Western Hognose Snake
Heterodon nasicus · Colubridae
Also called: Plains Hognose, Bluffer
A small, stocky, theatrical snake and a wildly popular pet. It hisses, flattens its neck and plays dead — but is essentially harmless to humans.
What the Western Hognose Snake looks like
How to identify it
- 1Sharply upturned, pig-like snout used for digging
- 2Tan or sandy body with dark squarish blotches
- 3Black-and-white checkered belly
- 4Flattens its neck and hisses when alarmed
Snakes it's confused with
Venomous; has a rattle and lacks the upturned snout.
Behavior & danger to humans
All bluff and theatrics; bites on humans are extremely rare and harmless.
⚠️ Danger: Harmless to people. Mild rear-fanged 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 venomousEastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platirhinos
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.
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.