Western Hognose Snake
Heterodon nasicus • Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae, Dipsadinae, Heterodon, Heterodon nasicus
North America, primarily across the Great Plains region spanning from southern Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) through the central United States down to northern Mexico.
Look up Western Hognose Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae, Dipsadinae, Heterodon, Heterodon nasicus
Conservation
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Generally common throughout much of its range, though localized populations face threats from habitat loss, agricultural development, vehicle mortality, and collection for the pet trade.
Physical Description
Heavy-bodied snake with a distinctive upturned (keeled) rostral scale at the tip of the snout used for digging. Coloration consists of a tan, grayish, or brownish ground color with dark brown or black blotches along the back and sides. Dorsal scales are strongly keeled, giving a textured appearance. The belly is strongly patterned with bold black and yellow or white markings. Eyes have round pupils.
Size & Dimensions
Specimen pictured appears to be a adult or subadult around 40-50 cm in length. Typical adult size ranges from 38 to 60 cm (15 to 24 inches), with females being significantly larger than males, occasionally reaching up to 80-90 cm.
Habitat
Prefers dry, open habitats with loose, sandy, or gravelly soils suitable for burrowing. Commonly found in prairies, grasslands, floodplains, and semi-arid shrublands from sea level to around 2,500 meters elevation.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized feeder primarily targeting amphibians, especially toads (Anaxyrus/Bufo species), which they dig up using their upturned snout. The specialized rear teeth help puncture inflated toads. Also consumes frogs, small lizards, rodent pups, and reptile eggs. Active foraging hunter using scent to locate buried prey.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Mating occurs in spring following brumation. Females lay clutches of 4 to 23 eggs in soft soil during early summer. Eggs incubate for about 50-60 days before hatching.
Look-alikes
Often confused with prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) due to similar blotched pattern and head-flattening behavior, but lacks a rattle, pit organs, and vertical pupils. Also resembles other hognose species such as the Eastern Hognose (Heterodon platirhinos) and Southern Hognose (Heterodon simus), which differ in scale counts and rostral shape.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Generally common throughout much of its range, though localized populations face threats from habitat loss, agricultural development, vehicle mortality, and collection for the pet trade.
Cultural Significance
Highly popular in the reptile keeping community due to wide color morph varieties and unique behaviors. Serves as a key biological control for toad and amphibian populations within its native prairie ecosystem.
Notable Features
Features a shovel-like upturned snout adapted for burrowing in loose soil, as well as an extreme death-feigning defensive behavior (thanatosis) where it flips upside down, excretes a foul-smelling musk, and plays dead.