Eastern hognose snake

Uncommon card · No. 148820

The eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos) is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The venom is specifically adapted to amphibian prey and is harmless to humans. However, some people may have an allergic reaction and as a result experience local swelling and other symptoms. The species is endemic to North America. No subspecies are recognized as being valid. This species prefers habitats with sandy soils and a combination of grass fields and forest edges. It occurs in many different colorations and has the identifiable upturned "snout". It can be found in captivity, but is a relatively difficult species to keep due to a specialized diet of toads. As with other Heterodon species, it has a distinctive threat reaction of first bluffing by striking with a closed mouth and then, if this fails to deter the threat, pretending to die.

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