I was heading home one afternoon and with less than half a mile from my house, I saw a snake in the middle of the road. It was dark colored and appeared to be uninjured by traffic. I stopped the car to prepare to move it safely off the road. 

At first glance, I thought it to be a larger watersnake. Watersnakes, especially the larger ones, can develop a dark phase that can obscure the banding pattern of this species. When I got close enough to see the head, however, that’s when my assessment changed. When the snake saw me, its head got flatter and wider, like a cobra displaying its hood. It then hissed at me. The snout of the snake had a turned-up appearance; this trait inspired the species name: the hog-nosed snake.

The eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos) is a medium-sized snake averaging just under a yard in length. Lighter colored individuals have dark tan or brown squarish markings on the dorsal ridge with smaller, darker markings along each side. The smaller markings reside within lighter bands. These markings can resemble a crude checkerboard if the snake is mostly hidden. 

Hog-nosed snakes are known for their taste for toads. While other snake species will avoid American toads due to the toxin secreted, hog-nosed snakes will prey on toads. They also take other amphibians and even small mammals. 

The species has larger teeth near the rear of their jaws; American toads can inflate themselves as a defense mechanism, and these larger teeth are used to deflate toads as they are swallowed. A mild venom is also contained in glands at the base of these teeth, but only toads are affected; the venom is harmless to humans, though allergic reactions have been known to occur.

The notable trait of the eastern hog-nosed snake is its acting ability. If a person or predator gets too close, it will first flatten its head and may try some bluff strikes. Most of these strikes are with a closed mouth. It may emit a hissing sound, which could be mistaken for a rattlesnake “buzz.” If these methods don’t work to deter the predator, the snake might roll on its back and play dead, frequently emitting a foul-smelling “musk” out of its anal vent as it attempts to portray itself as a very undesirable meal. Many snakes emit musk when handled or rattle their tails in dry leaves to imitate a rattlesnake, but none have the repertoire of acting tricks that the hog-nosed snake has in the presence of a perceived threat.

The eastern hog-nosed snake is listed as a species of special concern in NY and PA, and it is best to leave them alone. If you find one in the middle of the road, you can use a stick to nudge it off the road; you will likely be witness to a master acting performance as you get this star performer off to safety.