HOGNOSE SNAKE
North American hognose snakes are a non-medically significant venomous genus of fossorial colubrid snake’s native to southern Canada, northern Mexico, and most of the United States. There are actually three recognized genera of “hognose” snakes:
• Heterodon (North America)
• Lystrophis (South America)
• Leioheterodon (Madagascar)
Although unrelated, these snakes look like they could be cousins. That is due to a phenomenon called convergent evolution — when unrelated species evolve similar traits because of adapting to similar habitats/ecological niches.
This hognose snake care guide discusses the three recognized species of Heterodon, North American hognose snakes:
• Eastern hognose (Heterodon platirhinos)
• Western hognose (Heterodon nasicus)
• Southern hognose (Heterodon simus)
North American hognose snakes are an exciting yet slightly intimidating snake due to their extensive repertoire of defensive behaviours. If they feel threatened by a potential predator including humans, they may expand the ribs along the front of their body, cobra-like, to make themselves appear bigger. This display is often accompanied by loud hissing. But hognoses are most famous for their bluff strikes which are more like headbutts and their dramatic act of playing dead:
Hognose snakes are characterized by short faces with upturned, pig-like snouts used for digging in sandy soil and unearthing buried toads. They have keeled, matte scales along the length of their body and feel very different to either a corn snake or ball python. Many different colours and patterns are available and may be based on species. They also have round pupils, indicating that they are active during the day (diurnal), although they are most active during the morning and late afternoon hours.
Depending on the gender and species, hognoses can be anywhere between 14”-46” (36-117cm) long, with females tending to be much larger than the males. Hognose snakes live between 10-15 years in captivity, although there is at least one known case of an 18-year-old hognose.
Like other snakes, hognoses are carnivores, which means that more than 90% of their diet comes from eating animals. Although they are considered toad specialists especially H. platirhinos and H. simus, they actually eat a variety of amphibians as well as reptiles and occasionally small mammals. Hognoses are not constrictors, instead relying on their venom to make their prey manageable.
Hognoses are technically considered “rear-fanged venomous” because instead of fangs at the front of their jaws like most snakes, the fangs are placed at the back of the upper jaw. Venom delivery is via grooved (not hollow) fangs connected to Duvernoy’s glands, which means that chewing is required for full envenomation of prey. Venom is not present in hognose saliva. Fortunately, hognose venom is specialized for amphibians, making it relatively harmless to humans and does not require medical attention, unless like a bee sting you are allergic.