The eastern hognose snake
is a medium sized snake that often startles people the first time they
see one. However, this common snake is not poisonous and eats mostly
toads. The eastern hognose snake is heavy bodied. Each snake is a
bit different in color, ranging from yellow, gray, brown, olive and
black. Some are slate gray with dark blotches behind the eyes. Others
have dark brown blotches on the back. It makes a loud hissing when
harassed. The eastern hognose snake mates in the spring. Females
deposit 15 to 25 eggs in a depression under rocks or logs or in sandy
soil. Eggs deposited in June or July hatch in August and September.
Toads are the primary food of the eastern hognose snake. This snake
also feeds on frogs, salamanders and small mammals. It has large teeth
in the back of its mouths to puncture inflated toads to make them
easier to swallow.
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