# Plains Hognose Snake (*Heterodon nasicus*) The Plains Hognose Snake is a fun and friendly snake that loves to dig in the sand. It has a special upturned nose that helps it burrow and find food. When scared, it can puff up and play dead to trick its enemies! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Plains Hognose Snake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Heterodon_nasicus.jpg&width=800) Photo: The original uploader was Dawson at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heterodon_nasicus.jpg) ## Appearance The Plains Hognose Snake has a stout body, typically light brown, tan, or gray, with dark, rounded blotches down its back. Its most distinct feature is an upturned, shovel-like snout that aids in digging. Its underside is usually lighter, often speckled. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Heterodon ## Interesting facts - Their scales are keeled, meaning they feel rough, not smooth! - They can burrow backwards into soft sand using strong muscles in seconds! - They expertly eat toxic toads that most other animals avoid! - When playing dead, they release a musky smell to convince predators! ## Special abilities - **Super Digger Snout:** Plains Hognose Snake can burrow quickly because of its specialized, upturned nose that acts like a tiny shovel. - **Playing Dead Prowess:** Plains Hognose Snake can fool predators by rolling over and playing dead, making them seem less appealing. - **Hooded Harassment:** Plains Hognose Snake can flatten its neck like a cobra, appearing bigger and more threatening. - **Toad Tamer Venom:** Plains Hognose Snake can subdue toxic toads using mild, rear-fanged venom that aids digestion. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 38-75 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-12 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-23 - **Incubation:** 48-65 days ## Diet & Feeding This snake mainly eats amphibians like toads and frogs, often digging them out of their hiding spots. - **Primary Foods:** toads, frogs, salamanders, lizards - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Woodhouse's Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/woodhouses-toad) (*Anaxyrus woodhousii*) — A primary food source for the snake. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common avian predator of these snakes. - **Eaten by:** [American Badger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-badger) (*Taxidea taxus*) — Preys on snakes it unearths while digging. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Opportunistically preys on snakes. ## 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. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [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. - [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 Plains 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 Plains Hognose Snake? 38-75 cm ### How much does Plains Hognose Snake weigh? 0.05-0.2 kg ### How long does Plains Hognose Snake live? 8-12 years ### How fast can Plains Hognose Snake move? 5 km/h ### What does Plains Hognose Snake eat? This snake mainly eats amphibians like toads and frogs, often digging them out of their hiding spots. ### Where is Plains Hognose Snake usually found? Grasslands ### How does Plains Hognose Snake hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Bickelhaupt Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bickelhaupt-arboretum) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden - [Chadron Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chadron-commercial-historic-district) — Nebraska, US · Historic District - [Howard County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/howard-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site - [Rita Blanca National Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rita-blanca-national-grassland) — Texas, US · National Park - [The Caverns Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-caverns-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Spruce Woods Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/spruce-woods-provincial-park) — Manitoba, CA · State Park [View all places to see Plains Hognose Snake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/plains-hognose-snake) ## 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: [Plains Hognose Snake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plains-hognose-snake)