Eastern Hognosed Snake
Heterodon platyrhinos
CLASS: Reptilia
ORDER: Squamata
SUBORDER: Serpentes
FAMILY: Colubridae
SIZE:
Up to 45 inches in length
RANGE:
Eastern North America; statewide in Louisiana
HABITAT:
Most abundant in dry uplands
DIET:
Wild - Toads mainly; frogs and salamander
Zoo - Toads and frogs
DESCRIPTION:
Medium sized to moderately long, heavy bodies; upturned snout; occasionally uniformly black but more often dark spots on a lighter color; anal plate divided.
ADAPTATIONS:
Pointed, upturned snout useful for digging and burrowing; variable colorations make for excellent camouflage; employs "playing dead" method of avoiding enemies; toxic saliva used to sudue prey.
Mildly venemous
Often called "spreading adder" or "puff adder" because of its ability to flatten neck and spread an almost cobra-like hood when confronted. Rarely bites humans, but fatalities have occured due to allergic reaction to the toxic saliva.
YOUNG:
9 - 25 eggs laid from June to October. Young are usually brown and orange when hatched and darken as they get older.
STATUS:
Not threatened; vulnerable due to habitat loss
REFERENCES:
"The Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana," Harold A. Dundee and Douglas A. Rossman
"Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia," Vol. 6 Reptiles, Dr. Bernhard Grzimek
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