Synonyms: Eastern Hog-nose Snake, Eastern Hognose Snake.
The distinctive Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) is famous, along with other members of its genus, for its animated defensive behavior. When confronted with a potential predator, this snake will greatly flatten its neck out to resemble a venomous pit viper, frequently mock-striking in an attempt to frighten its adversary away. If this does not succeed, the snake may resort to further theatrics, as it writhes and thrashes around on the ground, before flipping upside-down and persistently feigning death. Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes are primarily predators of frogs and toads (especially Fowler's Toad), and sometimes lizards. This species, and other hog-nosed snakes, actually have a very mild venom which they deliver to their prey using a pair of small, rear fangs in the back of its mouth. They are placed too far back to be used when striking in defense, and the snake is considered harmless to humans. In fact, when mock-striking in defense, it doesn't even open its mouth. This snake is fond of loose, sandy soils, where it frequently burrows using its modified snout (Tennant, 2003). Eastern Hog-nosed Snake is found throughout Maryland, but most commonly on the sandy coastal plain.
A primary prey species is the Fowler's Toad.
There are 293 records in the project database.
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