hognose snake
noun
hog·nose snake
ˈhȯg-ˌnōz- 
ˈhäg-
: any of a genus (Heterodon) of rather small harmless stout-bodied North American colubrid snakes with keeled scales and an upturned snout that seldom bite but hiss wildly and often play dead when disturbed
called also hog-nosed snake, puff adder
Examples of hognose snake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Other examples of death feigning critters include hognose snakes, the Virginia opossums, and brown widow spiders.
—
Harri Weber, Popular Science, 8 May 2024
A number of other species are benefiting from the growth of lupine and other plants in the area, including rare moths, butterflies, native bees, and reptiles such as the Eastern hognose snake and Eastern box turtle, officials said.
—Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, 6 July 2023
When All Else Fails, Play Dead The eastern hognose snake incorporates several strategies to avoid getting eaten.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2023
The eastern hognose snake is the Daniel Day-Lewis of Alabama snakes and will go to great lengths to deliver a performance that convinces predators not to eat it.
—Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 15 Aug. 2022
And though our crew had logged dozens of interesting finds, including an eastern hognose snake and a five-lined skink, the target species had yet to be seen.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2022
The good-guy snakes include but aren’t limited to the eastern hognose snake, Texas brown snake, Texas rat snake, rough green snake, garter snake, milk snake, bullsnake, kingsnake, indigo snake, black racer, water snake, blind snake and coachwhip.
—Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 8 June 2020
One harmless snake common in Texas is the eastern hognose snake.
—Rebecca Hennes, Houston Chronicle, 13 June 2019
Known for rolling on their backs and opening their mouths, the eastern hognose snake often plays dead to prevent predators from attacking.
—Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, 11 June 2019
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Harri Weber, Popular Science, 8 May 2024
A number of other species are benefiting from the growth of lupine and other plants in the area, including rare moths, butterflies, native bees, and reptiles such as the Eastern hognose snake and Eastern box turtle, officials said.
—Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, 6 July 2023
When All Else Fails, Play Dead The eastern hognose snake incorporates several strategies to avoid getting eaten.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2023
The eastern hognose snake is the Daniel Day-Lewis of Alabama snakes and will go to great lengths to deliver a performance that convinces predators not to eat it.
—Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 15 Aug. 2022
And though our crew had logged dozens of interesting finds, including an eastern hognose snake and a five-lined skink, the target species had yet to be seen.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2022
The good-guy snakes include but aren’t limited to the eastern hognose snake, Texas brown snake, Texas rat snake, rough green snake, garter snake, milk snake, bullsnake, kingsnake, indigo snake, black racer, water snake, blind snake and coachwhip.
—Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 8 June 2020
One harmless snake common in Texas is the eastern hognose snake.
—Rebecca Hennes, Houston Chronicle, 13 June 2019
Known for rolling on their backs and opening their mouths, the eastern hognose snake often plays dead to prevent predators from attacking.
—Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, 11 June 2019
Cite this Entry
“Hognose snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hognose%20snake. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hognose snake
noun
hog·nose snake
ˌhȯg-ˌnōz-
ˌhäg-
: any of several rather small harmless North American snakes that have stout bodies and hiss when disturbed
called also hog-nosed snake\ -ˌnōzd- \, puff adder
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