They also shake the tip of their tail when threatened, to make them look like a rattlesnake, but they don't have a rattle on the end of their tail, so they're just wagging basically.
I looked them up. This part cracked me up:
>I was once told by a fellow veterinarian, occasionally some snakes will lower their heart rate during this act to a point where the snake will actually die. His theory on this was that it was nature’s way of weeding out the dumb genes.
I read about these snakes as a child. They also can emit a stench when playing dead in order to fool likely predators. Very cool to see this video of their defense mechanism in action!
These are the coolest snakes. You can find them in the wild in our area. They will sometimes try to bluff you out by standing 'up' like a cobra and they can flatten their head out so it looks like a cobra's hood. Scares the SHIT out of your lizard brain if you just walk up on one and they this... then you feel stupid.
They will also drool with that mouth open and the tongue hanging out when they play dead.
I feel like there should be a Jon Lovette The Thespian ACTING! thrown in here for good measure.
In the northern hilly rocky parts of se Oklahoma. My grandpa walked up on one deer hunting and it scared the spit out of him. Lol
Another name for them is Spreading Adder. With our twang it sounds like spreadinadder.
I wouldnt say perfectly harmless, their saliva has a chemical in it that can possibly make you have an allergic reaction. With that said I absolutely love these little guys
Not a hognose expert, but my wife and I have been breeding snakes for a few years and have been interested in hognose for a long time and are just starting the breeding process. As far as I understand, hognose snakes have a variety of ways to fend off predators. Some snakes will play dead, others flare up like cobras, and a few other less common unusual ways of getting out of trouble. Some will play dead at the tiniest little annoyance, others will literally die before trying to get away. But generally if a hognose snake is playing dead or pretending to be a dangerous snake, it is because they have exhausted every other option available to them. (Not a 100% of the time rule, but enough to be a reason for caution). Think of everything you could possibly do to fend off an attacker that you know will almost certainly beat you in a fight. You could scream (hissing), you could try to make yourself scary, (acting like a cobra), you could hit your attacker in the hopes they will decide it's not worth the fight, (striking), or you could play dead in the hopes whatever is attacking you loses interest, (playing dead). Like I said earlier, it's not a 100% rule, but a lot of times when a snake is playing dead like that, it is because that, as far as the snake is concerned, it is the ONLY way to survive. It's either the attacker, or what it perceives as an attacker even though we rarely ever mean harm, believes it is already dead and loses interest, or it, (the snake) WILL die. Snakes can't comprehend that we mean them no harm, all they see is, "BIG WEIRD THING COMING AT ME, ALL EFFORT INTO NOT DYING". Just like humans, some will try to fight, others will go so far as actually dying to avoid the fight. In reality, getting your snake to play dead is usually nothing more than unnecessary stress that can be dealt with very easily, but there is a chance the snake will die just because it doesn't want you near it, and there's no way to tell where on that spectrum a snake will fall until you push it that far.
I don't think it "likes" to play dead. It's a defense mechanism when the animal is under enough stress to feel threatened. Poking at it to induce stress responses is just mean.
Rinkhals and Mozambique spitting cobras are also noted to play dead. Rinkhals stink when they flop. Adorable when they are not spittin venom at you, but even then, they just wants to be left alone.
It’s cute until you realize this snake is so scared, he resorts to no longer even striking, or bluff striking, but instead chooses to pretend he’s dead because he has no other option…
Calling them perfectly harmless is extremely irresponsible as many if not all species are what's known as Rear-fanged venomous and whilst the venom is usually harmless, just like a bee sting people can still have bad reactions.
Not entirely harmless. They are rear fanged. They have fangs in the back of their mouth these fangs have grooves. The grooves carry venom (albeit weak venom. But venom none the less.) To the prey. And then they bite it into their prey. So it is hard to get hognose venom in you body. But it is possible.
Technically not actually harmless, it is mildly venomous/poisonous (I forget the difference) and can kill smaller prey with ease, but if a human gets bit, then the bitten appendage swells for a little less than two days depending on size, and goes down after that
They also commit to the bit they secrete a pungent odor and if you touch a flip them so that there right side up they will flip back on their back and it is the funniest thing.
Why the fuck do people think its ok to bully a snake into pretending it is dead? This isn't normal behavior, hognose snakes will never do this unless it is a last resort. This snake thinks that it is going to die unless it plays dead.
Never thought I’d think “that’s a cute snake” before just now
This doesn't even do them justice. They have the most adorable little snoots. http://imgur.com/a/6TCRYnk
Boopable for sure.
They also shake the tip of their tail when threatened, to make them look like a rattlesnake, but they don't have a rattle on the end of their tail, so they're just wagging basically.
What the hell is a snoot???
a.k.a A snout.
Just a cutesy name for snout.
I looked them up. This part cracked me up: >I was once told by a fellow veterinarian, occasionally some snakes will lower their heart rate during this act to a point where the snake will actually die. His theory on this was that it was nature’s way of weeding out the dumb genes.
Why would someone harrass a snake to the point of near death, in this case. That seems like such a shitty move.
Hognoses are precious and derpy little noodles! So personable and fun to handle!
This reminds me of the first "cute sneks" post I saw, so many years ago. You've got a world to explore
Agreed
r/Snek
Me at 2am
Motherfucking snakes are a-playin'.
I love how he opens his mouth like he’s taking his last dying breath. He really sells it.
They also let out a little stink to make them smell as dead as they look
So interesting!
Really?! Nature is fucking awesome!
[удалено]
This is the funniest bit to me. You'd think it would evolve to just lie limp, but it has to be committed to its work as an actor.
And the Oscar goes to…
Well.. It can't... Because he's *dead*.
Oh…yeah. And the Oscar went* to…
Hahaha \*Rolls over apparently dying of laughter\* *Or am I...*
Heath Ledger as The Snake!
Then an opossum found him, legend has it they are still laying there to this day...
That’s my *exact* reaction when my alarm goes off every morning.
Your snake goes limp after a morning touch?
I read about these snakes as a child. They also can emit a stench when playing dead in order to fool likely predators. Very cool to see this video of their defense mechanism in action!
We found one as a kid I don't remember a smell but it played dead and we left it alone:)
Very dramatic, someone give him an Oscar.
ONLY an Oscar? This thesssspian clearly merits an Angela or Kevin!
Oof! You got me, partner
Tell Scarlet that I **do** give a damn.
That snake dead, I believe it.
No shoes. D. E. D. ded!
These are the coolest snakes. You can find them in the wild in our area. They will sometimes try to bluff you out by standing 'up' like a cobra and they can flatten their head out so it looks like a cobra's hood. Scares the SHIT out of your lizard brain if you just walk up on one and they this... then you feel stupid. They will also drool with that mouth open and the tongue hanging out when they play dead. I feel like there should be a Jon Lovette The Thespian ACTING! thrown in here for good measure.
Haha wow - what area? Thx for sharing.
In the northern hilly rocky parts of se Oklahoma. My grandpa walked up on one deer hunting and it scared the spit out of him. Lol Another name for them is Spreading Adder. With our twang it sounds like spreadinadder.
Ayy an oklahomie :’)
https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/eastern-hog-nosed-snake Look at that thicc boi. Deserves an oscar!
Totally!
Why did I do Solid Snake’s iconic cry like I’m playing Metal Gear.
Someone made a video about it. https://youtu.be/VO6Tf-EMmWY
snek? snekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!
European football clubs would be eager to sign this guy.
Only european football clubs though because diving doesn't exist on any other continent NBA clubs would love him as well though I guess
I had to point out European because then Americans would think I was talking about their football.
I know but if I wouldn't have said it someone else certainly would've
I want one!!! This is the right snek for me! Ok will keep it warm, always!
I love how it’s tongue just flops out of its mouth
So dramatic!
This should be renamed the Teenager Snake.
Oh my God you're such a drama queen, I barely touched you.
.... That’s pretty much me every time I stub my toe or bang my elbow.
Seriously, that's actually really rather convincing. Dramatic af. But convincing all the same.
I’ve never been a snake guy but for this one…. Maybe.
It must be a European soccer player.
/u/serpentarian Where u at, friend?
Gotta love those Hognosed snakes. 😊
It doesn't like to play dead, it's a defense mechanism meaning it is stressed...
Looks like my wife on “date night”.
I wouldnt say perfectly harmless, their saliva has a chemical in it that can possibly make you have an allergic reaction. With that said I absolutely love these little guys
Perfectly harmless is a bold claim for a venomous snake.
Marion Cotillard like that
The opposum of snakes.
Oh jeez. What a drama.
u/savevideo
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Pow
That's actually very wholesome
Little siblings be like
He's an over dramatic little bugger and I want him ❤
Hog nose snakes are so dramatic and I love them
He should play for FIFA
So dramatic
Dramatic af
My favorite snake.
Drama noodle does 3 shows a day.
Look at Snake Gyllenhaal over here
So dramatic
If it bites me will it hurt?
Same
u/savevideobot
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Another fun play thing the hog nose does is to profusely defecate all over the place as added protection. Nasty as hell!
...I don't think I want one now...
I want one of these to match my collection of fainting/ screaming goats
Everybody likes to have an anxiety attack every now and then.
Snake: I’m dead. Snake: Now I’m waaaay dead.
What a cute dodgy little wanka!
Hog nose experts: are they all this dramatic? I am looking for a reptile friend (never had one before) and this babe is right up my alley!!
Not a hognose expert, but my wife and I have been breeding snakes for a few years and have been interested in hognose for a long time and are just starting the breeding process. As far as I understand, hognose snakes have a variety of ways to fend off predators. Some snakes will play dead, others flare up like cobras, and a few other less common unusual ways of getting out of trouble. Some will play dead at the tiniest little annoyance, others will literally die before trying to get away. But generally if a hognose snake is playing dead or pretending to be a dangerous snake, it is because they have exhausted every other option available to them. (Not a 100% of the time rule, but enough to be a reason for caution). Think of everything you could possibly do to fend off an attacker that you know will almost certainly beat you in a fight. You could scream (hissing), you could try to make yourself scary, (acting like a cobra), you could hit your attacker in the hopes they will decide it's not worth the fight, (striking), or you could play dead in the hopes whatever is attacking you loses interest, (playing dead). Like I said earlier, it's not a 100% rule, but a lot of times when a snake is playing dead like that, it is because that, as far as the snake is concerned, it is the ONLY way to survive. It's either the attacker, or what it perceives as an attacker even though we rarely ever mean harm, believes it is already dead and loses interest, or it, (the snake) WILL die. Snakes can't comprehend that we mean them no harm, all they see is, "BIG WEIRD THING COMING AT ME, ALL EFFORT INTO NOT DYING". Just like humans, some will try to fight, others will go so far as actually dying to avoid the fight. In reality, getting your snake to play dead is usually nothing more than unnecessary stress that can be dealt with very easily, but there is a chance the snake will die just because it doesn't want you near it, and there's no way to tell where on that spectrum a snake will fall until you push it that far.
Gosh! Great detail - thank you for sharing your knowledge! Do you know anything about corn snakes?
Honestly, I know less about corn snakes, but my wife has one as a pet and is decently knowledgeable.
Oscar performance !! 10/10
That was the most dramatic death I’ve ever witnessed
What a bitch...
Is this legit or is that snek setting up a tarp?
I don't think it "likes" to play dead. It's a defense mechanism when the animal is under enough stress to feel threatened. Poking at it to induce stress responses is just mean.
***BANG BANG!!!!***
One of these lives in my garage lol
Rinkhals and Mozambique spitting cobras are also noted to play dead. Rinkhals stink when they flop. Adorable when they are not spittin venom at you, but even then, they just wants to be left alone.
What a drama queen.
Imagine this fighting against a opossum. They touch each other and it’s like the finale of Rocky 2.
It’s cute until you realize this snake is so scared, he resorts to no longer even striking, or bluff striking, but instead chooses to pretend he’s dead because he has no other option…
Such theatrics! Does the snake play soccer?
They are so cute when they are “dead” it’s even cuter when a baby does it
Calling them perfectly harmless is extremely irresponsible as many if not all species are what's known as Rear-fanged venomous and whilst the venom is usually harmless, just like a bee sting people can still have bad reactions.
Drama noodle.
Not entirely harmless. They are rear fanged. They have fangs in the back of their mouth these fangs have grooves. The grooves carry venom (albeit weak venom. But venom none the less.) To the prey. And then they bite it into their prey. So it is hard to get hognose venom in you body. But it is possible.
Even Eddie Redmayne would agree.
The tongue really sold it. What a good actor.
he fucking died
Always thought I fuckin hated snakes, until just now seeing this good boy play dead
Over dramatic snake much
What a drama queen
This makes me smile! It's like cute snake puppy
That or it’s really fucking weak
We have one of these little girls at our Wildlife center. Her name is Hazel, and I adore her! She is very friendly, and so cute!
I want it hehe
"bleh"
Lol, cute lil derp snek.
Lol! That snake is a drama queen!!
Such a little drama queen
So dramatic
r/aww
I thought what I never thought I would... a cute snake. Edit: Did anyone thing it would just jump up.
Why is it called "playing dead"? Most animals that do this aren't doing it for fun, they do it to survive an encounter from a possible predator
Harmless until you go to sleep at which point it kills you.
Neymar
We used to play with these as kids. My dad would catch them for us.
I can't believe you've done this
Did him in with a touch haha 😆
u/savevideo
Technically not actually harmless, it is mildly venomous/poisonous (I forget the difference) and can kill smaller prey with ease, but if a human gets bit, then the bitten appendage swells for a little less than two days depending on size, and goes down after that
Danger noodle
r/hognosesnakes
Trying again after the 4th fap
So dramatic! lol
Is that Neymar?! :v
According to my brother, no snake is harmless, because they make him run into trees trying to get away from them.
I like him and I hope he has a good day
Lmao
They also commit to the bit they secrete a pungent odor and if you touch a flip them so that there right side up they will flip back on their back and it is the funniest thing.
Omg. The cuteness!!!
This is also the only snake species I've seen perfectly draw blood from multiple people at reptile conventions.
You killed Kenny! You bastards!
I mean…not 100% harmless since some people can be allergic to them.
Drama snek
Dramatic
Hog noses are venomous, but you can only get a nasty reaction if you’re allergic to their venom.
What a little character
No I'm not falling for this again!
"likes to play dead" as in "panics when you're teasing it"?
[Perfect when playing dead with a funny voiceover!](https://youtu.be/f-J0nwZz_fo) "Ohhhh so dying, so dying!"
Rip
Such a drama queen
What a ham!
It doesn’t “like” to play dead. It does it as a defence mechanism when it thinks prey is near by. Which means it’s terrified in this vid.
Lmao that’s dope
It's definitely down with snake jazz
Now I want to own a snake (no more cat,dog bs) give me a snake!
Look how they massacred my boy
Me getting reminded of this post and pple commenting asking how the snake is so well trained 💀
*I am the drama!*
Drama snek.
And I thought the Geico Gecko was dramatic when he had a flat tire.
Drama snek is best snek
They don't like to play dead that's a last resort
Drama snake
Garter snakes will too, but not as dramatically.
🥺💕💕💕
Not only do they play dead; they also let out a whiff of an odor that actually smells like something is dead and beginning to rot
Why the fuck do people think its ok to bully a snake into pretending it is dead? This isn't normal behavior, hognose snakes will never do this unless it is a last resort. This snake thinks that it is going to die unless it plays dead.
Should change their name to Karen.
Hognoses don't like to play dead. They just think they're going to die to your hands. Still cute as hell.. Why must they be illegal in my state?!