g the property at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn last week, our Manager of Natural History, Carlos Chacon, came upon an Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) as it traveled through open areas on the property. Eastern Hognose Snakes occur throughout the southeast feeding primarily on toads. Natural predators of the Eastern Hognose Snake include other snakes, birds of prey, and carnivorous mammals. With numerous predators, the Eastern Hognose Snake has adapted unique responses to ward off potential threats. One of the most notable behaviors is 'playing dead' where the snake will roll over on its back pretending to be dead (seen in the picture below). Eastern Hognose Snakes will not intentionally bite people, however it is important to practice snake safety. Please be sure to keep a safe distance from snakes and please do not pursue or try to capture any snake.
Individuals can help protect snakes by being mindful of human impacts affecting their survival. Such impacts include habitat destruction, road mortality, and intentional killing of snakes. It is important to protect all snakes living in the southeast as they are vital components of the environment as both predators and prey. Snakes also serve as good indicators of the health of an ecosystem.
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