Color Photograph: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Southern Hognose Snake (Heterodon simus)

Identification: Snake 14 to 24 inches in length. A heavy bodied snake. Head wide with the snout turned upward at its apex. Coloration variable; gray, light brown, or light yellow. The dorsal midline has a series of square dark blotches. These blotches are interspersed with smaller, round blotches below the midline of the animal. Belly light gray or yellow. Underside of tail not distinctly lighter than the rest of the belly. Scales keeled and anal plate divided.

Geographical Variation: None.

Range (see map on left): The Southern Hognose Snake is a denizen of the southeastern United States and is most common along the Gulf and southern Atlantic Coasts. It ranges northward to North Carolina and westward as far as Mississippi.

Habitat: This species is most commonly found in open, sandy regions or in floodplains.

Food: Apparently almost exclusively toads.

Behavior: The Southern Hognose Snake exhibits the same defensive behaviors as the Eastern Hognose Snake. When threatened it rears up, inflates its neck and body, hisses, and then pretends to strike. Possibly this behavior is intended to mimic the Timber Rattlesnake and its can be very alarming the first time you see it. If this doesn't work, the snake rolls over exposing its belly and opening its moth. This attitude is usually interpreted as "playing dead". This snake is a strong burrower and spends most of its time underground.

Reproduction:  Almost nothing about the reproductive biology of this species is known.

Southern Hognose Snake (Heterodon simus)

Similar Species:

The three species of the genus Heterodon are easily separated from other North American snakes by the wide head and mouth and the upturned snout.

Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus)

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)