Corn Snake vs Western Hognose
Compare Corn Snake and Western Hognose Snake side by side — size, cost, diet, temperament, and care difficulty. Find your perfect pet.
Corn Snake
Western Hognose Snake
Quick Winner
It's a Tie
Both Corn Snake and Western Hognose Snake are excellent choices — the best pick depends on your space, budget, and experience level.
Full VerdictSide-by-Side Specs
| Feature | ACorn Snake | BWestern Hognose Snake |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Size | 3-5 feet | Males 14-24 inches, Females 24-36 inches |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 15-20 years |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| Temperament | Gentle, curious, and easy to handle | Dramatic, curious, and docile — famous for bluffing and playing dead rather than biting |
| Tank Size | 40-75 gallon (4x2x2 feet ideal) for adults | 20-gallon for males, 40-gallon for females (females are significantly larger) |
| Diet | Carnivore (frozen-thawed mice recommended) | Carnivore — primarily frozen-thawed mice; wild diet includes toads, frogs, and lizards |
| Humidity | 40-50% | 30-50% |
| Basking Temp | 85-88°F | 88-92°F |
| Price Range | $30 - $500+ (morphs) | $150 - $500+ (morphs) |
Adult Size
A
3-5 feet
B
Males 14-24 inches, Females 24-36 inches
Lifespan
A
15-20 years
B
15-20 years
Difficulty
A
Beginner
B
Beginner
Temperament
A
Gentle, curious, and easy to handle
B
Dramatic, curious, and docile — famous for bluffing and playing dead rather than biting
Tank Size
A
40-75 gallon (4x2x2 feet ideal) for adults
B
20-gallon for males, 40-gallon for females (females are significantly larger)
Diet
A
Carnivore (frozen-thawed mice recommended)
B
Carnivore — primarily frozen-thawed mice; wild diet includes toads, frogs, and lizards
Humidity
A
40-50%
B
30-50%
Basking Temp
A
85-88°F
B
88-92°F
Price Range
A
$30 - $500+ (morphs)
B
$150 - $500+ (morphs)
Pros & Cons
ACorn Snake
Pros
- Temperament: Gentle, curious, and easy to handle
- Lifespan: 15-20 years
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Tank: 40-75 gallon (4x2x2 feet ideal) for adults
Cons
- Diet: Carnivore (frozen-thawed mice recommended)
- Watch for: Respiratory infections
BWestern Hognose Snake
Pros
- Temperament: Dramatic, curious, and docile — famous for bluffing and playing dead rather than biting
- Lifespan: 15-20 years
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Tank: 20-gallon for males, 40-gallon for females (females are significantly larger)
Cons
- Diet: Carnivore — primarily frozen-thawed mice; wild diet includes toads, frogs, and lizards
- Watch for: Feeding strikes (seasonal or stress-related)
The Bottom Line
Both Corn Snake and Western Hognose Snake are excellent choices — the best pick depends on your space, budget, and experience level.
AChoose Corn Snake if...
you want a beginner-level pet with gentle, curious, and easy to handle temperament
BChoose Western Hognose Snake if...
you prefer a beginner-level pet that is dramatic, curious, and docile — famous for bluffing and playing dead rather than biting
Learn more about each species:
Common Questions
Corn Snake grows to 3-5 feet and is beginner-level, while Western Hognose Snake reaches Males 14-24 inches, Females 24-36 inches and is beginner-level. They have different habitat needs: Corn Snake requires 40-50% humidity, while Western Hognose Snake needs 30-50% humidity levels.