Eastern Hognose Snake, photo by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Of the approximately 2400 species of snakes in the world, Michigan has just 17. The State of Michigan’s page on the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) says (in part):
Description: A thick-bodied, slow-moving snake with a flattened, upturned “nose.” Color is variable some have dark spots and blotches on a yellow, orange, or brown background, but other specimens are solid black, brown, or olive with little or no visible pattern. Easily identified by defensive behavior (see below). Adult length: 20 to 40 inches.
Habitat and Habits: A snake of open, sandy woodlands – found in the wooded dunes of western Michigan. The upturned snout is used to burrow after toads, a favorite food. When threatened, hognose snakes puff up with air, flatten their necks and bodies, and hiss loudly. (This has led to local names like “puff adder” or “hissing viper.”) If this act is unsuccessful, they will writhe about, excrete a foul smelling musk, and then turn over with mouth agape and lie still, as though dead. Despite this intimidating behavior, Hog-nosed snakes are harmless to humans…
Range and Status: Though recorded from most of the Lower Peninsula and the southern tip of the Upper Peninsula, Hog-nosed Snakes are most common in the western and northern LP. Their numbers have declined in many places, in part due to persecution by humans who mistakenly believe they are dangerous.
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How about my dog. Harmless to her. 70lb lab.?
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Their bite (which they rarely use in defense) can knock out a toad, but anything above 5 pounds would be safe.
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Are they poisonous to dog or cats
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My dogs had somthing binned down on back patio. When I got there saw snake though it a rattlesnake. So got 5 gallon bucket lid and net. It was coiled up mouth open . Back dogs off but it turn and got away before I could get it. Looking it up I now think it was a hogsanke.
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you thank heart
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thank you bodas
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What the hell are you trying to do here by labeling a Hognose as a Puff Adder? Are you that ignorant? There is a snake called a puff adder but it lives on the African continent and is venomous. You are deliberately misleading people by including that name in anything.
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Hey Matthew I understand this is the internet where it’s become acceptable to stumble in and blast whatever happens to be in your head at whoever’s in your way, but step all the way back. The article is DIRECTLY from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and says:
When threatened, hognose snakes puff up with air, flatten their necks and bodies, and hiss loudly. (This has led to local names like “puff adder” or “hissing viper.”) If this act is unsuccessful, they will writhe about, excrete a foul smelling musk, and then turn over with mouth agape and lie still, as though dead. Despite this intimidating behavior, Hog-nosed snakes are harmless to humans….
The “local names” part is important because this is a blog for and about Michigan. Now don’t make me tell you how Michiganders pronounce Bois Blanc cause you’re not gonna like it.
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