Orange and Black Snake
Posted by Marie Donahue on April 1, 2007
Q: I found a smake on our back porch this morning. It has a pattern of black, orange and tan shapes all over it. When the dog went near it the head went flat and wide. I have a picture of it if that would help. Can you tell me if this is dangerous to us or the dog?
Thanks.
Habitat: suburban/yard
State: North Carolina
Habitat: suburban/yard
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A: Your pictures really helped. Your snake is a harmless Eastern Hognose Snake ( Heterodon platirhinos). This is an especially interesting snake whose favorite food is toads. Most animals won't eat toads because they're able to secrete a noxious substance from their parotoid glands but this doesn't bother the Hognose at all. Hognose snakes get their name from their upturned nose. Hognose snakes will flatten and expand their head as you noted, although other snakes may do this as well, so it isn't always a sure identifying behavior.
Hognose snakes really are interesting animals and I can assure you that you and your pets have nothing to fear from this animal. Thanks for asking and I hope you get to see your snake again soon.
John Wiessinger ( April 1, 2007)