User:Cjlewis1204/Eastern hognose snake

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The eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos), is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Eastern North America. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. This species prefers habitats with sandy soils and a combination of grass fields and forest edges. They come in many different colorations and have the identifiable upturned "snout". They can be found in captivity but are a more difficult species to keep due to a specialized diet of toads.

Geographic Range

H.platirhinos have a wide geographical range from the central United States to the east coast. In the northern parts of their range they can be found in southern Ontario, southern New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Going west the snake can be found in Texas and Kansas. The southern part of their range then goes down into southern Florida.

Habitat

Studies have shown that H. platirhinos prefers upland sandy pine-forests, old-fields and forest edges. Like most of the genus Heterodon, the Eastern Hognose Snake prefers dry conditions with loose soil for burrowing purposes. These loose soils are preferable habitat components for nesting and egg laying. At the northern end of their range, they have been found to prefer developed lands as their desired habitat followed by mixed forests dominated by hemlock trees. Their habitats include southeastern and midwestern woodlands, tall-grassland prairies, and grassy or cultivated fields along woodland edges.

Description and Etymology

The generic name Heterodon is derived from the Greek words heteros meaning "different" and odon meaning "tooth". The specific name platirhinos is derived from the Greek words platysmeaning "broad or flat" and rhinos meaning "snout". The color pattern of this snake is varies among individuals. They can be red, green, orange, brown, gray to black, or any combination thereof depending on locality. Dorsally, they can be blotched, checkered, or patternless. The belly tends to be a solid gray, yellow, or cream-colored. In this species the underside of the tail is lighter than the belly. The upturned "snout" is a distinguishing feature used by the snake to dig in sandy soils. The average adult H. platirhinos measures 71 cm (28 in) in total length (including tail), with females being larger than males. The maximum recorded total length is 116 cm (46 in).

Behavior

The Eastern hognose is a diurnal species. It is typically most active during April-September after coming out of hibernation. Because there is such a wide range the snake is found there is variation in the population's climates which can cause the period of activity to change. In northern climates, hibernation comes earlier and begins late September-October whereas in southern climates, the snake might not retreat until November. There have been some recorded to still be active between December-February in Florida and along the Gulf Coast. If the temperature reaches or drops below 19 degrees Celsius, hibernation will begin for the snake. This hibernation period takes place alone in burrows either dug by the snake or already made mammal burrows. To burrow, a snake forces its head into the soil then moves its head back and forth. For hibernation, these burrows will reach depths of 25 centimeters or more.

Predators

There are many predators of the Eastern hognose snake. These include: tarantulas, other snakes, crows, red-tailed hawks, barred owls, raccoons, Virginia opossums, foxes, and humans.

Human Impacts

Humans cause pollution and pesticide poisoning, habitat destruction, vehicular deaths, and intentionally hunt the snake. Further studies have shown that other effects humans have on the mortality of H. platirhinos come from roads. Laura E. Robson and Gabriel Blouin-Demers conducted a study and found that the Eastern hognose snake avoids crossing paved roads, increasing the isolation of populations. The snakes will cross unpaved roads but face higher mortality from vehicle collisions.

Venom

H. platirhinos is a mildly venomous species that's effects aren't deadly to humans.Heterodon means "different tooth", which refers to the enlarged teeth at the rear of the upper jaw. The teeth inject a mild amphibian-specific venom into prey that comes from the snake's Duvernoy's gland. Bitten humans who are allergic to the saliva have been known to experience local swelling, burning, discoloration, and bleeding from the wounds, but no human deaths have been documented.

Captivity

The hognose snake is an intermediate level reptile to keep and lives between 10-15 years in captivity. Typically, mice and rats are used to feed most snakes in captivity. With hognose being a toad specialist species, it can be tricky to get them to eat frozen thawed mice. Scenting the food with toad or lizard is a trick used amongst hobbyists to entice the snake. Being a solitary species, snakes are kept individually unless it is for intentional breeding. Due to their burrowing nature, hognose snakes require suitable substrate depth to retain this natural instinct.

Reproduction

Eastern hognose snakes mate yearly in April and May. Both the male and female snakes are known to have multiple mates during this season. Occasionally, a second breeding period occurs around September and October. Rather than fertilizing a new egg clutch at this time, females will instead store sperm until the spring months for use. Males will follow the pheromone trails left behind by females on the move. Some females have been observed traveling past viable nesting conditions in order to reach communal nesting sites. Eggs might be lain in small soil depressions, mammal burrows, or under rocks depending on the region. They have an average nest temperature of 23-26 degrees Celsius incubating for an average of 49-63 days.The females, which lay 8–40 eggs (average about 25) in June or early July, do not take care of the eggs or young. The eggs, which measure about 33 mm × 23 mm (1+1⁄3 in × 1 in), hatch after about 60 days, from late July to September. The hatchlings are about 16.5–21 cm (6.5–8.3 in) long. Typically, males reach maturity at about 40 cm in length which can take up to 18-24 months. Females, however, reach maturity at about 45 cm in length, taking up to 21 months. Both of these measurements are in SVL or Snout-Vent Length.

***Plan to add images of the Eastern Hognose playing dead and a map of it's range***