Scientific Name : Heterodon platirhinos

Sex : Male and Female

Length : Male 2 ft, Female 3 Ft (Avg. 2 – 4 Feet – Females are longer)

Weight : Male Female 1 lb. (Avg. 1/2 – 1 lb. – Females are bigger)

Lifespan : Wild Caught in June 2000 in Northern Wisconsin, the female was adult size, the male a yearling. (Longevity 10 + years)

Breeding: Egg Layer, up to 30 young

Range: Southern New England south through Florida, west to central Texas, north to southeastern South Dakota, east to the Great Lakes region

Habitat : Widely adapted to terrestrial habitats from open pine or deciduous woodlands to old fields and meadows, prefer sandy, well- drained soil.

Food and Hunting : Largely diurnal, when not foraging or basking in the open, they remain underground. Excellent burrowers, their enlarged "nose" is perfect for digging in soft soils. Toads are the primary prey, but they also take frogs and salamanders. Rear fangs both deflate and inject a mild venom in prey.

Conservation : They have few natural predators and are best known for their exaggerated defensive display. An alarmed snake will raise its neck and head and flatten out to display a cobra-like hood. If the harassment continues or they are attacked, they will feign death, turning upside and hanging their tongue from the gaping mouth while emitting feces and foul secretions. Captive snakes will generally quit playing dead and become quite tame.

Captive Care : Their unusual diet makes them a moderately difficult captive. Some specimens can be switched to rodents using scenting techniques. Native to Georgia they cannot be kept in captivity except by special permit.