Western Hognose Snake     Heterodon nasicus

The hognose gets its name by the distinguishing characteristic of an upturned snout. The snake also possesses a ridge on top its snout. The body is grayish-tan with brown blotches, scales are keeled (ridged).  Other species within the genus are more distinguishable by observing the belly coloration.  The Western hognose has a black belly and tail whereas the Eastern has a lighter tail than belly and the Southern has both a lighter tail and belly. 

The western hognose snake is a slow-moving, terrestrial snake. Living in sand prairies, it uses mammal burrows to escape underground in cold or wet weather. This snake will flatten its head and neck, hiss and inflate its body with air when disturbed, hence its nickname of "puff adder." It may also vomit, flip over on its back, shudder a few times and play dead. The upturned snout is used to help dig prey items out of sandy soil.

Mating may occur in spring or fall. The female lays eggs in sand in late spring or early summer. Eggs hatch in August or September.