Dipsadidae
Southern Hog-nosed Snake
Heterodon simus
A closer look
Southern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon simus) is native to 6 U.S. jurisdictions, including Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. This upturned-snouted burrower known for dramatic defensive displays is most often associated with sandy fields, prairie, open woodland, dunes, and loose soil and typically feeds on toads, frogs, salamanders, and other small prey.
- Habitat
- Sandy fields, prairie, open woodland, dunes, and loose soil
- On the menu
- Toads, frogs, salamanders, and other small prey
- Behavior
- A mostly secretive ground hunter that spends much of its time under cover.
Not considered venomous to people. Observe without handling, and never corner or relocate a wild snake.
Safety & bite guidance ↗Where it is listed
A sense of place.
Checklist presence only. A highlighted state is not a local range boundary. Territory tiles are schematic.
State & territory checklist
About continuous range data
A verified habitat-model layer is not available for this species in this release. Earlier broad sketches connected jurisdiction locations; they did not show measured occurrence or USGS habitat predictions.
Use USGS distribution resources ↗ for available modeled habitat data.
Names, sources & image evidence
Also known as: No additional names recorded.
Taxonomy: provisional. Territory checklist entries may be provisional. Field descriptions include broad group-level natural-history summaries.
Research Grade iNaturalist observation 20218865 has exact taxon Heterodon simus
Conservation & local rules
Collection, possession, relocation, and protection rules vary by state and territory. Check the relevant wildlife agency before taking action. Leave wild snakes where they are.