Why Are Hognose Snakes Illegal In Colorado
It is ILLEGAL to buy, sell, gift, or otherwise transfer the ownership of a Western Hognose within Colorado. Also, Hognose are technically venomous, but the venom is harmless to humans, and is excreted in their saliva and not injected through fangs, so they are not considered venomous snakes by law. Western hognose snake Heterodon nasicus Such reptiles and amphibians and their progeny may only be disposed of by gift or as authorized by the Division of Wildlife.
You are not allowed to own, gift, buy, sell or trade captive bred Heterodon nasicus (Western Plains Hognose) in the state of Colorado without a license. **** ALERT **** We recently learned that as of July 2025 you are unable to legally own any Hognose snakes within Denver City/county? (unsure) limits. Hello! I currently live in Colorado and was planning to get a Hognose snakes in the near future.
100+ Western Hognose Snake Photos Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free ...
I just learned through a reddit post that there are some pretty specific laws about Hognose snakes, and after reading through a bunch of forums and seeing that almost all of them are 2+ years old I decided to read through the Colorado wildlife regulations myself. Did the legality recently change. Venomous exotic snakes of the families Viperidae, Atractaspididae, Elapidae, and Colubridae, except for hognose snakes Genus Heterodon Exemptions include AZA institutuions, municipal zoos, research universities, or permitted circuses.
The goal with this petition is to get Colorado Parks and Wildlife to adjust or change the laws pertaining this specific species of snake, so Colorado reptile shops and snake enthusiasts have the right to own, breed, and sell captive bred Western Hognose snakes. Eastern and Southern Hognose are legal to buy and sell. Western Hognose are not.
Colorado Snakes Western Hognose (Heterodon nasicus) - Colorado Herping
Western hognose are LEGAL to collect in the wild as long as you don't take more than 4 at a time, and do not possess more than 12 native snakes at a time, with the exception of a clutch hatching putting you over the 12 snakes temporarily. Hello, So I have done extensive research on the laws in place here in Colorado on owning and breeding Western Hognose snakes. I'm hearing a bunch of mix stories and I'm sure I'll hear some mixed ones on here too.
I've even spoken with a Parks and Recreational License Officer about it and she didn't. I beleive the rule recently changed for Colorado. Reach out to HIP HOGs on facebook.
Colorado Snakes Western Hognose (Heterodon nasicus) - Colorado Herping
She is the first legal breeder of hognose in Colorado and can help you understand the rules/changes to the law recently. The western hognose is a relatively small, stout snake. This is a rear-fanged snake that is venomous, but it is considered non-dangerous to humans.
Because it is a relatively docile snake, it is popular in the pet trade and has been bred into dozens of different color morphs. The western hognose is also known as plains hognose or plains hog.
