Plains Hognose snake

(Formerly Western Hognose Snake)
Scientific Name: Heterodon nasicus
Family: Xenodontidae

Description & Size

• Legless
• No eyelids
• Lacks external ears
• Scales on the back have a prominent ridge in the middle (strongly keeled)
• Divided anal scale
• Upturned nose
• Total length: 38.0-100.6 cm (15.0-39.6 in)
• Back color: light brown to tan
• Belly color: usually black
• May have multiple dark blotches up and down the back

Life History

• Diurnal, rarely nocturnal
• Active season: April – October
• Breeding season: Late spring – early summer
• Lays eggs
• 4-25 eggs per female

Habitat

• Dry short or mixed-grass prairie
• Sandy, loose soil
• Next to a body of water

Diet

• Toads and frogs
• Lizards
• Small mammals
• Reptile and bird eggs and hatchlings