Eastern hognose snake

**Eastern Hognose Snake**

The Eastern Hognose Snake, *Heterodon platirhinos*, is a generally small to medium sized snake that enjoys feeding on frogs and toads. Adults average generally between 20-33 inches in length, though most are in the shorter end of that range. Its range is extensive, covering the eastern half of the U.S.; they are found from New Hampshire and Cape Cod, south to Florida, west to Texas and north to Minnesota.

Eastern hognose snakes are rear-fanged venomous snakes, though they are not dangerous to people or pets. The venom is prey-specific, that is, it is meant for frogs and toads. Bites are rare (due to the location of the fangs and the snakes reluctance to bite), but if they do occur are considered medically insignificant.

[Diagnostic Features:](https://www.iowaherps.com/content/media/28-heterodon_platirhinos.jpg)

- Named because of their upturned keeled rostral scale. This modification allows them to burrow easily into the soil, either to seek shelter or to seek out their prey.

- Anal plate is divided.

- Dorsal scales are keeled, in rows of 23 or 25 at midbody.

[Coloration:]( https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4652/39736255582_38f1ec049b_o.jpg)

- Wide variety of background dorsal color, ranging from tan, brown, and olive to yellow and orange.

- Some individuals, especially those along the eastern coast of the U.S., are [entirely black](http://kysnakes.ca.uky.edu/sites/kysnakes.ca.uky.edu/files/styles/image_style_k_308_snake/public/snakes/core-images/heterodon_platirhinos_2.jpg?itok=V0v2-4P6) (or melanistic).

- A series of darker blotches running the length of the body along the spine, with dark blotches present on either side of the neck and a series of small circles running the length of the body on each side of the body.

- A postocular stripe and a dark bar between the eyes is also present.

- The belly is gray and unmarked with dark pigment, with the underside of the tail often lighter than the dorsal color of the body.

Interesting fact- Eastern hognose snakes are many people's favorite snakes. Nicknamed the drama noodle, the hognose is capable of [flaring out it's neck](http://cdn-media1.teachertube.com/photo601/7488L.jpg) (similar to what a cobra would do) to make itself look mean. Many times during this display the snake will also hiss. As a last defense, the hognose will flail around as if it is dying and then it finally ["dies."](https://gfycat.com/DisloyalUnrulyHogget) This is done to deter a predator from eating it.


[Range map](http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/rangemaps/11061521351279813rangemap.gif).