Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake

Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake.
Scientific Name
Heterodon platirhinos
Family
Colubridae (nonvenomous snakes) in the order Squamata (lizards and snakes)
Description

The eastern hog-nosed snake is medium-sized, with a heavy body and an upturned snout. The color is highly variable. Ground color is normally gray-brown or tan, but it is not uncommon for individuals to be yellow or orange. Sometimes there is a series of brown blotches on the back. Sometimes the snake is dull-colored and lacks markings. Some are jet black, brown, or olive. The belly is gray, yellow, or pink, mottled with gray or greenish gray. The underside of the tail is normally lighter than the belly. There is always a pair of large, dark brown or black blotches behind the head. Hatchlings are more colorful than adults, with numerous brown, black, tan, yellow, or orange blotches that may form bands toward the tail.

When approached, this harmless snake can hiss loudly and spread its head and neck like a cobra. Remember that this is a nonvenomous snake. If these defenses fail to ward off an enemy, the snake may thrash around, open its mouth, roll over, and play dead.

Similar species: The plains hog-nosed snake (H. nasicus) and dusty hog-nosed snake (H. gloydi) — virtually indistinguishable from each other — both have a sharply upturned snout and black pigment on the underside of the tail. Both are very rare in our state. The plains hog-nosed snake was once known only from loess hill prairies in extreme northwestern Missouri and is probably extirpated. The dusty hog-nosed snake is restricted to sand prairie and savanna areas of southeastern Missouri.

Common Name Synonyms
Spread-Head; Puff Adder; Hissing Viper
Size
Length: 20 to 33 inches.
Where To Find
Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake Distribution Map
Statewide.
This species is active by day, from mid-April to October. There is no definite home range. Individuals burrow into loose soil or sand or enter the borrows of small mammals. Sometimes they hide under objects such as rocks or boards. A variety of habitats are used, but the preferred habitats have sandy or loose soils, including sandy river floodplains, old fields, open woods, and rocky wooded hillsides. They overwinter in abandoned small mammal burrows.
Eastern hog-nosed snakes feed chiefly on toads but are also known to eat frogs and salamanders. Apparently, a pair of large teeth on the upper jaw, in the back of the mouth, assist in swallowing large prey.
Mating occurs in April and May. The female lays 4-61 eggs, usually in a shallow burrow in sand or loose soil. Hatching occurs in August or September. The young are brightly colored and about 9 inches long when they hatch.
Colorful local names have been applied to this harmless snake, including "spreadhead," "puff adder," and "hissing viper." Animals with remarkable characteristics, and capable of inspiring strong emotions, hold psychological and symbolic significance for humans, as seen in cultures worldwide.
Although we quickly, and rightly, think of snakes as predators, this snake is also a prey species. Its elaborate defense tactics, ranging from a fierce (though harmless) attack display to a truly convincing death act, remind us that many predatory mammals and birds relish the meat of this reptile.
Media Gallery
Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake.
An eastern hog-nosed snake's fierce (though harmless) attack display reminds us that many predatory mammals and birds relish the meat of this reptile.
MDC Staff
1/12
Photo of an orangish eastern hog-nosed snake, head spread.
For defense, the eastern hog-nosed snake can hiss loudly and spread its neck like a cobra.
Jim Rathert
2/12
Photo of an orangish eastern hog-nosed snake playing dead.
To ward off predators, a frightened eastern hog-nosed snake can roll over and play dead.
Jim Rathert
3/12
Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake on back in defensive pose.
Eastern hog-nosed snakes play dead to keep from being eaten by other animals.
Jim Rathert
4/12
Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake, brown specimen.
Eastern hog-nosed snakes are active by day, from mid-April to October.
Jim Rathert
5/12
Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake crawling and not puffed up.
Eastern hog-nosed snakes have no definite home range. They prefer habitats with sandy or loose soils.
Jim Rathert
6/12
Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake camouflaged on leaves.
Eastern hog-nosed snakes are one of many snakes with camouflage coloration.
Jim Rathert
7/12
Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake, closeup showing head.
Eastern hog-nosed snakes feed chiefly on toads but are also known to eat frogs and salamanders.
Jim Rathert
8/12
Photo of an orangish eastern hog-nosed snake.
The color of eastern hog-nosed snakes is highly variable, but there is always a pair of large dark blotches behind the head.
Jim Rathert
9/12
Photo of a coiled eastern hog-nosed snake showing tongue.
At this point, the eastern hog-nosed snake is the only hog-nosed snake known to live in Missouri.
Jim Rathert
10/12
Image of eastern hog-nosed snake
Jim Rathert
11/12
Video of an eastern hog-nosed snake in the wild.
Kevin Muenks
12/12
Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake.
Photo of an orangish eastern hog-nosed snake, head spread.
Photo of an orangish eastern hog-nosed snake playing dead.
Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake on back in defensive pose.
Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake, brown specimen.
Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake crawling and not puffed up.
Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake camouflaged on leaves.
Photo of an eastern hog-nosed snake, closeup showing head.
Photo of an orangish eastern hog-nosed snake.
Photo of a coiled eastern hog-nosed snake showing tongue.
Image of eastern hog-nosed snake
Similar Species
About Reptiles and Amphibians in Missouri
Missouri’s herptiles comprise 43 amphibians and 75 reptiles. Amphibians, including salamanders, toads, and frogs, are vertebrate animals that spend at least part of their life cycle in water. They usually have moist skin, lack scales or claws, and are ectothermal (cold-blooded), so they do not produce their own body heat the way birds and mammals do. Reptiles, including turtles, lizards, and snakes, are also vertebrates, and most are ectothermal, but unlike amphibians, reptiles have dry skin with scales, the ones with legs have claws, and they do not have to live part of their lives in water.