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There are three separate species of hognose snakes - the eastern, western and southern. Of the three, the western species (subspecies: plains, dusty, Mexican) is by far the most commonly kept in captivity. Its natural range is from west Texas across to New Mexico, and northward into southern Canada. There are also isolated populations in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. The eastern hognose has an extensive range, from Minnesota eastward to southern New Hampshire, south to Florida and west to Texas and Kansas. [NOTE: The Eastern hognose is a species of Special Concern in New York State and may not be collected/possessed without special permit]. The southern species can be found in North Carolina through Florida, and west to Mississippi.
In general, hognose snakes are stout bodied animals that do not achieve great length, as adults attaining anywhere from 14 to 40 inches, depending on the species (eastern hogs are the largest, southern hogs the smallest). Females tend to grow larger than males. They are active during the daytime (diurnal), and will burrow into loose soil or sand to escape climatic extremes. Their natural prey are toads, and their characteristic upturned snout assists them in digging up buried toads. Hognose snakes are not constrictors; rather, they are rear-fanged and possess mild venom that enables them to overcome toads preparatory to swallowing them. Their venom is not known to be toxic to humans, and in fact hognose snakes have mild dispositions and rarely, if ever, offer to bite their captors. Hognose snakes have been known to put on a defensive display which includes hissing, hooding its neck, inflating its body and, if all else fails, rolling over and playing dead, with its mouth agape and tongue hanging out. Most hognose snakes in captivity do not display this behavior once they become accustomed to their circumstances.
Western Hognose snakes are relatively small, stout-bodied snakes found throughout the Great Plains states of the U.S. from Canada to Mexico. Their color and pattern is highly variable from subspecies to subspecies, although most specimens appear much like the infamous rattlesnake to the untrained eye. This optical bluff, used in conjunction with a wide array of other clever defense tactics, makes these snakes quite unique among North American serpents.
Although lacking venom glands, there is still debate whether Heterodon is mildly venomous or nonvenemous with toxic saliva. Regardless, the extremely rare bite from this rear-fanged snake is of no medical importance to humans. Symptoms range from negligible to localized slight swelling and itching. As with any animal though, care must be taken not to receive a bite as allergic reactions and infection are always a slight possibility.
Males are considerably smaller than females, with adult lengths rarely exceeding 15-20 inches.
These snakes get their common name from the modified rostral (nose) scales that are formed in an upturned manner, providing a very "hog-like" look. Additionally, this adaptation makes these snakes adept burrowers, which is a useful skill when hunting or seeking refuge from the elements.
Even though this snake does not cause harm to humans, people are the snake's biggest threat. People often mistake the hognose for a rattlesnake, killing it to protect themselves. Educating people that the hognose snake is harmless will increase the survival of the species. The Eastern Hognose (H. platirhino) snake is classified as a threatened species in some regions of its range and is therefore protected under those state's laws. Because the eastern and western species of hognose snakes are so similar in appearance, it would be wise to leave all hognose individuals alone in the wild.
The western hognose snake is primarily diurnal. It is typically a docile snake (though known to be highly aggressive in some individuals). If threatened (or perceiving a threat), it may flatten its neck (much like a cobra), hiss, and make mock strikes if harassed. Occasionally, if stressed enough, it even plays dead. Although it is more common that they will flatten their heads out, some individuals may puff up, filling their throats with air. This is more common with adolescent males.
In the wild, they feed predominately on amphibians, such as large and medium-sized tree frogs, as well as small or medium-sized toads and small lizards. There have been accounts of H. nasicus eating the occasional rodent in the wild as well. Not being a true constrictor, Heterodon bites and chews, driving the rear fangs into the prey as a way of introducing the salivaplease/"venom" into the bloodstream in order to incapacitate its meal. There have been many cases of hognose snakes in captivity that will not eat for about two to about three/three-and-a-half months, from the months January to mid March. This is because hognose snakes' instinct is to hibernate underground during the winter months.
Please don't kill snakes unless you are threatened by venomous ones, they really just eat stuff most of us would rather not have around anyway.
Thomas
PS: You asked!
In general, hognose snakes are stout bodied animals that do not achieve great length, as adults attaining anywhere from 14 to 40 inches, depending on the species (eastern hogs are the largest, southern hogs the smallest). Females tend to grow larger than males. They are active during the daytime (diurnal), and will burrow into loose soil or sand to escape climatic extremes. Their natural prey are toads, and their characteristic upturned snout assists them in digging up buried toads. Hognose snakes are not constrictors; rather, they are rear-fanged and possess mild venom that enables them to overcome toads preparatory to swallowing them. Their venom is not known to be toxic to humans, and in fact hognose snakes have mild dispositions and rarely, if ever, offer to bite their captors. Hognose snakes have been known to put on a defensive display which includes hissing, hooding its neck, inflating its body and, if all else fails, rolling over and playing dead, with its mouth agape and tongue hanging out. Most hognose snakes in captivity do not display this behavior once they become accustomed to their circumstances.
Western Hognose snakes are relatively small, stout-bodied snakes found throughout the Great Plains states of the U.S. from Canada to Mexico. Their color and pattern is highly variable from subspecies to subspecies, although most specimens appear much like the infamous rattlesnake to the untrained eye. This optical bluff, used in conjunction with a wide array of other clever defense tactics, makes these snakes quite unique among North American serpents.
Although lacking venom glands, there is still debate whether Heterodon is mildly venomous or nonvenemous with toxic saliva. Regardless, the extremely rare bite from this rear-fanged snake is of no medical importance to humans. Symptoms range from negligible to localized slight swelling and itching. As with any animal though, care must be taken not to receive a bite as allergic reactions and infection are always a slight possibility.
Males are considerably smaller than females, with adult lengths rarely exceeding 15-20 inches.
These snakes get their common name from the modified rostral (nose) scales that are formed in an upturned manner, providing a very "hog-like" look. Additionally, this adaptation makes these snakes adept burrowers, which is a useful skill when hunting or seeking refuge from the elements.
Even though this snake does not cause harm to humans, people are the snake's biggest threat. People often mistake the hognose for a rattlesnake, killing it to protect themselves. Educating people that the hognose snake is harmless will increase the survival of the species. The Eastern Hognose (H. platirhino) snake is classified as a threatened species in some regions of its range and is therefore protected under those state's laws. Because the eastern and western species of hognose snakes are so similar in appearance, it would be wise to leave all hognose individuals alone in the wild.
The western hognose snake is primarily diurnal. It is typically a docile snake (though known to be highly aggressive in some individuals). If threatened (or perceiving a threat), it may flatten its neck (much like a cobra), hiss, and make mock strikes if harassed. Occasionally, if stressed enough, it even plays dead. Although it is more common that they will flatten their heads out, some individuals may puff up, filling their throats with air. This is more common with adolescent males.
In the wild, they feed predominately on amphibians, such as large and medium-sized tree frogs, as well as small or medium-sized toads and small lizards. There have been accounts of H. nasicus eating the occasional rodent in the wild as well. Not being a true constrictor, Heterodon bites and chews, driving the rear fangs into the prey as a way of introducing the salivaplease/"venom" into the bloodstream in order to incapacitate its meal. There have been many cases of hognose snakes in captivity that will not eat for about two to about three/three-and-a-half months, from the months January to mid March. This is because hognose snakes' instinct is to hibernate underground during the winter months.
Please don't kill snakes unless you are threatened by venomous ones, they really just eat stuff most of us would rather not have around anyway.
Thomas
PS: You asked!
