H. platirhinos is most commonly referred to as the Eastern Hognose Snake. They are found in the woodlands, meadows, fields, scrubs and sand hills of the eastern United States and southern Canadian states. These snakes are completely harmless to humans and are well-known for their ‘play-dead’ defence measure. Threatened it will produce a loud hiss and may strike, but don’t worry this strike is more of a headbutt than a precision bite, Eastern hognoses keep their mouths shut when striking defensively. Further agitation will persuade the snake to adopt it’s ‘play-dead’ routine, doing so by rolling onto it’s back and continuing then to convulse and defecate, eventually lying their completely still until a time when the threat has passed.

The Eastern Hognose snake also has many other names, the Puff Adder, Hissing Adder, Spreading Adder, Blow Viper and the Hissing Sand Snake. Whichever name you hear, so long as the specimen is in fact H. platirhinosthen they are all completely harmless to humans despite many myths surrounding the species.

Contents 1 Description 2 Choosing your snake 3 Feeding 4 Breeding

Description

Adult Eastern Hognose snakes will reach anywhere between 50-85cm (20-33 inches) in length. As with most Hognose snakes the Plains is a heavy-bodied snake with a stocky, strong neck and the signature turned-up blunt snout. Eastern Hognoses have a wide range of colourations, from tan yellows to a solid black configuration.

Choosing your snake

Health checks for any snake:

• Firm rounded body.
• Clear eyes (may be a little cloudy if about to shed). There should be no sign of discharge.
• No evidence of mites – check especially around the head and eyes, check for faint specks on body and check your hands after handling the snake
• The snake should not have to open its mouth to breathe and should not appear as if it is gasping for breath.
• The inside of the mouth should be a uniform pink – reddened areas or cheesy looking matter may indicate mouth rot.
• Shiny smooth skin with no scabs or sores.
• Clean vent with no swelling in area
• Should move smoothly with no tremors

If you are unsure about the health of a snake, you can ask the vendor for a demonstration feeding, usually on pre-killed mice. If your new snake appears distressed or overly active, be patient but not ignorant, snakes will be agitated while they settle in to their new environments but if the problem persists it may be necessary to seek veterinary advice.

Feeding

In their natural habitat, the Eastern Hognose feeds mainly on toads, frogs, insects and invertebrates, juveniles eat small frogs and toads, insects, lizards, and small snakes.

Breeding

The breeding season takes place in both the spring and the autumn/fall. Males will follow the female around for several days before they attempt to mate. They lay between 4-60 pale, thin shelled, leathery eggs 3.2 cm (1.25 inches) long. Eggs are laid in a moist sandy, shallow hole, or under debris, and will hatch in 39-65 days depending on important factors such as temperature and humidity. Hatchlings are usually 16-24 cm(6.5-9.5 inches) long.