Eastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platirhinos · Colubridae
Also called: Puff Adder, Hissing Adder, Spreading Viper
A harmless toad-eater famous for its theatrics — it hisses, flattens its neck like a cobra, then flips over and plays dead. Rear-fanged with toxin that affects only amphibians.
What the Eastern Hognose Snake looks like
How to identify it
- 1Sharply upturned, pig-like snout
- 2Highly variable color: tan, orange, gray, brown or solid black
- 3Flattens neck into a 'hood' and hisses loudly when alarmed
- 4Plays dead by rolling belly-up with mouth open
Snakes it's confused with
Hognose flares and hisses but has no rattle, no fangs and an upturned snout.
Behavior & danger to humans
All bluff — almost never bites humans and is harmless even if it does.
⚠️ Danger: Harmless to humans. Its mild venom only subdues toads.
Related snakes
Mildly venomousCommon Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
The most widespread snake in North America and the classic 'garden snake.' Technically has a very mild saliva toxin but is harmless to humans.
Mildly venomousRing-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
A tiny, secretive snake with a bright neck ring and a vivid orange-yellow belly it curls to flash when threatened. Harmless to people despite mild rear-fanged saliva.
Mildly venomousWestern Hognose Snake
Heterodon nasicus
A small, stocky, theatrical snake and a wildly popular pet. It hisses, flattens its neck and plays dead — but is essentially harmless to humans.