What to Do If You Get Bitten by a Western Hognose Snake
By: Gray Matter Reptile
Understanding the "Mildly Venomous" Rear-Fangs
While Western Hognose snakes are frequently labeled as "mildly venomous," their delivery system is fundamentally different from typical venomous snakes:
- Atypical Venom Glands: Hognoses do not possess true venom glands like vipers. Instead, they have what is known as the Duvernoy's gland, located right behind the eyes.
- Paralyzing Mechanism: The fluid secreted by this gland is primarily designed to subduing and paralyze small prey (like amphibians and small rodents). When their rear fangs puncture a prey item, the saliva naturally seeps down along the grooves of the teeth and into the wound.
- Effect on Humans: For humans, unless you happen to have a rare, severe allergic reaction, this secretion usually only causes mild localized swelling or a slight throbbing ache—very similar to a bee sting. The risk of actual harm is incredibly low.
How to Safely Remove a Latching Snake
Once a hognose locks onto a target during a feeding response, they are incredibly persistent and rarely let go on their own. If you ever experience a dedicated "hognose chew," follow these exact steps to break the latch safely without hurting yourself or injuring the snake:
- Lock onto the Rostral Scale: Locate that hard, upturned, signature scale at the very tip of their snout.
- Push Gently Up and Forward: Secure the snake's neck gently between your thumb and middle finger, place your index finger firmly against the upturned rostral scale, and steadily push upward and away.
- Disengage from the Skin: This precise physical leverage forces the rear fangs to disengage cleanly from your skin. Because the rostral scale is a highly rigid, specialized burrowing tool, proper pressure here will not damage the snake's skull or soft tissue. Once unlatched, do not let go of the neck too quickly; a hognose still riding a high feeding adrenaline rush might immediately turn around and tag you a second time (though most will just scare themselves half to death and try to bolt straight back into their bedding).
If you execute this move within the first 3 to 5 seconds of the initial bite, the saliva won't have enough time to seep into the puncture marks, and you typically won't even experience any localized swelling.
Post-Bite Care and First Aid
Once the snake is safely back in its enclosure, simply treat the bite like any minor scratch:
- Wash the area thoroughly with clean water and soap.
- Apply a basic over-the-counter antibacterial ointment.
- Monitor the area for any unusual allergic reactions (such as sudden breathing difficulties or extreme swelling). If everything looks normal, there is absolutely no need to worry.