Western Hognose Snake
Western Hognose Snake ~ Heterodon nasicus
Genus: Heterodon
Species: nasicus
Adult body length: 15 – 27 inches
Body length at birth: 9 – 15 inches
Breeding period: April – June
Young per year: 10 – 30 young per year
Typical foods: Amphibians (mainly toads), birds, small mammals, eggs, and lizards
Habitat: sandy or gravel areas, prairies, grassland, and damp areas
Can be found: from Alberta, south to Arizona and Texas
Short description: mild venom, broad headed, rounded head, stout, keeled scales, rounded pupils
General description:
The Western Hognose Snake is considered as a
non-venomous snake for it has a mild venom and
it is rear fanged. Its bites can’t inject venomom into
a human. The background coloration of this snake
varies from yellow or grey, to brown. It has a square
spotted pattern going down the center of its back. It
also has an upright nose. It uses its upright nose like
a shovel to dig up toads and frogs. When this snake is
encountered, it sucks in air and flattens its head
(like a cobra), and hisses, if this doens’t work to scare
off its predator, then it plays dead, curling up and lying
on its back.
(picture above of a hognose snake playing dead)
October 24 2007 04:20 pm
