Bug Identifier
Eastern Hognose Snake
Community identification

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Order & Family
Squamata, Colubridae
Size
20 to 46 inches (51 to 117 cm)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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