Hognose Snake
Heterodon platirhinos
A theatrical, upturned-snouted colubrid famous for its dramatic bluffing displays, including hood-flattening, hissing, and playing dead.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.5-1.1 m (1.5-3.5 ft)
- Range
- Eastern United States
Found a snake like this?
Identify any snake from a photo, free.
Overview
The eastern hognose snake is renowned for one of the most elaborate defensive performances in the snake world. When threatened, it first flattens its neck into a cobra-like hood and hisses loudly; if that fails, it dramatically writhes, flips onto its back, and feigns death with its mouth agape.
Its distinctive upturned, shovel-like snout is an adaptation for digging, particularly for unearthing its preferred prey of toads.
How to identify it
- Stout body with a distinctly upturned, pig-like snout
- Highly variable coloration: gray, brown, olive, yellow, orange, or nearly black, often with blotching
- Keeled scales giving a rough texture
- Flattens neck into a hood when threatened, resembling a small cobra
- Distinguished from other colubrids by the unique upturned rostral scale
Habitat & range
Prefers sandy or loose soils in open woodlands, fields, and coastal plains across the eastern United States, useful for burrowing in search of toads. Also found in scrublands and floodplain habitats.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Diurnal and most active in warm months. Feeds heavily on toads, using enlarged rear teeth and mildly toxic saliva to help subdue prey resistant to predation by other snakes. Egg-laying, with clutches buried in sandy soil.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hognose snake dangerous?
It is only mildly venomous with rear fangs and is not considered dangerous to humans.
Why does a hognose snake play dead?
As a last-resort defense, flipping over, writhing, and feigning death to deter predators.
What does a hognose snake eat?
Primarily toads, which its mild venom helps subdue.
Why is it called a hognose snake?
For its distinctive upturned, pig-like snout used for digging.
Hognose Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Hognose Snake.
