Hi,
here is some info on the Hognose snake:
"Western Hognose is a small colubrid snake which is rear fanged and mildly venomous. The venom however seems to be specific to amphibians. Hognose snakes are diurnal (active mostly during the day). They will usually tame down with regular but short handling sessions."
You can read more info on this snakes care at:
http://www.rainforestreptiles.co.uk/...gnosesnake.htm
I also found this:
"Weaver reports the toxicity of Duvernoy's secretions to be sufficient to subdue prey in both the Southern and Western hognosed snakes. As with crotalids and elapids, the expulsion of the Duvernoy's glands may be triggered during feeding responses. The severity of the secretion appears to be sufficient only to paralyze and not kill the prey. Injections of the macerated contents of the inferior and superior labial salivary glands of the Eastern Hognosed Snake had an effect only on frogs and toads but not on mice. The effects on the frogs did not take effect for several hours, much too late to be useful in subduing prey prior to ingestion. McAlister therefore concluded the maxillary teeth of Eastern hognosed snakes are not used for the introduction of the salivary gland contents"
More can be read at:
http://www.hognose.com/pages/venomous.htm
Interesting subject and now I find myself curious and I think I will go back and read some more. I think that if I had a super hyper sensitivity to venom in general I would be a little leery about getting bitten. I would rather play it safe than to test the Chaos Theory. However, it does seem that they are not harmful to humans though.
I hope this helps!
David Gaithe
www.razorbackexotics.com