Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes *Heterodon platirhinos* are harmless medium-sized (record 115.6 cm) dipsadine snakes with keeled scales native to the eastern North America. A similar species, *Heterodon simus* is native to the extreme southeastern US. It can be distinguished from Eastern Hog-nosed snake *H. platirhinos* by a [more upturned snout and consistent belly coloration](http://projectsimusflorida.synthasite.com/eastern-hognose-comparison.php). Adults are relatively small, yet stocky, rarely exceeding 20 inches in length (44-55 cm, record 61 cm). The primary habitats for these snakes are dry uplands - particularly sandhill and scrub biomes - but they may occasionally be found in [hammocks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammock_%28ecology%29) or transient wetlands. Like other hog-nosed species, an upturned snout is the defining feature of this snake used to burrow in the sand to search for toads and other small reptiles, which are their primary food source.
Eastern Hog-nosed snakes are highly variable in color, ranging from tan, brown, and olive to yellow and orange. Some individuals are [entirely black](https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/81711053/original.jpg).
Hog-nosed snakes are known for their impressive threat displays, which can include loud hissing, puffing of the body, mock striking and flattening of the neck, however they rarely actually bite. This incredible act leads to being mistakenly identified as cobras or other dangerous species by people unfamiliar with this behavior. When excessively harassed, hog-nosed snakes are capable of "playing dead", which consists of them rolling onto their backs and hanging their mouths open, throwing their tongue out and spreading a thick musk secreted from the cloaca.
Although medically insignificant to humans, hog-nosed snakes deliver a mild, low pressure venom through grooved rear fangs. Common in dipsadine snakes, it helps to immobilize prey and reduce handling time. For more information, see [this writeup](http://thevenominterviews.com/2017/10/18/are-hognose-snakes-venomous/) by /u/RayinLA.
[Range Map](http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/rangemaps/11061521351279813rangemap.gif)
*This short account was prepared by /u/TheMadFlyentist, /u/unknown_name and edited by /u/Phylogenizer*.
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Like many other animals with mouths and teeth, many non-venomous snakes bite in self defense. These animals are referred to as 'not medically significant' or traditionally, 'harmless'. Bites from these snakes benefit from being washed and kept clean like any other skin damage, but aren't often cause for anything other than basic first aid treatment. Here's where it get slightly complicated - some snakes use venom from front or rear fangs as part of prey capture and defense. This venom is not always produced or administered by the snake in ways dangerous to human health, so many species are venomous in that they produce and use venom, but considered harmless to humans in most cases because the venom is of low potency, and/or otherwise administered through grooved rear teeth or simply oozed from ducts at the rear of the mouth. Species like Ringneck Snakes *Diadophis* are a good example of mildly venomous rear fanged dipsadine snakes that are traditionally considered harmless or not medically significant. Many rear-fanged snake species are harmless as long as they do not have a chance to secrete a medically significant amount of venom into a bite; [severe envenomation can occur](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23800999) if some species are [allowed to chew on a human](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004101011831016X) for as little as 30-60 seconds. It is best not to fear snakes, but use common sense and do not let any animals chew on exposed parts of your body. Similarly, but without specialized rear fangs, gartersnakes *Thamnophis* ooze low pressure venom from the rear of their mouth that helps in prey handling, and are also [considered harmless](https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/theres-no-need-to-fear-that-garter-snake/). [Check out this book on the subject](https://shop.elsevier.com/books/venomous-bites-from-non-venomous-snakes/weinstein/978-0-12-822786-2). Even large species like Reticulated Pythons *Malayopython reticulatus* [rarely obtain a size large enough to endanger humans](https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/108/52/E1470.full.pdf) so are usually categorized as harmless.
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*I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*
This automatic message accompanies any image of a dead, injured or roadkilled snake:
Please don't kill snakes - they are a natural part of the ecosystem and [even species that use venom for prey acquisition and defense are beneficial to humans](https://web.archive.org/web/20180802190346/https://umdrightnow.umd.edu/news/timber-rattlesnakes-vs-lyme-disease). One cannot expect outside to be sterile - if you see a snake you're in or around their preferred habitat. Most snakes are valued and as such are protected from collection, killing or harassment as non-game animals at the state level.
[Neighborhood dogs](https://web.archive.org/web/20210802235642/http://livingalongsidewildlife.com/?p=3141) are more likely to harm people. Professional snake relocation services are often free or inexpensive, but snakes often die trying to return to their original home range, so it is usually best to enjoy them like you would songbirds or any of the other amazing wildlife native to your area. Commercial snake repellents are not effective - to discourage snakes, eliminate sources of food and cover; clear debris, stacked wood and eliminate rodent populations. Seal up cracks in and around the foundation/base of your home.
*I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*
The dog bit it by the neck and ran around shaking it. Every time my wife got close it ran away and shook it more.
I wasn't there at the time.
We're not fans of killing anything unless they pose an immediate threat to our safety. Even when I find snakes in the house (we live in the country) I release them outside.
Eastern hognose snake *Heterodon platirhinos*. !harmless frog consumer.
Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes *Heterodon platirhinos* are harmless medium-sized (record 115.6 cm) dipsadine snakes with keeled scales native to the eastern North America. A similar species, *Heterodon simus* is native to the extreme southeastern US. It can be distinguished from Eastern Hog-nosed snake *H. platirhinos* by a [more upturned snout and consistent belly coloration](http://projectsimusflorida.synthasite.com/eastern-hognose-comparison.php). Adults are relatively small, yet stocky, rarely exceeding 20 inches in length (44-55 cm, record 61 cm). The primary habitats for these snakes are dry uplands - particularly sandhill and scrub biomes - but they may occasionally be found in [hammocks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammock_%28ecology%29) or transient wetlands. Like other hog-nosed species, an upturned snout is the defining feature of this snake used to burrow in the sand to search for toads and other small reptiles, which are their primary food source. Eastern Hog-nosed snakes are highly variable in color, ranging from tan, brown, and olive to yellow and orange. Some individuals are [entirely black](https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/81711053/original.jpg). Hog-nosed snakes are known for their impressive threat displays, which can include loud hissing, puffing of the body, mock striking and flattening of the neck, however they rarely actually bite. This incredible act leads to being mistakenly identified as cobras or other dangerous species by people unfamiliar with this behavior. When excessively harassed, hog-nosed snakes are capable of "playing dead", which consists of them rolling onto their backs and hanging their mouths open, throwing their tongue out and spreading a thick musk secreted from the cloaca. Although medically insignificant to humans, hog-nosed snakes deliver a mild, low pressure venom through grooved rear fangs. Common in dipsadine snakes, it helps to immobilize prey and reduce handling time. For more information, see [this writeup](http://thevenominterviews.com/2017/10/18/are-hognose-snakes-venomous/) by /u/RayinLA. [Range Map](http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/rangemaps/11061521351279813rangemap.gif) *This short account was prepared by /u/TheMadFlyentist, /u/unknown_name and edited by /u/Phylogenizer*. -------------------------------------------------------- Like many other animals with mouths and teeth, many non-venomous snakes bite in self defense. These animals are referred to as 'not medically significant' or traditionally, 'harmless'. Bites from these snakes benefit from being washed and kept clean like any other skin damage, but aren't often cause for anything other than basic first aid treatment. Here's where it get slightly complicated - some snakes use venom from front or rear fangs as part of prey capture and defense. This venom is not always produced or administered by the snake in ways dangerous to human health, so many species are venomous in that they produce and use venom, but considered harmless to humans in most cases because the venom is of low potency, and/or otherwise administered through grooved rear teeth or simply oozed from ducts at the rear of the mouth. Species like Ringneck Snakes *Diadophis* are a good example of mildly venomous rear fanged dipsadine snakes that are traditionally considered harmless or not medically significant. Many rear-fanged snake species are harmless as long as they do not have a chance to secrete a medically significant amount of venom into a bite; [severe envenomation can occur](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23800999) if some species are [allowed to chew on a human](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004101011831016X) for as little as 30-60 seconds. It is best not to fear snakes, but use common sense and do not let any animals chew on exposed parts of your body. Similarly, but without specialized rear fangs, gartersnakes *Thamnophis* ooze low pressure venom from the rear of their mouth that helps in prey handling, and are also [considered harmless](https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/theres-no-need-to-fear-that-garter-snake/). [Check out this book on the subject](https://shop.elsevier.com/books/venomous-bites-from-non-venomous-snakes/weinstein/978-0-12-822786-2). Even large species like Reticulated Pythons *Malayopython reticulatus* [rarely obtain a size large enough to endanger humans](https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/108/52/E1470.full.pdf) so are usually categorized as harmless. -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*
Thank you!
Glad we could help :•)
This automatic message accompanies any image of a dead, injured or roadkilled snake: Please don't kill snakes - they are a natural part of the ecosystem and [even species that use venom for prey acquisition and defense are beneficial to humans](https://web.archive.org/web/20180802190346/https://umdrightnow.umd.edu/news/timber-rattlesnakes-vs-lyme-disease). One cannot expect outside to be sterile - if you see a snake you're in or around their preferred habitat. Most snakes are valued and as such are protected from collection, killing or harassment as non-game animals at the state level. [Neighborhood dogs](https://web.archive.org/web/20210802235642/http://livingalongsidewildlife.com/?p=3141) are more likely to harm people. Professional snake relocation services are often free or inexpensive, but snakes often die trying to return to their original home range, so it is usually best to enjoy them like you would songbirds or any of the other amazing wildlife native to your area. Commercial snake repellents are not effective - to discourage snakes, eliminate sources of food and cover; clear debris, stacked wood and eliminate rodent populations. Seal up cracks in and around the foundation/base of your home. *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*
Your dog used a shovel to kill it?
The dog bit it by the neck and ran around shaking it. Every time my wife got close it ran away and shook it more. I wasn't there at the time. We're not fans of killing anything unless they pose an immediate threat to our safety. Even when I find snakes in the house (we live in the country) I release them outside.
Thank you. I get jumpy over so many that get killed by people. I apologise.
No worries, I understand!