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Western Hognose Snake
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Western Hognose Snake Description |
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The Western
Hognose is described as "the drama-queen of the
reptile world". Its best defense is its mimic act.
Its favorite imitations are those of the rattlesnake
and the cobra. The Western Hognose Snake is generally
docile and known to be peaceable and shy. When faced
with danger however, it is left with no choice but to
take action. It coils itself up, and like a Cobra, fans
out its head and neck. The Western Hognose Snake will
repeatedly stike, like a Rattlesnake, but not necessarily
in the direction of the danger. If this display does
not ward of the danger, the Western Hognose will dramatically
drop to the ground, stick its tongue out, writhe with
mouth open, roll over, and freeze into a role-play of
death. Even if you were to roll it over again, it will
immediately flop onto its back and play dead until it
feels danger is past. In captivity, the Western Hognose
will cease to act once it is used to your presence,
but the behavior is instinctual. The Western Hognose
Snake is a rear fanged, mildly venomous snake though
will rarely ever bite in defense. It has an upturned
nose that is used for burrowing and its body is thick
with keeled scales. Males have a significantly longer
tails than females. The Western Hognose is native to
the sandy savannahs and prairies of much of the south
and Midwestern United States as well as in northwest
Manitoba and southern Alberta. They are also occasionally
found in Northern Mexico. They are threatened by loss
of habitat. |
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