Hello, so I have an interest in getting a hognose, however I’ve never owned a reptile before. I really want one, however I know they can be considered intermediate pets. I was wondering if it would be a good idea for me to get one? I was also wondering about set ups, because I don’t have a lot of room in my bedroom but I think I could move some things around.
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I personally don’t agree with the “beginner/not beginner” species designations, just because each species is individual and can be challenging in their own way. That said, a lot of people get hognoses as first pets. I think a new keeper would do fine with a plains hognose provided you a) get one well established from a good breeder and b) are comfortable potentially troubleshooting feeding reluctance.
For my hognoses, I keep them on aspen because they like to dig and tunnel and the aspen keeps its shape. My hotspot (I use a basking bulb) stays around 86-88 degrees during the day and I turn it completely off at night, and this has always worked fine for my hognoses but there’s always the chance you get an animal that needs a more consistently warm temperature, in which case you could always use a CHE or heat pad. I would say you can easily start a young hognose in a 10 gallon tank, and for an older juvenile or young adult I would do at minimum a 20-30 gallon or similar sized tub.
The main reason (in my experience) they’re sometimes considered intermediate pets is because they can in some cases go off of food, and because their diet in the wild consists of frogs and toads, it can sometimes be difficult to get them feeding on unscented frozen thawed rodents again in captivity. I personally haven’t had an issues with this with my hognoses, but it’s just a possibility to be aware of. If you’re comfortable with potentially having to troubleshoot feeding and you can find other breeders/keepers to reach out to for help, I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t get one as your first pet reptile.
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I agree with everything @inspirationexotics has mentioned but I will add something to this.
If you’ve done your research you will know that Hognose snakes are rear-fanged mildly venomous. Their venom is not considered medically significant but some people do have reactions to their bites, like bee stings. This could range from mild swelling to a full body reaction that will need medical intervention. I say this to everyone who asks about getting a Hognose snake just so that they are aware and cautious of this fact, and because Hognose snakes can have a very strong feeding response once they are eating on a consistent basis meaning they will bite anything that moves.
I own a Hognose myself and have been randomly bitten because of that fact. I don’t want to dissuade you because they do make great pets with some effort, I just want to warn you about being potentially allergic to their bites.
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I have heard about their bites, I am willing to take that risk. Do you know if there’s a specific test to find out if you’re allergic to their bites?
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None that I’ve heard of unfortunately. I have heard in the past that people who are allergic to things like bee stings will likely also be allergic to Hognose bites but I’ve never seen definite proof or science of this.
Most cases of people being allergic to Hognose bites were cases where they had to find out the hard way 
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I won’t lie, I frequently completely forget that they’re considered rear-fanged venomous, but definitely something good to point out and be aware of. I do think it largely depends on the temperament of an individual animal. Both of my girls are great eaters but have never gone to bite me, so it’s not a problem I’ve encountered. I do believe, however, that you’re in less danger of envenomation than with a typical front-fanged snake - from what I understand the hognoses have to really get a good grip and chew in order to envenomate. (I could be wrong on that, it’s just what I’ve heard).
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If you get a hatchling/baby you may have trouble getting it to eat for you simply because it has probably been kept in a hatchling tub, so you will need to make sure your baby hog feels secure enough to eat for you .
If you are short on cash, sterilite tubs make great enclosures for snakes and they are very cheap. Shredded aspen is a good substrate because it makes burrowing easier. The aspen should be several inches thick for this.
You will also need a heat mat on one side and a thermostat, a water bowl on the cold side and maybe some fake greenery and cork bark on top of the aspen for your hog to hide under when closer to the top.
As far as bites/venom, I have never been bitten by any of the several hogs I have owned, including the one I have now. However that’s not to say you won’t be bitten if you do get a hoggie.
I still say the hognose, as compared to say a corn snake, does not make a good beginner snake because of potential feeding issues and potential venomous (albeit non life threatening) bites.
In my opinion a corn snake makes a great example of a beginner snake. However it’s up to you to do the research and decide for yourself if a hognose is right for you. But since this will be your first snake, I would recommend that you don’t take the decision lightly.
Best of luck to you!
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