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Eastern Hognoses (Heterodon platirhinos) are a species of harmless snakes found all throughout Virginia. Adult snakes average 28 inches, and the females of the species are larger than the males. Their name is given to them by their upward turning snout which they use for digging.
This snake is considered a rear-fanged snake, but any venom they may secrete is not considered dangerous to humans. Their fangs are located so far back in their mouth that it is very unlikely they would make contact even if you were bitten. They are primarily used for puncturing toads to deflate them just before swallowing. The Eastern Hognose snake will actually go out of its way to scare off predators as opposed to biting.
You will notice that the snake may hiss and feign strikes, but as I mentioned before, they are unlikely to bite. This snake has sometimes been compared to a cobra because it will raise its head off the ground and flatten its neck and head. This is all an attempt to intimidate its attackers. If none of this works, the snake will roll up and play dead. This involves rolling onto their backs and allowing their tongue to hang from their mouth. They may also emit a foul smelling musk from their cloaca.
Eastern Hognose snakes come in a variety of colors. They can be red, green, brown, orange, gray, black, or any combination of those colors. They can also be checkered, blotched, or patternless (the hognose in the video is considered melanistic, which is their black phase). Their belly is lighter and tends to be yellow, gray, or cream colored.
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These snakes primarily eat toads and have actually evolved to do so. Their rear fangs will puncture and deflate the toads as the puff up to become harder to swallow. They also have enlarged adrenal glands which secrete large amounts of hormones to counteract the toad’s poisonous skin.
These snakes primarily eat toads and have actually evolved to do so. Their rear fangs will puncture and deflate the toads as the puff up to become harder to swallow. They also have enlarged adrenal glands which secrete large amounts of hormones to counteract the toad’s poisonous skin.
Remember that there are only three venomous snakes to watch out for in Virginia. These are timber rattlesnakes. All other native snakes are harmless to humans, but it is always best to observe nature and not interfere. There is no need to fear these creatures as they play a vital role in Virginia’s ecosystem. I often ask people, “Would you rather have one snake or the dozens of mice it can eat in a year?”