Identification: 15-42 in. Pointed and upturned snout; body may be tan or brown with rows of black spots down the back and sides. Some individuals are totally black; the tip of the tail on the underside is lighter than the belly, scales keeled.
Habits: Hog-nosed snakes like dry upland wooded areas and open country. These are the most theatrical of our snakes. They rarely bite, but instead have several defensive or threat display behaviors to scare off would be attackers. When first encountered, this snake will flatten and spread its' neck "cobra" fashion. It will then hiss loudly and strike, although this strike is all bark and no bite. If the intruder has not fled by this time, the hog-nosed snake will roll over onto its back, open its mouth, writhe a few minutes and then lie still, "playing dead." After a few minutes the hog-nose will roll back over onto its belly and slither off into safety.
Distribution: Throughout Louisiana except swampland and marsh areas.
