Leioheterodon Appreciation Post
Most reptile people have heard of Heterodon nasicus, the Plains Hognose Snake (sometimes incorrectly referred to as the Western Hognose Snake)
However it seems very few people know about the genus Leioheterodon which has some of the absolute coolest hognose snake species! Leioheterodon also known as Malagasy hognose snakes is a genus of snakes only found on the Madagascar islands. It contains 3 known species. While Leioheterodon does posses the signature upturned rostrum in hognose snakes it's much less noticeable compared to Plains Hognoses.
Leioheterodon madagascariensis - The Malagasy Giant Hognose Snake, also called the Madagascar Giant Hognose Snake. They're large compared to Plains Hognoses usually growing to around 4'-6' (130-180cm). They're the most well known of the Leioheterodon genus with a handful of keepers keeping and breeding them.
(image credits Bernard DUPONT Flickr)
(image credits Frank Vassen, Wikimedia Commons)
Leioheterodon modestus - The Blonde Hognose Snake I've also seen them called the Madagascan Golden Hognose Snake.
Looking around I can't find much info on these guys.
I see a few sources but none that are trusted and most sources have little to no information anyways. These are however very pretty and showy hognose snakes.
They are quite rare to find captive bred in the hobby with most available individuals being wild caught.
(image credits Bernard Dupont, Wikimedia Commons)
Leioheterodon geayi - Speckled Hognose Snake also known as the Madagascan Speckled Hognose Snake, Malagasy Speckled Hognose Snake, Reticulated Hognose Snake, and Geay's Hognose Snake is probably my personal favorite from the genus.
They get 3-4.5' (90-140cm) as adults, a fairly similar size to the Plains Hognose Snake. They have this stunning speckling pattern with high contrast. Like the Blonde Hognose they are rarely captive bred and often wild caught. They're a species I hope to work with in the nearish future!
(image credit thierrycordenos, inaturalist)
(image credit Cin-Ty Lee, inaturalist)
this one looks to be a juvenile! how cool!
(image credit lousiedjasper, inaturalist)
(image credit protostega123, inaturalist)
(image credit lll reptiles, I didn't want to use their photo since they are a mill and wc farm but I couldn't find another speckled as nice as this one from a quick search)
Hopefully you now have an appreciation for the weird and wonderful Leioheterodon!
Please remember to purchase your pets responsibly and not buy mill bred or wild caught animals as pets.
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