Eastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platirhinos · Also known as: hognose, puff adder
Upturned “hog” nose and dramatic bluff displays. NPS notes hognose prefer beaches, dunes, and grassy areas and are often mistaken for copperheads.
Quick facts
| Group | Snake |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Habitats | Ocean beach, Dunes, Assateague State Park, Assateague National Seashore |
| Seasons (this coast) | spring, summer, fall |
How to recognize them
- Stocky snake with an upturned snout; color variable (brown, gray, olive, patterned).
- When threatened: flattens neck, hisses, then may roll over and play dead.
Biology notes
- Specializes on toads and other amphibians; digs in sandy soils.
- Harmless to people despite the bluff show.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Assateague dunes and grassy beach approaches.
- Sandy mainland edges near the coast.
When to look
- Warm season; most encounters are brief trail crossings.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- If it “dies,” leave it—continue walking and it will recover.
- Not a copperhead; Assateague has no venomous snake species established.
