Eastern Hognose Snake

The Eastern Hognose Snake is a snake known by many names; Puff Adder, Spreading Adder, Blowing Adder, Hissing Adder, Flathead, and Spreadhead...just to name a few! Wild specimens of this species exhale all the air in their lungs (hence the hissing sound), then spread their ribs in order to make themselves look larger. If the noise and the increased size fail to impress, they roll over on their backs and play dead! They play dead so well they let their tongue hang out! And while they are at it, they void their bowels. That usually sends any predator packing! The Hogie is nature's Drama Queen!

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Note the upturned nose, which the snake uses to root in the dirt, and to get under a toad (which the Eastern Hognose Snake specializes in eating).

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Tracey Harmon Photography

Eastern Hognose Snake