that probably comes to mind is Petco. After all, Petco is one of the biggest pet store chains in the country, and they sell all kinds of reptiles. But do they actually carry hognose snakes? And if they do, are those snakes healthy?

The short answer is that some Petco locations do sell hognose snakes, but it depends on the store. Not every location carries them, and availability changes based on your local store’s inventory, the time of year, and what their supplier has available. It is always a good idea to call your local Petco ahead of time before making the trip.

What Kind of Hognose Snakes Does Petco Sell?

When Petco does stock hognose snakes, they usually carry the Western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus). This is the most common species in the pet trade, and for good reason. Western hognose snakes are small, easy to handle, and have some of the most entertaining personalities in the snake world. They are known for their upturned snouts and their dramatic “playing dead” defense, which makes them a favorite among reptile keepers of all experience levels.

You are less likely to find Eastern or Southern hognose snakes at Petco. These species are not as commonly bred in captivity, and they can be pickier eaters, which makes them less ideal for a chain pet store setting.

Are Hognose Snakes From Petco Healthy?

This is where things get a little more complicated. Pet store snakes, including those from Petco, can be healthy, but there are some things you should watch out for. Chain pet stores get their animals from wholesale breeders and suppliers, and the quality of care can vary. Some locations have knowledgeable reptile staff who take good care of their animals. Others may not have the same level of expertise.

Before buying a hognose snake from Petco, take a close look at the snake and its enclosure. A healthy hognose snake should have clear, bright eyes (unless it is about to shed, in which case they will look cloudy). Its body should be rounded and well fed without visible ribs or a bony spine. The snake should be alert and responsive when handled, not limp or sluggish.

Check the enclosure for signs of mites, which look like tiny black dots moving around on the snake or in the water bowl. Look at the substrate and make sure the enclosure is reasonably clean. If you see several sick looking animals in the reptile section, that is a red flag about the overall care at that location.

Signs of a Healthy vs. Unhealthy Hognose Snake

When you are evaluating a hognose snake at any pet store, here is what to look for. A healthy snake will have smooth, clean scales with no stuck shed or discoloration. Its breathing should be quiet with no wheezing, clicking, or bubbling sounds. The mouth should be clean with no excess mucus or redness. The vent area near the tail should be clean and free of any crusting or discharge.

An unhealthy snake might have wrinkled or loose skin, sunken eyes, visible ribs, or a kinked spine. If the snake is sitting in its water bowl constantly, that can be a sign of mites or stress. Labored breathing or open mouth breathing is a sign of a respiratory infection, which is one of the most common health problems in pet store snakes.

Petco vs. Private Breeders for Hognose Snakes

One of the biggest decisions you will face is whether to buy from Petco or from a private breeder. Both have their pros and cons. Petco is convenient. You can walk in, see the snake in person, and bring it home the same day. They also typically offer a health guarantee, usually for about 30 days, which gives you some protection if the snake gets sick right after purchase.

Private breeders, on the other hand, usually offer a wider selection of morphs and can tell you exactly what the snake has been eating, how it was raised, and its full health history. Breeders who specialize in hognose snakes are more likely to produce animals that are well started on feeding, which is important because hognose snakes can sometimes be finicky eaters, especially as babies.

Price wise, Petco hognose snakes tend to range from about $80 to $150 for a normal or basic morph. Private breeders may charge similar prices for normals but can charge significantly more for designer morphs like albinos, anacondas, or lavenders.

Tips for Buying a Hognose Snake From Petco

If you decide to buy your hognose snake from Petco, there are a few things you can do to improve your experience. First, ask the staff when the snake arrived at the store. A snake that has been at the store for a couple of weeks and is eating regularly is a much better bet than one that just arrived and has not been established yet.

Ask to see the snake eat before you buy it if possible. Hognose snakes can be notoriously picky eaters, and knowing that a specific animal is taking food consistently will save you a lot of stress. Ask what the snake has been eating, whether it is frozen/thawed mice or something else, and how often it has been fed.

Also, ask about Petco’s return and health guarantee policy. Most locations will allow you to return or exchange a sick animal within a certain window, but the specifics can vary. Understanding this policy upfront gives you peace of mind.

Setting Up for Your New Hognose Snake

Whether you buy from Petco or a breeder, make sure you have the enclosure set up and ready before bringing your new hognose snake home. These snakes need a warm side around 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and a cool side around 70 to 75 degrees. They love to burrow, so provide a substrate like aspen shavings that is deep enough for them to dig into. A water bowl, a hide on the warm side, and a hide on the cool side round out the basic setup.

Hognose snakes are rear fanged and mildly venomous, but their venom is not considered dangerous to humans. At most, a bite might cause some localized swelling, similar to a bee sting. They are generally docile snakes that would rather bluff and play dead than actually bite.

These snakes make wonderful pets for beginners and experienced keepers alike. They stay small, usually between 14 and 24 inches as adults, and they have so much personality packed into that little body. Whether you get yours from Petco or elsewhere, a hognose snake is a fantastic addition to your reptile collection.