Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

Widespread in NC and highly variable in color, hognose snakes are known for their entertaining behavior. When disturbed, a hognose snake will usually display a number of interesting and often entertaining defensive behaviors. Hognose snakes are non-venomous and are usually found in somewhat dry soil habitats. These totally harmless-to-humans snakes eat bugs when young and mostly eat toads & frogs when older. (Thanks to Jeff Beane for varioius tips on snake ID and info.)
Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Richmond Co., NC
14 June 2008

A common defensive intimidation behavior is to flatten their heads like cobras!

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Richmond Co., NC
14 June 2008

Hognose Snakes have small teeth. The rear teeth are reported to inject a mild venom into their prey (mostly toads) but are not dangerous to humans.

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Richmond Co., NC
14 June 2008

Playin' 'possum. After a few minutes of pretending to be dead, hognose snakes will turn back over and slither away.


Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

Eastern Hognose Snake playing cobra to scare us away!

Harnett Co., NC
3 Sep 2006
Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Harnett Co., NC
3 Sep 2006


Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Hoke Co., NC
12 September 2004
Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Hoke Co., NC
12 September 2004

Many Eastern Hognose Snakes are nearly all black above.

Pender Co., NC
23 Apr 2006
Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Pender Co., NC
23 Apr 2006

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)

Often mistaken for venomous snakes because of the color pattern and somewhat triangular shaped heads, hognose snakes are completely harmless and rarely bite even when first handled.

Orange Co., NC
7 Sep 2005
Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Orange Co., NC
7 Sep 2005

Hognose snakes are named for their upturned snouts.

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Orange Co., NC
7 Sep 2005
Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Orange Co., NC
7 Sep 2005

After handling for a few minutes, this snake turned belly up and completely played dead. It took him another few minutes to slowly turn over and crawl away!


Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)
Richmond Co., NC
7 Oct 2007

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)
Richmond Co., NC
7 Oct 2007

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)
Richmond Co., NC
7 Oct 2007

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)
Richmond Co., NC
7 Oct 2007


Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)
Weymouth Woods Preserve
Moore Co., NC
9 June 2007


Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)
Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover Co., NC
28 Apr 2013

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)
Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover Co., NC
28 Apr 2013

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)
Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover Co., NC
28 Apr 2013

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)
Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover Co., NC
28 Apr 2013


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Created on ... Sep 14, 2004 | Updated on ... Sep 27, 2006 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com