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Hognose snakes
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The hognose snake is a unique little animal. They have a number of adaptations that make them fascinating creatures. They get their name from their upturned “hog” nose.
In Maryland, there are Eastern hognose snakes. As pets, it is preferred to have a western hognose because they are easier to get feeding in captivity. The diet in the wild is mostly toads. They have adapted rear fangs with a mild venom, not harmful to people, which they use on their prey. The toad will puff up with air as a defense and the hognose will bite down on the toad and its fangs will pop the skin.
They only reach a few feet in length with the males being smaller than the females. Their small size makes them a desirable pet, if only you can get them to eat.
There are other cute little adaptations in hognose snakes. They often roll over on their backs and play dead as a defense. It is not always the best method because if you pick up a hognose playing dead and set it correctly on the ground, it will turn upside down again as if to say, “NO! I’m dead.”
They often rattle their tails (their coloration has many people confusing them with rattlesnakes), puff up their faces like a cobra and strike if you try to pick them up. Unfortunately for the snake, they usually strike with a closed mouth so biting you is impossible.
The western hognose snakes can learn to eat rodents, which are much easier to find as a food source than toads. Once you get them out of the cage, they calm down right away and are entertaining and nice little snakes.
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