Heterodon platirhinos

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Eastern Hognose Snake

Eastern Hognose Snake, Heterodon platirhinos

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Heterodon
Species:	H. platirhinos

Binomial name

Heterodon platirhinos
Latreille, 1801

The Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) is a species of colubrid snake. It is one of four species of hognose snake native to North America.

1 Description
2 Behavior
3 Diet
4 In captivity
5 External links
6 References

[edit] Description

Heterodon platirhinos averages 28 inches at adult size, with females being larger than males. They are extremely variable in color and pattern. They can be red, green, orange, brown, grey to black, or any combination therein depending on locality. Pattern can be blotching, checkers, or even solid colored. Its underside tends to be a solid grey, yellow or cream colored. The most distinguishing feature of the eastern hognose snake is its upturned snout, which it uses to dig in sandy soils.

Eastern hognose snakes are considered to be rear-fanged venomous, but the venom they excrete is not considered to be dangerous to humans, and they are not known to bite (preferring instead to play dead).

Eastern Hognose, H. platirhinos

[edit] Behavior

When threatened, hognose snakes will flatten their necks and raise their heads off the ground, not unlike a cobra, and hiss. They may sometimes feign strikes, but are not apt to bite. This behavior has earned them several nicknames, such as "puff adder", "blowing adder", "flathead", "spreading adder" or "hissing adder". Note, though, the nickname "puff adder" is only a nickname and is not scientifically correct. There is a highly venomous viper from Africa called the puff adder, Bitis arietans. If this threat display does not work to deter a would-be predator, hognose snakes will often roll onto their back and play dead, going so far as to emit a foul musk from their cloaca and let their tongue hang out of their mouth. If they are rolled upright while in this state, they will often roll back as if insisting they are really dead.

H. platirhinos consuming a toad

[edit] Diet

The eastern hognose snake specializes in feeding on toads, having an immunity to the toxins toads secrete. They will also consume other amphibians, like frogs and salamanders.

[edit] In captivity

Eastern hognose snakes are frequently available in the exotic pet trade, but due to their difficult dietary requirements they can be a challenge for some keepers. Evidence has shown that eastern hognose snakes fed a diet which includes rodents tend to develop liver problems, and may have a reduced lifespan^[1]. In Canada, eastern hognose snakes are considered to be a species-at-risk (COSEWIC designation: Threatened), and consequently capture or harassment of these animals, including their captive trade, is illegal.