Plains Hognose Snake

Range

Wide ranging down the middle of the United States, from south central Canada to central and west Texas, with patchy areas in the midwestern United States. It's more prevalent in the southern half of its range.

Habitats

Found in a wide range of habitats, but generally prefers sandy or gravelly substrate. Live in prairies, scrub, grasslands, river floodplains, semideserts, and agricultural areas.

Identification

A small snake with a stout body and drastically upturned snout for which it is named. It has rough, keeled scales, and its colors are believed to mimic the appearance of rattlesnakes. It has dark irregular spots on a light background which are larger on the center of the back, and smaller down the sides. These spots can be uniform in color, or have different shades. It has 2 distinct dark bands across its face, separated by jagged light lines, and 3 separate or connected dark patches on the neck. Males are smaller than females, which can reach a length of 15-20 inches. It will drastically flatten its head and neck or play dead when threatened.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians