Western Hognose Snake - Heterodon nasicus
Habitat:
Open prairies and meadows, flood plains, loose sandy soil
Range:
South central Canada, South to Southeast Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, southward to San Luis Potosi (Mexico)
Activity Cycle:
Active during the morning and late afternoon hours (crepuscular)
Features:
Known for its upturned nose like a hog (pig) snout; pale brown to yellowish black from behind the head to the tip of the tail covered by dark blotches; smaller dark blotches alternate in two rows along the sides; heavily pigmented belly with solid black under the tail
Size:
Two feet in length is typical but can reach up to three feet in length
Social Structure:
Solitary except during breeding season (March through April in the wild)
Life Expectancy:
10-20 years
Diet:
Toads, frogs, lizards, mice, birds, snakes and reptile eggs
Reproduction:
Females lay 4-20 eggs, which hatch after about 50-65 days
Status:
Least Concern
Interesting Facts:
- When threatened a Western Hognose Snake flattens out the skin behind its head to give it a hooded appearance. Next, it inflates its body by taking in a deep breath and releases a hissing sound when pushing the air out. The snake may attempt a closed mouth strike at the predator and then act like it is dying by making convulsion-like motions and flopping around. They will stick out their tongue and flip on their backs until the threat has passed. When it is clear the predator is gone, the snake will quickly slither away.
- Injects venom into its prey to subdue it but the venom is not dangerous to humans.
AZA cooperatively manages this species as a Species Survival Plan® Program.
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