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 →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.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized carnivore that feeds almost exclusively on toads (Bufo/Anaxyrus species). Uses its upturned snout to dig out prey and rear teeth to deflate toads that inflate.
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.
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.