Eastern Hognose Snake

(Formerly Eastern Hognosed Snake)

Scientific Name: Heterodon platirhinos
Family: Xenodontidae

Description & Size

  • Legless
  • No eyelids
  • Lacks external ears
  • Scales on the back have a prominent ridge in the middle (strongly keeled)
  • Upturned nose (less so then Western Hognose Snake)
  • Total length: 30.0-115.6 cm (11.9-45.5 in)
  • Back color: yellow, gray, olive, light or dark brown, or black
  • Belly color: light in color
  • May or may not have blotches on the back

Life History

  • Diurnal, rarely nocturnal
  • Active season: April – early October
  • Breeding season: mid-April – June
  • Lays eggs
  • 35-40 eggs per female

Habitat

  • River flood plains
  • Riparian woodlands
  • Riparian grasslands
  • Sparse vegetation
  • Sandy soils

Diet

  • Frogs and toads

Range Map

Eastern Hognose Range Map

Most common range within the last 50 years and does not include outliers. For more info email researchers email.