This is some of the craziest stuff I’ve ever seen.
The wild always seems to have something new and amazing in store everywhere you look.
These creatures are out doing anything they can to survive and it is just amazing to see.
The eastern hognose snake is a non-venomous snake native to eastern North America. It is a relatively large snake, reaching lengths of up to six feet in some cases. They have a distinct appearance, with a pattern of dark brown or black blotches that run down their body, bordered by lighter colored scales. Their bellies are usually light in color, with gray or tan scales.
Eastern hognose snakes are also known for their distinct head shape. They have a triangular head that is wider than their neck, which makes them look more menacing than other snake species. It can look like a highly-venomous cobra to the untrained eye.
But, the craziest part about the eastern hognose snake is its ability to play dead when threatened. This is a defense mechanism that the snake uses when it feels in danger by a predator. When the snake feels threatened it will first puff up its body, hiss, and strike out with its mouth open. If this does not deter the predator, the snake will then flip onto its back, open its mouth and let go terrible smelling odors and fluids. The whole act is to deter predators from bothering them.
The hog snake has its mouth open wide as it begins to flail around. It gets more dramatic and the snake flips onto its back slithering all over the place before finally slowing down to finish off the dying act.
This video posted by Georgia DNR shows the whole thing in full force and explains a little more about what’s going on:
“Nope, not a cobra. In fact, it’s not even a venomous snake! It’s actually just a native eastern hognose putting on the theatrical performance of its life.
When this creepy critter feels threatened, it flares its neck and body by breathing in deeply and then expelling the air with an impressive hiss. If that doesn’t work, a hognose will forcefully roll onto its back and begin to writhe violently as if in terrible pain.
During this ‘death performance,’ the snake may also evert its cloacal vent, regurgitate its stomach contents, defecate, release musk and even bleed from its mouth. Talk about dedication.
Afterwards, the snake will appear lifeless and limp, confident that all potential predators have decided on a different main course. What do y’all think… does the hognose deserve an academy award?
This performance deserves an award… that was dedication.”
Nature is crazy.
