The hognose snake is a fascinating creature known for its upturned snout and impressive defensive displays. Among its ranks is the diminutive western hognose, considered the smallest hognose and among the smallest snakes in North America.
Measuring only 14-20 inches as adults, these tiny reptiles may be little but they have huge personalities packed inside.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The western hognose is considered the smallest species of hognose snake, averaging only 14-20 inches in length as an adult. It is one of the smallest snake species in North America.
Introducing the Western Hognose Snake
Physical Characteristics and Size
The Western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) is one of the smallest species of hognose snake, with adults reaching an average of 20-30 inches in length. They have a stout body with keeled dorsal scales that give them a rough texture.
Their color patterns vary wildly, with ground colors of tan, gray, olive, or orange, and darker blotches, spots, or bands across the body. One of their most distinguishing features is their upturned, pointed snout, specially adapted for burrowing in sandy soils to search for prey.
Despite their small size compared to other North American colubrids, western hognoses have a reputation for being feisty. When threatened, they may flatten their neck like a cobra, hiss loudly, and strike repeatedly.
If this threat display fails to deter predators, hognoses have a well-known trick up their (lack of) sleeves. They will flip onto their backs, mouth agape with tongue hanging limply to the side, and play dead.
This innate talent for deception is where their alternate common name of “puff adder” originates from.
Geographic Range and Habitat
Western hognose snakes are native to the prairies and sandy grasslands of the central United States and southwestern Canada. Their range stretches from southeastern Alberta and Saskatchewan down to western Texas and northern Mexico.
Within this range, they prefer areas with loose, sandy soils and sparse vegetation where they can easily burrow and find rodents, amphibians, lizards, and eggs to eat.
Habitat loss has caused western hognoses to decline in some areas, but overall their wide distribution has prevented major population impacts so far. Hognose snakes are popular exotic pets due to their small size and unique defensive behaviors.
Their varying color patterns have also spawned selective captive breeding for designer morphs like albinos, scales with stark white or orange borders, and entirely melanistic black individuals.
Unique Behaviors and Defensive Tactics
Playing Dead and Other Tricks
The eastern hognose snake is well-known for its dramatic “playing dead” behavior. When threatened, these small serpents will first flatten their necks to appear more cobra-like. If this posturing doesn’t deter the threat, the hognose will roll onto its back, open its mouth, loll out its tongue, and writhe around as if it were dying.
It’s an elaborate bluff to fool predators into thinking the snake has already met its demise. Though harmless, these little thespians sure put on a good show!
In addition to playing dead, hognose snakes may also strike repeatedly with their mouths closed, hiss loudly, deflate their bodies to appear slimmer, or exude a foul-smelling musk from their cloaca to deter predators.
These defensive tactics seem to work, as wild hognose snakes have few natural enemies. Their petite size at just 10-25 inches long likely also makes them less tempting prey compared to larger serpents.
Diet and Hunting
Despite their small stature, eastern hognose snakes have hearty appetites. Their diets consist mainly of amphibians such as frogs and toads. They will also eat small mammals, birds, lizards, and eggs when the opportunity arises. Baby hognose snakes start out feasting on tiny frogs and insects.
These opportunistic hunters use their slightly upturned snouts to literally root out prey from soil and leaf litter. Hognose snakes are not constrictors, instead relying on their toxic saliva to subdue victims.
They bite prey and then release it, tracking the scent until the toxins overcome the animal. Their rear-facing fangs allow hognose snakes to hang onto slippery amphibian meals. Talk about a unique hunting method!
While eastern hognose snakes prefer to dine on amphibians, they face an uncertain future as many frog and toad species experience population declines. This illustrates the interconnection of even small serpents like the hognose to the overall health of ecosystems they inhabit.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Mating and Egg Laying
The smallest hognose snake reaches sexual maturity at around 2-3 years old. Males will begin courting females as soon as they emerge from hibernation in early spring. The male will find a receptive female and begin a ritual mating dance, bobbing his head and rubbing her with his chin.
If she accepts, they will mate and stay coupled for several hours.
Approximately 30-60 days after mating, the female will lay a clutch of 3-12 eggs in a secluded, humid location underground or under cover objects like rocks or logs. She does not stay with the eggs, leaving them to incubate on their own for 60-80 days before hatching in late summer.
Hatchlings and Maturity
Baby western hognose snakes are independent from birth. They hatch out fully formed at 6-8 inches long and looking like tiny replicas of the adults. Their venom and refrigerator abilities are present but not very strong at first.
The hatchlings will immediately start hunting for small prey like insects and newborn mice. Their diet will expand as they grow over 2-3 years to reach adult size. Their venom and defense behaviors also strengthen during this juvenile phase.
These snakes are slow growing compared to other snake species. But with proper care in captivity, the smallest hognose can live over 20 years, reaching a max length around 18-24 inches.
Threats and Conservation
Habitat Loss
The western hognose snake’s small range in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah means habitat loss poses a major threat (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Development, energy extraction, roads, and livestock grazing have all contributed to the degradation and fragmentation of its fragile shrubland ecosystem.
In fact, an estimated 60% of the original habitat has already been lost.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect remaining habitat areas. In 2019, over 3,800 acres were permanently conserved through acquisition by conservation groups and designation as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern by the Bureau of Land Management (Center for Biological Diversity).
Predators
As a small snake that spends much of its time above ground, the western hognose is vulnerable to a wide variety of predators. Birds, mammals, and other snakes all feed on the tiny serpents. Increased habitat fragmentation raises predation rates by making it easier for predators to find them.
| Predators | Hawks, coyotes, foxes, badgers |
| Predation increase with fragmentation | Up to 91% higher (University of Colorado study) |
Conservation efforts that preserve habitat connectivity provide escape routes and hiding spots where hognose snakes can avoid predators more easily.
Protected Status
In response to declining populations, the western hognose was designated a candidate species under the Endangered Species Act in 2011. This confers no formal protections but recognizes it as at risk and under consideration for listing.
The snake would likely qualify for threatened or endangered status based on habitat loss, predation, climate change impacts, and small population size. Listing would mandate the development of a recovery plan and unlock additional funding for conservation actions.
Increased habitat protections and captive breeding programs may be needed to save this tiny snake with the bold patterns and feisty attitude.
Conclusion
The tiny western hognose may barely tip the scales, but it holds an outsized presence in the landscapes of North America. Its charismatic behaviors like playing possum give it loads of personality packed inside a small snake body.
Understanding the unique biology and ecology of the western hognose helps us protect these special creatures.
Weighing as little as a tube of toothpaste, the western hognose proves that sometimes the smallest packages carry the biggest surprises.
