Western Hognose Fact Sheet

Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Heterodon
Species: nasicus
Life span:

10-20 years

Egg Gestation:

Females will lay 4-20 eggs and hatch after about 50-65 days

Number of young at birth: 4-20
Age of maturity: 2 years
Size:

1-3 ft

Weight:

0.5 lbs

Size at birth:  5-9 in

 

 

Facts:

  • Found in open prairies, meadows, and flood plains of central North America from Southern Canada down to northern Mexico.
  • Eat frogs, toads, salamanders, rodents, lizards, other small snakes and eggs
  • Hognose snakes get their name from the upturned scale at the end of their snout which they use to dig in loose sand and soil.
  • Mimic a rattlesnake for protection
  • Flop around in an elaborate display of dying to fake out predators. They will stick out their tongue and flip on their backs until the threat has passed.