Eastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platirhinos • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Dipsadinae, Genus: Heterodon, Species: platirhinos
Eastern half of the United States, from southern Ontario and New Hampshire south to Florida and west to Texas and Minnesota.
Look up Eastern Hognose Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Mildly venomous (Rear-fanged / Opisthoglyphous); they possess enlarged teeth at the back of the upper jaw.
Danger Level
Harmless/Low Risk; bites to humans are extremely rare as they almost never bite defensively, preferring to play dead.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Dipsadinae, Genus: Heterodon, Species: platirhinos
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN); however, it is listed as a species of concern or threatened in several northern parts of its range due to habitat loss.
Physical Description
Thick-bodied snake with a highly variable color pattern (spotted, solid, or blotched). Notable for its sharply upturned snout. The specimen in the image shows distinct dark dorsal blotches on a lighter tan background. Pupils are round.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen appears to be an adult around 24 inches (61 cm). Typical adults range from 20 to 33 inches (50-84 cm), with a record of 45 inches.
Habitat
Primarily found in areas with sandy soils, including open woodlands, pine forests, coastal scrub, and agricultural fields. Prefers habitats where it can easily burrow.
Behavior & Temperament
Famous for dramatic defensive displays including neck-flaring (mimicking a cobra), loud hissing, and eventually 'death feigning' (thanatosis) where it rolls onto its back with its mouth open.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized carnivore that feeds almost exclusively on toads (Bufo/Anaxyrus species). Uses its upturned snout to dig out prey and rear fangs to deflate toads that inflate as a defense.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay 8 to 40 eggs in early summer, which hatch in late summer or autumn. No parental care is provided after laying.
Venom Profile
Amphibian-specific mild venom; possesses specialized saliva used to neutralize toads. Not considered medically significant to humans.
Look-alikes
Often confused with Rattlesnakes (Viperidae) or Cottonmouths due to its thick body and flaring behavior. Distinguished from vipers by its upturned snout and round pupils.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN); however, it is listed as a species of concern or threatened in several northern parts of its range due to habitat loss.
Cultural Significance
Often jokingly referred to as the 'Puff Adder' or 'Spread-head snake' in rural areas. Ecologically important for controlling toad populations.
Notable Features
The upturned rostral scale (snout) is a unique adaptation for digging in sandy soil. It is one of the few snakes that consistently employs death-feigning as a primary survival tactic.