Starter Kits Special Offer! -50% OFF ALL LIVESTOCK

Due to its immense popularity last year, we are continuing with our 50% OFF ALL LIVESTOCK when purchased with one of our full starter kits. This covers any animal/group of animals up to £300 in value, for animals over £300 you still get £150 off their standard price when purchased with a full starter kit. Offer valid 01/01/26 until 30/04/26.

Tricolour hognoses (Xenodon pulcher) are a small terrestrial snake species from the Gran Chaco forest region in South America. Despite their common name, these animals are completely unrelated to the more commonly seen Western Hognose from North America. Theses interesting little snakes exhibit 2 major examples of convergent evolution (meaning unrelated species evolving similar forms despite being genetically unrelated and from different places). They have an upturned snout used for burrowing just like the Western Hognose (Heterodon nasicus) and Madagascan Hognoses (Lieoheterodon spp.). They also have the same aposematic warning colours (red, white and black banding) as the highly venomous coral snakes that also co-exist in the same habitat.

Tricolour hognoses are relatively fossorial in terms of behaviour (they spend a lot of their time digging through loose soil and leaf litter), they are often found near to streams where they would be hunting for small amphibians, their preferred food. Like their North American counterparts (western hognoses) they are also very mildly venomous, but this venom is delivered by chewing their salivary compounds into their prey using their enlarged fangs at the rear of the mouth. This venom can incapacitate amphibians, it generally causes no reaction or only a very mild reaction in people and are very reluctant to bite.

Tricolour hognoses are a small species of snake with females only reaching around 24in (60cm) and males staying even smaller. They are a comparatively short lived species, normally only attaining 7-8 years of age but they grow fast and mature at an early age. Like many species they can be picky to get feeding when they first hatch but once established feeding they are a trouble free species to keep that are suitable for both beginners and enthusiast.