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Eastern Hog-nosed Snake |
Scientific:
Heterodon platyrhinos
Latreille Description:
50 to 85 cm (20 to 34 in) Females
are larger than males. Its
name means “upturned snout.” Look for long blackish blotches on
either side of the head. Colours and patterns can vary. When
threatened, it will puff-up its neck to twice its normal width and hiss
loudly. This is when most people discover the snake. You are in no
danger. In some situations
the head of the snake is raised, and sometimes it strikes out with a
closed mouth. After a
while, it will roll onto its back, exposing its belly and play dead
until its '‘attacker'’ leaves. Eggs:
Laid in the sand usually in June. Each female lays between 10-30 eggs, hatching two months later.
The young snakes are 12 – 30 cm (5-12 in) after hatching. Habitat:
Sandy
areas; upland forests or meadows near sandy areas. Food: Preferred food is American toads, but will eat frogs, insects, and mice. Life
History: It is elusive for most
of the year. Sightings are
most frequent in May-June when they are mating. These snakes spend much
of the summer hunting for toads in sandy, upland areas.
Some people see them in late summer while gardening in this type
of soil. It hibernates from
October to late April in burrows that they dig out, or in old mammal
burrows. Similar
Species: Northern watersnake, an
aquatic species, found around lakes, rivers and wetlands, not upland
sites like the hog-nosed. The
northern watersnake does not have an upturned snout. Threats:
Human misunderstanding, their
size, large head and overall appearance makes many humans think these
snakes are poisonous and a threat. The hog-nosed also ‘puffs up’ to
look cobra-like and hisses loudly when threatened which makes them seem
like a dangerous snake. This misunderstanding often results in a
harmless snake being killed when discovered.
What
you can do: You
are in no danger from the eastern hog-nosed snake.
Report sighting to the OMNR. Compiled by: Richard Rowe, Nipissing First Nation. |
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