Originally posted by whakm
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What type of snake is this?
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Originally posted by dustoffer View PostGrew up in SE Missouri and we had hognoses around too. I think my mom and grandparents called them hoop snakes. The legend was that they would take their tail in their mouth and roll down a hill, then when they got to you, they'd let go of the tail and "sting" you with it. So, if you saw one, the best defense was to get up slope as they couldn't roll uphill. Also had "blue racers" which were common black snakes and the legend on them was that they would chase you if you got too close--
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Originally posted by texaset View PostThat would be a coach whip I think is what your Grandparents were talking about . Hog nose , Speadin Adder because of the way they spread out
I believe someone posted a photo of a coach whip on here not too long ago. That and the hog nose are interesting looking snakes. And although it is tough for me to say Good ones
Thanks for the post
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Originally posted by TX_Kevin View PostYep, hognose. I used to play with those. I got sent to the principal's office when I was in the 5th grade for pulling one of those out of the pocket of my ToughSkins to show a girl. I thought she'd like it, but instead she screamed quite loud-and long, and the teacher wasn't too happy either.
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Originally posted by dustoffer View PostHognoses are not poisonous--
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From the Florida Museum of Natural History
Scientific name "Heterodon Platirhinos"
Comments: HARMLESS (Non-Venemous).
Heterodon means "different tooth," which refers to the enlarged teeth on the rear of the upper jaw. These teeth inject a mild venom into its prey, and also serve to pop inflated toads like a balloon to enable swallowing. They use their blunt nose to search through leaf litter and soil for prey.
Adults mainly eat toads, but will sometimes eat other frogs, insects, and invertebrates. Juveniles eat small frogs and toads, insects, lizards, and small snakes.
It lays eggs. Breeding takes place in both the spring and fall. Males often follow the female around for several days prior to courtship and copulation. They lay between 4-61 whitish, thin shelled, leathery eggs 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) long. Eggs are deposited in a moist sandy, shallow hole, or under debris, and hatch in 39-65 days. Hatchlings are 6.5-9.5 inches (16-24 cm).
The Hognose Snake is renowned for its "death feigning" behavior. When threatened, it flattens its head and neck and hisses loudly. It may strike, but only with its mouth closed. If it is further harassed, it will flip on its back and convulse for a short period and may defecate and regurgitate its food. It will then remain motionless with its belly up, mouth open, and tongue hanging out. It may play dead for several minutes before cautiously turning over, looking around to see if it is safe before crawling away.
Flattening its head and hissing when it is frightened gave rise to two of the local names used for this snake. Florida crackers (native Floridians) call the banded form of the Hognose Snake a "Puff Adder" and correctly believe it to be harmless. However, the black form of the Hognose Snake is called a "Spreading Adder" and is wrongly believed to be deadly. Both color forms of the Eastern Hognose Snake are harmless to humans. However, humans that are allergic to its small amount of venom have been known to produce local swelling, but no human death has ever occurred.
Another old myth says that the Hognose Snake can mix venom with its breath and is thus able to kill a person from a distance of twenty-five feet. In truth, its breath is harmless.
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