Eastern Hognose Snake

About the Eastern Hognose Snake

The eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos) is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The venom is specifically adapted to amphibian prey and is harmless to humans. However, some people may have an allergic reaction and as a result experience local swelling and other symptoms. The species is endemic to North America. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. This species prefers habitats with sandy soils and a combination of grass fields and forest edges. It comes in many different colorations and has the identifiable upturned "snout." It can be found in captivity, but is a relatively difficult species to keep due to a specialized diet of toads. As with other Heterodon species, it has a distinctive threat reaction of first bluffing by striking with a closed mouth and then, if this fails to deter the threat, pretending to die.

Heterodon platirhinos has a wide geographical range from the central United States to the East Coast. In the northern parts of its range, it can be found in southern Ontario, southern New Hampshire, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. Farther west, the snake can be found... Wikipedia →