Wednesday, April 16th
April's meeting will focus on how to safely handle and present your reptile to the public. Please feel free to bring your own animal to show off.
Meetings start promptly at 8pm in the Alumni Room of Medaille College.
Annual Banquet
PLEASE NOTE: The annual banquet and recognition dinner will be rescheduled due to conflicts. The new date will likely be a Saturday in May, please contact a board member for more information.
Eastern Hognose Snake
(Heterodon platirhinos)
The Eastern Hognose Snake is 20- 46 inches in length. This snake is heavy-bodied with a thick neck and an upturned nose which gives it its name. The color and pattern is extremely variable. Colors of yellow, tan, brown, gray and red have all been observed. All posses dark square and round blotches on the back. The belly is light in color and mottled. The bottom of the tail is often lighter in color than the belly.
Generally this snake mates in the spring and fall. From June to July they will lay 4 - 61 eggs in a shallow depression or in loose sandy soil. The eggs are elongated and have a thin shell. The eggs hatch in 39 - 65 days with young that are 6 - 9 inches in length.
The Eastern Hognose prefers open areas with sandy soil. If disturbed it will "hood" it's neck, inflates it's body and hisses loudly. It will often strike as well. If predators are not frightened off it will roll on its back and play dead with its mouth open and tongue hanging out. It will continue playing dead even if it is picked up. It will roll over onto its back again if placed on its belly.
This snake posses enlarged teeth on the rear upper jaw which injects a very mild venom into their prey of frogs and toads. It rarely bites and envenomates people however.
Remember that in many places it is illegal to take wildlife out of the wild without the proper permits from local, state, or federal authorities. Please do not release any captive reptiles or amphibians into the wild as this will disrupt the natural order of our environment. See our amphibian and reptile adoptions page for more information on what to do with unwanted herps.
Help reptiles in need by donating to our Adoption Fund! Your donations will help feed and house reptiles waiting for adoption.