Monday, June 27, 2011

Eastern Hognose Snake



Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

Sophie, our cat, first spotted it and then Kookie, our boxer/lab, ran over and began her "snake" bark. Kookie is scared of snakes and would not be any closer than a foot from it. I went into the house to grab my camera.



With Kookie still barking, the snake had spread its head and neck and gazed toward me, hizzing all the while. That's how I knew it was a hognose. From this angle, it's hard to see the characteristic upturned snout which gives the snake its name. He uses the snout to dig up buried toads--plenty of those around here. This snake looked over 3o inches long--close to the mature size.



This photo was taken with the flash--hence the more yellowish tone. I had seen a hognose many years ago but that one was colored much differently--much lighter. So, it's hard to identify by color although the markings are similar. The hissing and flared head behavior was a dead giveaway for the hognose. That is how I knew this snake was all bark and no bite. Back then, I was so scared I backed off without getting a photo. My husband went out and moved it with a stick--it flipped over and played dead, another characteristic of the snake.

But I didn't want to bother the snake. I grabbed Kookie by her collar and led her back to the house. She did not object--thankful that I had saved her from the snake encounter. When I went back, the snake was gone.

13 comments:

  1. What fun finding one of these snakes. I've not found them close by, but several times out in the Carolina Sandhills. Enjoyed Kookie's story too.

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  2. Its odd but I don't see the pic :-(

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  3. Randy--they are fun once you find out they won't hurt you.

    Louvregirl--I had copied and pasted the post from another blog I mistakenly put it on. So, I reposted the photos. You can now click on them to get the full size. Thanks for alerting me.

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  4. I live on the tail end of the Appalachian Ridge in Nova Scotia, where the wildlife seems much the same and much different.

    lupinhill.blogspot.com

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  5. Hognose snakes are a great find due to their unusual defensive behavior. I found a hognose in our garden earlier this spring. Judging by the bulge, I'd say it had very recently downed a toad.

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  6. Great photographs. We once had a Springer with a "snake" bark as well and often because she found a hognose. It is amazing how much they can puff themselves up. In Eastern North Carolina they are often called "hissing adders" although I've never heard them called that in the mountains.

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  7. what an awesome looking snake. great find by Sophie and Kookie. interesting traits the snake has for defense. hope all is well. have a great night.

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  8. What lovely markings! I would have probably run .... I am a bit scared of them too :)

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  9. I'm scared too, but there just God's creature, and look marvellous for me

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  10. It is actually a beautiful snake. I'm glad you went back for your camera.
    nellie

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  11. I was out turkey hunting this morning when a came upon a hognose snake. At first I thought it was a copperhead but it flattened its head out like a cobra. It was colored just like the one in your pic. Near, Pipestem , W.V.

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