The Greater Georgian Bay Reptile Awareness Program

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake	Wood Turtle	Five-lined Skink
Eastern Fox Snake	Spotted Turtle
Eastern Hognose Snake	Blanding's Turtle

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) COSEWIC Status-Special Concern OMNR-Vulnerable Description: A moderate-sized snake, 50-84 cm with a thick body and a short tail. The head is wide with a distinct up-turned snout. The eastern hognose has two colour phases; some have irregular dark blotches down the back, alternating with dark spots on the sides. The background colour is mottled grey, brown, tan or yellow. Other hognose lack the markings on the back and are solid grey, brown, olive or occasionally black.
Long dark neck blotches are visible on most hognose snakes. The belly can be yellowish or grey and mottled with a darker colour. The chin and throat are usually lighter than the belly. Young hognose snakes have dark blotches on their backs and grey or brown spots on their sides. The belly of the hatchling is dark grey or black but the throat and under the tail is white or yellowish. Hatchling length ranges from 12.5 cm to 25.4 cm
With permission of the Royal Ontario Museum © ROM Note: These maps show the approximate range of these species.	Habitat: A variety of habitats from open pine or mixed forests to old fields, meadow and pastures. Generally found near water with a preference for sandy, well-drained soils.

Habits: October to April is spent hibernating in a deep burrow or under rotted stumps. Their food includes amphibians, reptile eggs, small mammals, birds and insects, with toads being their most common prey.

Mating in May to early June, the hognose lays an average of 35 eggs in June or July. The eggs are laid in a shallow burrow (10 to 20 cm) in the soil or under a log or rock and hatch in late August or September.

The hognose's defensive behaviour is a good identifying characteristic. When threatened, the hognose will raise its head and neck off the ground and flatten its head and neck to form a cobra-like hood. The dark neck patches become noticeable and may mimic large eyes to a predator. The snake will hiss and may strike with its mouth closed. If the snake continues to feel threatened it may play dead by turning upside down with its mouth open. If turned right side up it will quickly turn back over. When no longer threatened, the snake will eventually flip over and retreat.