Southern Hognose

Description:

  A short, stout bodied, nonpoisonous snake.  Adult lengths are typically 14 to 21 inches.  The maximum recorded length is 24 inches.  The most distinguishing feature is its sharply upturned and pointed snout.  Adults are yellowish gray or light brown in color, often with orange-red tinges on the back.  Color patterns on the body consist of a row of large squarish, dark blotches down the back alternating with smaller blotches on the sides.  This color pattern is consistent throughout its range with black or melanistic specimens not known to exist.  The belly and underside of the tail are light cream in color and often have a slight grayish pattern.  Dorsal scales are keeled and the anal plate Shown in yellow. The scale or scales directly covering the… is divided.

  Scale distinction:  Keeled dorsal scales in 21-25 rows (midbody). A divided anal plate Shown in yellow. The scale or scales directly covering the…. Split subcaudial scales.

Habitat:

  Found in dry, upland habitats.  Dry areas such as old fields, forest openings and hardwood hammocks are also utilized.

Distribution:

  Occurs in the Coastal Plain from southern Mississippi to southeastern North Carolina and historically in the Ridge and Valley region of central Alabama.  Sightings are infrequent and populations appear to be in decline throughout its range.  In Alabama, the southern hognose snake has not been observed in over 20 years.

Feeding Habits:

Feeds mostly on toads and occasionally on frogs and lizards.  Toads tend to inhale air and puff up in size when attacked by a predator, making itself harder to swallow.  The snake’s loggerhead has large teeth in the back of its mouth, enabling the snake to puncture and deflate the toad, making it easier to swallow.  The upturned snout is used to dig for prey, even in hard clay soils.

Breeding:

 Little is known of their reproductive and nesting habits.  Nests in the wild have not been observed.  In captivity, eggs were laid in burrows dug by the female.   Clutch sizes ranged from six to 14 eggs.  Breeding has been observed in the spring and hatchlings have been reported in September and October.

Ecology:

  A secretive snake that spends much of its time under surface litter or underground. The southern hognose is active in daylight and dim, twilight hours only.   Predators include eastern kingsnakes and eastern indigo snakes.  The southern hognose snake and its more common relative, the eastern hognose snake, are often called puff adder or spreading adder.  When threatened, a hognose snake will raise its head, flatten its neck and hiss loudly.  If this fails to scare off the threat, the hognose snake will roll on its back, writhe as if in pain, open its mouth with its tongue hanging out and then become still, as if dead.  If rolled right side up, it will immediately roll back over.  The southern hognose will not bite.

Status:

  Endangered/ Possibly extirpated. Known from portions of Coastal Plain and Ridge and Valley. Although at least 10 records exsist, none are known since 1975. Reasons for apparent decline unknown. Southern hognose snakes are declining throughout their distribution, but still occur in parts of southern Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida, and may persist in very low numbers in Alabama