Hognose snakes are known for their dramatic performances.
Specifically, the lengths they go to in order to persuade whatever has
frightened them that messing with them is a bad idea. They have several
variations:
First, they will shake their tail very hard so that it
rustles the leaves and might just make you think they are a rattlesnake. A lot of nonvenomous snakes do this
particular trick, actually.
They will pretend to strike, but instead of biting they just
head-butt you. If you saw a snake dart out at you and you felt something, you’d probably be fooled!
They will flatten out their neck and rear up like a cobra!
(This is the one from the Naturalist office here at Montauk State Park – Steve sometimes
takes it out and provokes it into doing this. I do not, as I have no confidence
in my ability to keep it from heading for the hills.)
Now it has curled up, hiding its head under its tail for
protection.
The most well-known trick is that they will play dead - but
it often turns into quite a production! The snake will pretend to go into
convulsions. “I’m sick! I’m sick! I’m dying! You wouldn’t want to eat me, not
when I’m so SICK!” The snake then eventually flips over on its back and sticks
its tongue out. It won’t move for quite a while, and even then it will peek to
make sure no one is around.
I remember once on a hike, we saw a hognose go into its
act – “I’m dying, I’m dying, I’m deeead…” and flip over on its back. One person
reached out and turned it right side up again. Immediately the actor protested
against this interference and insisted on flipping back over. “No, no, no, can’t
you see, I’m supposed to be DEAD!!!” Sadly,
I don’t have any pictures of this, but there are plenty of videos on youtube.
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