Southern Hognose Snake
Heterodon simus
A small, upturned-snouted snake of sandy southeastern habitats, famous for its dramatic bluffing displays and playing dead.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 35-60 cm (14-24 in)
- Range
- Southeastern United States, from North Carolina to Florida and west to Mississippi
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Overview
The Southern Hognose Snake is a small, stout-bodied colubrid found in the sandy uplands and coastal plains of the southeastern United States. It is closely related to, but smaller and rarer than, the more widespread Eastern Hognose Snake.
Populations have declined significantly across its range due to habitat loss and fire suppression, and it is considered a species of conservation concern in several states.
How to identify it
- Small, thick body with a sharply upturned, shovel-like snout used for burrowing
- Coloration is tan, gray, or reddish-brown with dark blotches down the back
- Belly is uniformly pale, unlike the mottled belly of the Eastern Hognose
- Round pupils; keeled scales give a rough texture
- Distinguished from the Eastern Hognose by smaller size, more sharply upturned snout, and fewer dark blotches
Habitat & range
Prefers dry, sandy habitats such as longleaf pine sandhills, scrub, and coastal dunes. Spends much time burrowed into loose soil and is rarely found far from well-drained sandy substrates.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Diurnal and secretive, spending much of its time underground. When threatened, it flattens its neck like a small cobra, hisses, and may strike with a closed mouth in a bluff display; if that fails it will feign death by rolling onto its back. Feeds mainly on toads and other small amphibians. Lays eggs in early-mid summer.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Southern Hognose Snake venomous?
It has mildly toxic saliva used to subdue small prey like toads, but it poses no significant danger to people.
How is it different from the Eastern Hognose Snake?
It is smaller, has a more sharply upturned snout, fewer dorsal blotches, and a plain pale belly rather than a mottled one.
Why does it play dead?
When bluffing and hissing fail to deter a predator, it rolls belly-up, opens its mouth, and goes limp, mimicking a dead animal.
What does it eat?
It feeds almost exclusively on toads, using enlarged rear teeth to help deflate them as it swallows.
Southern Hognose Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Southern Hognose Snake.
