Eastern Hognose Snake
Scientific Name: Heterodon platirhinos
Order & Family: Squamata, Colubridae
Size: 20 to 46 inches (51 to 117 cm)
Natural Habitat
Sandy soil areas, woodlands, and coastal scrub
Diet & Feeding
Primarily toads; occasionally frogs, salamanders, and small mammals
Behavior Patterns
Famous for dramatic defensive displays, including flattening its neck like a cobra and 'playing dead' by flipping on its back with its tongue out
Risks & Benefits
Non-venomous and harmless to humans; provides ecosystem benefits by controlling toad and amphibian populations
Identified on: 5/31/2026