# Eastern Hognose Snake (*Heterodon platirhinos*) The Eastern Hognose Snake is a fun snake that loves to dig in the sand! It has a funny upturned nose that helps it burrow and find food. This snake is known for its playful behavior and can even pretend to be a cobra when it feels scared! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 14 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Eastern Hognose, Hognose, Hognose Snake ![Eastern Hognose Snake](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425733/objects/4281.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Hognose Snake has a distinct, shovel-like upturned snout, perfect for digging. Its stout body varies greatly in color, from brown, gray, or olive to black, often with dark blotches or a solid pattern. This unique nose makes it visually different from other local snakes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Heterodon ## Interesting facts - Even with their scary cobra act and playing dead, Eastern Hognose Snakes rarely bite humans! - Some people call them 'puff adders' because they hiss loudly and puff up when startled! - Their venom is harmless to humans, but it helps them stun their toad snacks! - These snakes are immune to the strong toxins found in toads, making them super special eaters! ## Special abilities - **Death-Defying Act:** Eastern Hognose Snake can play dead, flipping over and going limp, which helps them trick predators into thinking they are unappetizing. - **Cobra Impersonator:** Eastern Hognose Snake can flatten its neck and hiss loudly, which helps them appear larger and scarier to intimidate threats. - **Shovel-Nose Digger:** Eastern Hognose Snake has an upturned, shovel-like snout that helps them dig into soft soil to find prey and burrow for shelter. - **Toad Tamer:** Eastern Hognose Snake has mild venom and enlarged rear fangs that helps them subdue their favorite meal: toads. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 50-120 cm - **Weight:** 0.15-0.7 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-23 - **Incubation:** 40-60 days ## Diet & Feeding Mostly eat toads, but will sometimes munch on frogs and other small critters! - **Primary Foods:** toads, frogs, salamanders, small rodents - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [American Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-toad) (*Anaxyrus americanus*) — Their primary food source. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common aerial predator. - **Eaten by:** Eastern Kingsnake (*Lampropeltis getula*) — Known to prey on other snakes. - **Eats:** [Fowler's Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fowler-s-toad) (*Anaxyrus fowleri*) — Another common amphibian prey. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a snake, it's best to watch from a distance and not touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Hognose Snake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eastern Hognose Snake? 50-120 cm ### How much does Eastern Hognose Snake weigh? 0.15-0.7 kg ### How long does Eastern Hognose Snake live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Eastern Hognose Snake move? 3 km/h ### What does Eastern Hognose Snake eat? Mostly eat toads, but will sometimes munch on frogs and other small critters! ### Where is Eastern Hognose Snake usually found? Grasslands ### How does Eastern Hognose Snake hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Advance Mills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/advance-mills) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [Batesville East Main Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/batesville-east-main-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Canton Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canton-center-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Charleston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charleston-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Five Channels Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/five-channels-dam) — Michigan, US · Historic Site - [French Quarter](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/french-quarter) — US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Eastern Hognose Snake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-hognose-snake) ## Watch - [Play video: Eastern Hognose Snake](https://www.snappit.app/videos/eastern-hognose-snake) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=x058uA3Qcow) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Eastern Hognose Snake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-hognose-snake)