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| A very stout bodied snake with an upturned snout, the Hognose Snake is rather variable in appearance. Generally a well-patterned snake, its background color can be yellow, gray, pinkish brown, olive or black, patterned with large rectangular spots down the middle of the back alternating with dark spots on each side. The spots may turn into rings on the tail. Occasionally the pattern is obscured by overall dark coloration. Some may appear all black. Body scales are keeled and the underside of the tail is usually lighter than the rest of the belly. The Eastern Hognose Snake’s preferred habitat is sandy soils of the Algonquin Highlands. Heavily wooded areas, prairies, and grasslands are also common habitats. Toads are their preferred prey, although frogs, salamanders, small mammals, birds, insects, lizards, snakes, reptile eggs, and carrion are also taken. Hognose Snakes appear to be immune to poisons produced by toads, and are equipped with large teeth in the back of their mouths, apparently to puncture inflated toads so that they may be more easily swallowed. When confronted, the Hognose Snake will fan its head and neck much like a cobra, hiss, and lunge as if to strike. Despite this rather convincing show, Hognose Snakes almost never bite. They will often feign death if provoked enough. Most matings take place in the spring. Females typically deposit lay 10 - 30 eggs in a depression under rocks or logs, in sandy soil, or in mulch piles. Eggs deposited in June and July hatch in August and September. They hibernate from October to late April in mammal or self constructed burrows. |
(Family Colubridae)
Heterodon platyrhinos
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