Eastern Hognose Snake

Breeding:
Mates spring and fall. Lay 4-61 elongate, thin-shelled eggs, about 1 ¼ “ long, June to
July (May in Texas, to late August in northerly areas), in a shallow cavity in loose or
sandy soil. Young, 6 ½ - 9 ½” long, hatch in 39-65 days.

Habitat:
Prefers open sandy-soiled areas; thinly wooded upland hillsides, cultivated fields, woodland meadow, Sea level to 2,500’

Range:
Eastern-central Minnesota to extreme s. New Hampshire south to s. Florida, west to e.
Texas and w. Kansas.

Commonly called puff, or spreading adder or blow viper. Active in the daytime. Burrows deep into loose earth during cold winter months. When disturbed, it “hoods” its neck, inflates its body, hisses loudly, and strikes. If this fails to discourage a would-be predator, it rolls over and plays dead with mouth agape and tongue hanging out. It becomes limp and will remain “dead” when picked up; however, it will roll over again if place right side up. In captivity it loses willingness to display suck behavior. Enlarged teeth on rear upper jaw is believed to inject mile venom into tads and frogs upon which it feeds. It rarely bits people.