Eastern Hognose Snake: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Snakes · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. Its rear fangs inject a mild venom aimed at amphibians, and toads are its favourite prey.
2. When threatened it hisses, then may roll onto its back with its tongue hanging out. One played dead for 45 minutes.
3. Females lay up to 40 eggs, about 25 on average. Some mothers guard the nest and young by hissing and chasing.
4. It spends the winter alone in a burrow at least 25 cm deep, dug by itself or borrowed from a mammal.
5. In the mating season, males track down females by following the scent trails the females leave behind.

The quiz

1. Which prey does the eastern hognose snake like best?

• Mice
• Toads (correct)
• Birds
• Spiders

It feeds mostly on amphibians and is especially fond of toads.

2. How long did one hognose snake play dead?

• 5 minutes
• 10 minutes
• 20 minutes
• 45 minutes (correct)

One snake played dead for 45 minutes before moving away.

3. About how many eggs are in most clutches?

• 25 (correct)
• 10
• 5
• 60

Most clutches hold about 25 eggs.

4. At least how deep does it burrow for winter?

• 5 cm
• 10 cm
• 25 cm (correct)
• 100 cm

Its winter burrow is at least 25 cm deep.

5. How do males find females?

• By calling loudly
• By following their scent trails (correct)
• By waiting at the nest
• By climbing trees to look

Males follow the scent trails that females leave as they move.

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