Eastern Hognose Snake
Eastern Hognose Snake ~ Heterodon platirhinos
Genus: Heterodon
Species: platirhinos
Adult body length: 26 – 46 inches
Body length at birth: 9 – 15 inches
Breeding period: April – June
Young per year: 10 – 30 young per year
Typical foods: Amphibians (mainly toads), birds, small mammals, eggs, and lizards
Habitat: heavily wooded areas, prairies, grassland, and damp areas
Can be found: eastern half of the United States
Short description: mild venom, broad headed, rounded head, stout, keeled scales, rounded pupils
General description:
The Eastern Hognose Snake is considered as a
non-venomous snake for it has a mild venom and
it is rear fanged. Its bites can’t inject venomom
into a human. The background coloration of this
snake varies from yellow, green, grey, or black. It
has a square spotted pattern going down the center
of its back. It also has an upright nose. It uses its upright
nose like a shovel to dig up toads and frogs. When this
snake is encountered, it sucks in air and flattens its head
(like a cobra), and hisses, if this doens’t work to scare off
its predator, then it plays dead, curling up and lying on its
back.
(picture above of a hognose snake playing dead)
October 22 2007 11:49 pm
