Reptiles at Risk

Species Profile: Eastern Hognose Snake

Posted by Jeff Hathaway on August 18, 2009 at 4:40 PM

When chatting with the people to come to our programs, we almost always have at least a few who are very nervous about the snakes we travel with. While we understand that snakes are a very common fear, these fears are often built on misconceptions and inaccurate information.

At our program last night we were very excited to hear several people talking about the 'Puff Adders' that they saw near their houses, but were also sad to hear that most were afraid of these snakes. True Puff Adders are not found anywhere in Ontario, but the description of these snakes matches the Eastern Hognose Snake - a perfectly harmless, and very interesting at risk species that can be found in Ontario. While the Eastern Hognose Snake varys greatly in colour - from an olive green to brown, orange and black - they can easily be identified by their behavior.

There are many different fears associated with the defensive behavior of the Hognose Snake. When these snakes feel threatened, they rear up and flare their head making themselves appear larger and more intimidating. This act can also progress to hissing and false striking, however this snake is non-venomous and completely harmless! These strikes are usually done with a closed mouth and very little aim, so even if the snake made contact it likely would not hurt at all.

One could easily see how people would be wary of an animal with this type of behavior, and that is exactly why the snake puts on such an act. Unfortunately this will lead some people to kill the snake out of fear, and that is the last thing that we want to hear happen to any animal.

After this impressive display, however, the Hognose Snake will change tactics completely. When the flaring and hissing act fails they will actually move on to roll on their back, stick out their tongue, and play dead. They are fairly convincing with this part of their act as well! A snake that appears dead is usually far less intimidating than one which appears ready to strike, but in both cases we have nothing to fear from this snake.

The Hognose Snake is rarely seen in the wild, and they are a threatened species, so those we spoke to at last night's program are very lucky to be able to see them. These snakes are a perfect example of how we can percieve an animal to be dangerous and frightening, when they will actually do us no harm.

Robin