One of the more interesting snakes found on the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge is the eastern hognose snake. This species is commonly mistaken for the copperhead snake. Unlike the copperhead the eastern hognose is not venomous in any way. The color can be varied in tans, browns, grays, reds, and yellows but the common color is orange with black splotches. The most distinct feature is its pointed upturned snout. The hognose will f latten its head and hiss when threatened which is the reason why it is often mistaken for a dangerous snake. This act has lead to names such as puff adder and false cobra being used to describe the hognose. Most likely these names come into use when humans happened upon the snake mistaking it for one of the more deadly snakes that its false names describe. Cobras and adders are tropical and desert snakes so the names puff adder and false cobra have no relation to any snake you my mistake it for on the refuge.

The hognosed snake does put on a convincing act to defend itself from predators. When antagonized it will roll over and play dead coupled with emitting musk f Tom its anal plate and blood from its eyes. This elaborate act is supposed to make predators leave it alone but often when humans see this display the snake is killed out of fear that it is poisonous. The color and puffed up head account for it being mistaken as a venomous, snake but it is only a defense reaction to predators.

Studies have been done that show that it has a mildly toxic substance in its mucus that can affect frogs but not humans. This toxin apparently is so weak that it takes hours to affect frogs and thus it is unlikely the snake uses it as venom to capture prey.

The eastern hognose snake is not a very big snake, though there is a significant size difference between males and females. Males can reach 20.5 inches while females can reach nearly 48 inches long. The snakes frequent areas where the soil is loose and toads, frogs and other amphibians live. Areas near fields and in woods with low undergrowth are its main choices for habitat. The fact that many species of amphibians have poisons that they can secrete from their skin does not seem to deter the eastern hognose from eating them. It is thought that the eastern's adrenal glands help counter the toxins upon ingestion of its prey.

The next time you see one of these snakes take a good look at it and notice its characteristics. Try and figure out why so many people mistake it for other types of snakes. It is natural to fear something we know nothing about or have little experience with. The fact remains that we have little to fear from this most interesting of snakes found on the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy learning about this interesting little creature and remember it is just doing what all living things do. It is trying to survive.

Ross B. Eagles Spring Intern - ESVNWR

Information in this article was obtained from the web page at:

http://www.hognose.com/pages/species/east.htm