Reptile & Amphibian Forums

On May 7th I was at the Marine Science Consortium on Wallops Isand, VA with 17 high school students who are members of the Independence (OH) High School Biology Society. While the focus of the program was the ocean ecosysyem, part of the program involved hiking through a Maritime Forest. I had been to the same trail twice before, in 2003 and 2004 and always thought it was the ideal hognose snake habitat (even though I've never found one in the wild). The area is sandy and there are plenty of toads around (the hognose's main food item). On previous trips the weather was unseasonably cold, this year the temperature was in the high 60's.

Our instructor from the Consortium, Matt Hess, teaching the students about one of the trees.

There were so many Fowler's Toads hopping around, sometimes an effort had to be made not to step on them.

Then one of the students said "snake" and pointed to the underbrush beneath a tree a few feet from the trail.

Here's a close-up of the snake's head. Although it didn't hood, it hissed and made some half-hearted strikes.

Then it did this. What was nice was that I got to explain to the students the snake's defensive behavior before approaching it. What was even nicer was getting to experience a hognose's elaborate acting ability for the first time, in the company of biology students.

Here's a picture of me holding the snake with two students. The kids were quite amused with the snake rolling over on it's back every time it was placed on its belly. The snake was a male, about 26 inches in length.

You'd think one hognose would be enough excitement for one day, but 15 minutes later we came across an even larger one (this example was a female). She was crossing the trail in front of us and did a hood display before moving on to the "playing dead" routine.

The tendency for these snakes to gape allowed me to show the students the enlarged teeth they have which are used to puncture toads that inflate themselves with air to avoid being swallowed.

It was awesome to experience this "lifer" in the field!

Tim
Third Eye

What a great way to get the points of conservation across! I can't think of a better animal to grab the attention of possible future herpers, they probably stole the show, great pics Tim!
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Todd Hughes

Nice post. I really like the natural lighting and the color combinations that show their camoflouge amongst the leaves.

Awesome stuff Tim!,...and well put together.

Man!,...you've heard the term "Hog Heaven" before,....that place certainly is quite literally with all those dang toads for them to munch on,...geeesh!...LOL!

Again, good compilation there!.

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Awesome Pics!! I already found 3 eastern hognoses this year on Long Island and just took some pics and let them go on there way. Still havent found any eastern Milks or smooth greensnakes this year yet. but did find one spadefoot and too many to count fowlers toads,lol Great Find really cool! Dave

Definitely nice finds... that hadda make your day. I found a Hognose on Long Island last week, along with several Decays, Garters and lots and lots of Wall Lizards. (I only kept a few of the Wall Lizards for my terrarium... interesting animals). The Heterodon was the top find though... don't see 'em very often anymore (used to find them more than Garters years ago). This is the time of year to find them. I'm hoping to happen across a few more before it gets too hot. Thanks for the pics... I have to start taking my camera!

Great post Tim, I'm glad I stumbled upon it!

I am yet to see one upclose in the wild but I have seen 2 that got away one me (while working outside) .. I hope to see one up close like that this summer!
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Jon Wedow
Sharp Dressed Snakes