When Snakes Play Dead

As part of an effort to inventory rare species of plants and animals in state parks, WPC's science staff is working with the Bureau of State Parks across western Pennsylvania. At Shawnee State Park, Bedford County, one of the targets of this investigation is the eastern hognose snake (Heterodon platyrhinos), which was recently discovered there and photographed. As its common and scientific names suggest (platyrhinos is Latin for "flat-nose") this snake has a hardened, up-turned, horn-like tip to its nose, which is apparently used for burrowing and perhaps seeking out its main food: toads.

The eastern hognose snake has a fascinating set of defensive behaviors. When approached it first flees, but if cornered or captured it flattens, fills with air, hisses, opens its large pink mouth and strikes repeatedly, yet without actually biting. If none of that works to chase off the threat, it acts much like an opposum. It begins to roll entirely over on its back and, while writhing in loops of its "dying" coils, it oozes defecation on itself. In final death-throes, it opens its mouth, extends its quivering tongue, and goes totally limp. This is all quite an act to witness!

And finally, this is no dumb snake. While playing dead if one takes the snake and rights it in the usual top up position, the hognose, knowing that a dead snake lays belly-up, will roll itself over to the dead position again.

Today's photos, by WPC Director of Natural Heritage Charles Bier, were taken two weeks ago.

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