Heterodon platirhinos
This is a specific care sheet for Eastern Hognose Snakes (Heterodon platirhinos), for more in this genus see Category:Heterodon.
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H. platirhinos is most commonly referred to as the Eastern Hognose Snake. They are found in the woodlands, meadows, fields, scrubs and sand hills of the eastern United States and southern Canadian states. These snakes are completely harmless to humans and are well-known for their 'play-dead' defence measure. Threatened it will produce a loud hiss and may strike, but don't worry this strike is more of a headbutt than a precision bite, Eastern hognoses keep their mouths shut when striking defensively. Further agitation will persuade the snake to adopt it's 'play-dead' routine, doing so by rolling onto it's back and continuing then to convulse and defecate, eventually lying their completely still until a time when the threat has passed.
The Eastern Hognose snake also has many other names, the Puff Adder, Hissing Adder, Spreading Adder, Blow Viper and the Hissing Sand Snake. Whichever name you hear, so long as the specimen is in fact H. platirhinosthen they are all completely harmless to humans despite many myths surrounding the species.
Pet Reptile (Heterodon platirhinos) Care Information | |
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nb. All of these can be purchased from an online pet store | |
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[edit] Description
Adult Eastern Hognose snakes will reach anywhere between 50-85cm (20-33 inches) in length. As with most Hognose snakes the Plains is a heavy-bodied snake with a stocky, strong neck and the signature turned-up blunt snout. Eastern Hognoses have a wide range of colourations, from tan yellows to a solid black configuration.
[edit] Choosing your snake
Health checks for any snake:
- Firm rounded body.
- Clear eyes (may be a little cloudy if about to shed). There should be no sign of discharge.
- No evidence of mites - check especially around the head and eyes, check for faint specks on body and check your hands after handling the snake
- The snake should not have to open its mouth to breathe and should not appear as if it is gasping for breath.
- The inside of the mouth should be a uniform pink - reddened areas or cheesy looking matter may indicate mouth rot.
- Shiny smooth skin with no scabs or sores.
- Clean vent with no swelling in area
- Should move smoothly with no tremors
If you are unsure about the health of a snake, you can ask the vendor for a demonstration feeding, usually on pre-killed mice. If your new snake appears distressed or overly active, be patient but not ignorant, snakes will be agitated while they settle in to their new environments but if the problem persists it may be necessary to seek veterinary advice.
[edit] Feeding
In their natural habitat, the Eastern Hognose feeds mainly on toads, frogs, insects and invertebrates, juveniles eat small frogs and toads, insects, lizards, and small snakes.
[edit] Snake Bites
There are generally two types of bites: a strike and a feeding bite.
A strike is a warning that you have exceeded the bounds of what the snake will tolerate. It will shoot out, mouth open, then retract just as quickly, leaving you with a series of teeth marks.
A feeding bite is just that: they think they have prey, and are not going to let go; the more you move around, the more they try to 'kill' your hand. The easiest and fastest way to disengage a snake's mouth from your body is with grain (not rubbing) alcohol; in a school setting, you can use Listerine or, if none is available, isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. The latter can be toxic, so you must make sure that the snake's mouth is not flooded with it. Always tilt the snake's head downwards so that the fluid does not run up into its nose; from there it can get into its respiratory tract, causing infections. Compressed air can also be an effective way to coax a snake into releasing their bite. A quick burst or two into the mouth (not the nose or eyes) should do the trick, but long sprays must be avoided as they can cause frost bite both to the snake's mouth and to the person's skin.
Wash bites thoroughly with soap and water. Apply povidone-iodine (Betadine) or hydrogen peroxide, and let dry. Then apply a topical broad spectrum antibiotic ointment. Do not bandage. It should be noted that a snake will always signal when it is going to strike or bite; you just need to learn new body language. Once you see the snake stiffen and slowly retract, head held slightly above the ground or body, be alert and ready to move.
[edit] Breeding
The breeding season takes place in both the spring and the autumn/fall. Males will follow the female around for several days before they attempt to mate. They lay between 4-60 pale, thin shelled, leathery eggs 3.2 cm (1.25 inches) long. Eggs are laid in a moist sandy, shallow hole, or under debris, and will hatch in 39-65 days depending on important factors such as temperature and humidity. Hatchlings are usually 16-24 cm(6.5-9.5 inches) long.
