Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platyrhinos

This is a medium to large Iowa snake that may be 24 to 46 inches long and has a very stout body.  It is not considered venomous.  Their habitat is heavily wooded areas, prairies and grasslands.  They are even found on bluff prairies on occasion, however, they prefer sandy or loamy soin in which to burrow. 

They will fan their head and neck, much like a cobra, when alarmed.  Loud and prolonged hissing is accompanied by short jabs with the head as often away from the attacker as toward it.  The snake will not open its mouth to bite but acts as if it might.  If the attacker continues to press upon the hognose, it will open its mouth, writhe as if in pain and finally roll onto its back with its mouth open and tongue hanging out.  It cannot be induced to move.   Eastern hognose snakes are diurnal and actively hunt for food.  They may be observed basking in early morning and again at dusk.  They are one of the few snakes that dig their own burrow.  Logs, rocks, boards and other cover are used, especially just before shedding.

These snakes breed in the spring, are oviparous and lay 10-30 eggs in a sandy area.  The eggs hatch in about 2 months and the young are 5-12 inches at hatching.  They hibernate from October to late April in mammal or self constructed burrows.

Their diet consists of amphibians, mainly toads, and use their snout to dig them up as toads spend much time in self made burrows.  They also consume small mammals, birds, bird eggs, insects, lizards, snakes, reptile eggs and carrion.  They are immune to the toxic secretions that toads produce via the parotid glands.  They are not constrictors and swallow their prey alive.