From Hognose.com: "Eastern hognosed snakes are the most difficult of the Heterodon species to breed and maintain. Primarily amphibian eaters, Heterodon platirhinos can be trained to accept rodents. However, there is some evidence that prolonged feeding of mammals to Eastern hognosed snakes may result in death from fatty liver disease. Parasites are also a significant cause in the death of many easterns."