Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Saw this beautiful snake while hiking in Maryland. I love snakes and was obsessed with them as a kid, but have no idea what species this snake is. The picture doesn't do the snake justice; it was orange/red and black.

Thanks for any help, as it's driving me nuts not know what it is!

Sorry, pic didn't show up.
Link

Wow!,....

That's a VERY exceptional looking Eastern Hognose(Heterodon platirhinos).

Most of the Hognose throughout their huge range are nowhere near as defined and colorful as that one either. They come in a plethora of natural variations as well, even solid black in some areas of the country.

That is indeed a real beauty of a Hognose!

~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thanks so much for the identification. I never knew Hognose Snakes came in such colorful combinations with black heads. I couldn't see the telltale "hognose" at a distance, but your ID had me zoom in on the pic and I think I can see it now.

You're very welcome!,....

The up-turned noses on the Eastern's aren't quite as pronounced as some of the other Hog subspecies, but that is definitely what it is, and a gorgeous one at that to say the least.

regards, ~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

I agree with Doug,that is an eastern hog and a really nice one at that!Somes folks call that look the "halloween phase".
Jeff

I've been looking at this forum for nearly 3 years and have never once felt compelled to comment on a snake... but I wholeheartedly agree with Doug... WOW... that beauty is a cut above.

Gerry

Thanks for the compliments on behalf of my scaly aquaintance. I've spent the last 42 years walking all over the world looking at snakes. It's ironic that the one snake I consider the prettiest and couln't identify was less than a mile from my house.

Halloween phase Eastern, my favorite hognose! The easterns are known for being harder to feed mice. But a little known trick is to feed them raw beef. Loaded with a calicum pill of course. In the wild they eat toads, but will also take carrion, I had one that lived ten years on that diet. The smell of blood drives them crazy.

Thanks for the interesting info about Hognoses. There's an abundance of toads in the area;I guess it's hognose heaven here. I'm learning a lot on this site. I didn't know snakes ate carrion.

Yeah, lots of different types of snakes are found from time to time trying to eat dead prey by roads, etc..

Some male snakes have also been found before in the middle of the road attempting to breed with a very smashed road-kill female snake too.

You have to keep in mind, if the scent smells right to a snake's little brain, it tells them that is indeed what it is.......live OR dead..LOL!

~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Almost as nice (I'm partial LOL) to one I had. I'd give my left n*t for another one like it.
-----
1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old
Help me find this snake!

That is an absolutely gorgeous Eastern gem as well!!

regards, ~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com