Heterodon platyrhinos
Jeff LeClere
Eastern Hognose Snakes
grow to nearly four feet long. They have thick bodies, a
wide neck, and a slightly upturned snout. The color of this snake
can vary with yellow, tan, brown, gray, or reddish color.
They also have dark blotches on their backs. Hognose snakes
can even be all black. These snakes live in
woods or fields. SREL
Herpetology Hognose snakes mate in
the Spring and females lay up to 60 eggs in soil in June or
July. The eggs hatch after a month and a half to two
months. Baby snakes are between
six and nine inches long. Eastern Hognose Snakes
are active during the day. If disturbed by a
predator,
these snakes have several ways to defend themselves. First,
they will inflate their necks to look bigger, and they will
hiss loudly and strike. When they do this, they very much
resemble cobras, which we do not have in our
area. If looking tough doesn't
work, the Eastern Hognose Snake will play dead. They are
very good at it. The snake will roll over and open its mouth
with its tongue hanging out. They will even stay limp when
they are picked up. If you place it right side up, the snake
will flop right back over and play dead. If this doesn't work, the
snake may bite; however, hognose snakes rarely bite
people.
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Copyright, John White
