Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

• Length: 30″-46″
• Weight: 2-4 pounds
• Diet: Carnivorous, eating birds, rodents, and small animals.
• Breeding: Starts in March through May.
• Gestation: 30-60 Days.
• Reproduction: 15-60 eggs, hatchlings appearing starting in late Summer.
• Habitat: Urban areas with the availability of food water and shelter, tree hollows, drainage ditches, under sheds, and dense green spaces.
• Legal Status: Common throughout North Carolina, and under no protection. It is illegal to harm, capture, or remove from the wild. Protected in Georgia.
• Other Names: Puff adder, hissing snake, and spread-head moccasin.
• Interesting Facts: The eastern hog-nosed snake is common in North Carolina and well known for its dramatic behavior. They will play dead, often rolling over. To thwart a perceived threat, they will hiss loudly while flattening out its head to appear much larger, often defecating and releasing a foul smelling musk from their anal gland.

The eastern hog-nosed snake, often referred to as the “puff adder” from its dramatic behavior, is a common snake found in North Carolina. They are often mistaken for venomous snakes. The largest threat this snake will cause, is the injury you may receive if you trip while running away.

As a defense mechanism, the eastern hog-nosed snake will play dead, or roll over, defecating and releasing a foul smelling fluid from its anal gland. They will also flatten out their head and hiss loudly to detour a perceived threat. They can grow large, as we have found them up to 4′ ft in length. They are found throughout the entire State of North Carolina. Eastern hog-nosed snakes will strike if heavily agitated, so it is best to keep your distance. Eastern hog-nosed snakes will often feed on rodents, birds, amphibians, and other small mammals and can live up to 12 years in the wild.