Western Hognose Snake
Heterodon nasicus
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Colubridae
Western Hognose Snake
Range
Central United States, northern Mexico, and southern Canada
Size
Length: Up to 35 in
Weight: 2 - 13 oz
Habitat
Sandy prairies, scrublands, and floodplains
Young
Clutch: 4 - 23 eggs
Incubation: 9 weeks
Diet
Small lizards, reptile eggs, birds, and small rodents.
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Superb Bluffer
When threatened, it first tries to mimic a venomous cobra by flattening its neck into a hood, inflating its body, hissing, and fake-striking. If that fails, it dramatically plays dead: rolling onto its back, exposing its belly, and staying completely limp with its mouth open and tongue lolling out.
Up-turned Scale
The name of this snake comes from the distinct up-turned scale on its nose. This scale can be used to forage for food as well as to dig burrows.
Duvernoy's Gland
The hognose snake produces mildly toxic saliva in its Duvernoy’s gland, but it isn't dangerous to people. A bite will typically cause only slight swelling and pain.