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hognose snake

noun
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hog·​nose snake | \ ˈhȯg-ˌnōz- How to pronounce hognose snake (audio) , ˈhäg- \

Definition of hognose snake

: 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 When threatened, eastern hognose snakes often play dead by rolling onto their backs and opening their mouths. — Michelle Lou, CNN, "'Zombie snakes' in North Carolina are a lot less scary than they sound," 11 June 2019 One harmless snake common in Texas is the eastern hognose snake. — Rebecca Hennes, Houston Chronicle, "11 non-venomous snakes you want in your backyard," 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, "'Zombie snakes' are going viral. So why are they unique? And are they dangerous?," 11 June 2019 The hognose snake will feign death by opening its mouth, rolling over on its back, and writhing around. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "'Famous' North Carolina 'Zombie' Snake Species Likes to Play Dead Before Striking Repeatedly," 11 June 2019 The eastern hognose snake is famous for flipping over on its back and playing dead, the North Carolina State Parks and Recreation said. — Fox News, "‘Zombie snake’ found in North Carolina can 'play dead,' officials say," 11 June 2019 But giving them a run for the money will be the wildlife ambassadors that call the Science Center home: Ethel the opossum, Spooks the hognose snake, Sunny the yellow-bellied ball python and Mr. Six the three-toed box turtle. — Faye Reeder, star-telegram, "Cocktails, appetizers, s’mores, jazz, stargazing and wildlife at Night With Nature | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 25 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hognose snake.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of hognose snake

1737, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of hognose snake was in 1737

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Cite this Entry

“Hognose snake.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hognose%20snake. Accessed 19 January 2020.

More from Merriam-Webster on hognose snake

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with hognose snake

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hognose snake

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