Western hog-nosed snake
| Western hognose snake | |
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| Western hognose snake | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Xenodontinae |
| Genus: | Heterodon |
| Species: | H. nasicus |
| Binomial name | |
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Heterodon nasicus Baird & Girard, 1852 |
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The western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) is a species of non-venomous colubrid endemic to North America.
The subspecific name, gloydi, is in honor of American herpetologist Howard K. Gloyd (1902-1978). The subspecific (or specific) name, kennerlyi, is in honor of American naturalist Caleb Burwell Rowan Kennerly (1829-1861).
Common names for this species include western, texas or prairie hognose snake, blow snake, bluffer, faux viper, spoonbill snake, spreadhead snake, and Texas rooter.
Some authors elevate H. n. kennerlyi, also known as the Mexican hognose snake, to species level. Those same authors have subsumed H. n. gloydi into H. nasicus so that there are only 2 species (H. nasicus and H. kennerlyi) and no subspecies.
The western hognose snake occurs from southern Canada throughout the United States to northern Mexico. It frequents areas with sandy or gravelly soils, including prairies, river floodplains, scrub and grasslands, semi-deserts and some semiagricultural areas. It has been found at elevations of up to 2500 m.
Western hognose snakes are relatively small, stout-bodied snakes. Their color and pattern is highly variable between subspecies, although most specimens appear much like rattlesnakes to the untrained eye, which appears to be Batesian Mimicry. Males are considerably smaller than females, with adult lengths rarely exceeding 15–20 inches (38–51 cm). These snakes get their common name from the modified rostral (nose) scale that is formed in an upturned manner, providing a very "hog-like" look. Additionally, this adaptation makes these snakes adept burrowers.
The species is non-venomous, but possesses a potentially irritating saliva that may cause symptoms like negligible to localized slight swelling and itching. The extremely rare bite from this rear-fanged snake is not regarded as of medical importance to humans.
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Wikipedia