Welcome to Iowa Hognoses!

This site is both a resource and petition working towards the legality of the Western Hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) as pets for private citizens while also providing information on all North American species.

Why?

At the moment Western Hognoses are one of the most popular snakes in the exotic pet trade with a multitude of fancy morphs. They are known for their display of playing dead when threatened or stressed (much more common happenstance when they are younger) as well as their ease of care. They are diurnal creatures, meaning that they will be awake when we are, and thus far more interactive than a ball python (a nocturnal species). Their generally placid attitudes and cute appearance also make for a good introduction species for reptile outreach.

However, due to the laws of Iowa in regards to endangered native animals, they are not legal in Iowa to own even if captive bred. Our petition wishes to change that whilst keeping our wild native hognoses safe!

Iowa native Western Hognoses are only found currently in two counties (click here for source).Much of the development of Iowa land into farmland has taken their habitats while humans are not known for being very friendly to any snake. It's important to keep our native snakes safe by researching and recording their numbers and ensuring what little habitat is left for them is kept untouched.

As Iowa is known as the "hog state" why not have our state snake be a Western Hognose?