As much as I appreciate a great actor on a stage, human theater has nothing on the real life dramatic acting that takes place in the natural world. From a mother bird feigning a broken wing to distract predators from her nest to the costume changing lizards that seemingly disappear into their environments, pure survival is the best “motivation” for an Oscar worthy performance. I was recently given a front row seat to an incredible play that would no doubt inspire the most seasoned Shakespearean actor. Ladies and Gentleman, I present the Hognose Snake.
An Oscar Winning Performance
We were driving through recreation areas on Eglin Airforce Base (permit required) in the Florida Panhandle when we came across a Hognose Snake on the road. The snake was flattened out on the road, initially appearing as if it had been run over. I don’t know if the flattening out was an attempt to go unnoticed or if the snake was maximizing his surface area in contact with the sand on the road to warm up. We approached the snake and almost immediately, he puffed up his head and the front end of his body. He reared up to appear like a menacing Cobra. His bluff included impressive hissing and swaying. As I got down on my belly to get a better photographic angle, this Thespian pretended to strike. I say pretended because he never once opened his mouth.
For a moment, I thought the snake had finished the performance and was exiting the stage. To my surprise, it was just the end of the first act, a prelude to the dramatic death scene. The snake began writhing and twitching. His body flipped and contorted. He even defacated (complete with a rather offensive odor). His death throws were absolutely convincing and bizarre. Just when I thought it was over, there would be another twitch, an apparent exhalation, mouth gapped. With a final tongue-hanging-out gasp, it was over. The snake was limp and lifeless. I was reminded of one of my favorite Monty Python sketches (The Dead Parrot Sketch).
This snake is no more! He has ceased to be! He’s expired and gone to meet his maker! He’s a stiff! Bereft of life, he rests in peace! He’s pushing up the daisies! His metabolic processes are now history! He’s off the twig! He’s kicked the bucket, he’s shuffled off his mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin’ choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-SNAKE!!
We backed away from the snake. About thirty seconds later, he peeked up, saw we were gone, righted himself, and casually moved off the road. (Perhaps he really was just pining for the Fjords-for those of you familiar with the parrot sketch)
The Hognose Snake is a fairly common snake in the Southeast and is easily identified by it’s upturned snout. Their colors and patterns are variable. There are two species found here, the Eastern Hognose and the Southern Hognose. I’m fairly certain the snake above is an Eastern Hognose. The snake is non-venomous and feeds mostly on frogs and lizards. While they do have teeth (rear fanged) it seems it would take a lot to get one of these snakes to actually bite you. Playing dead seems to be their defense of choice.
I’ll be catching up on my blog and posting more photos from our recent Panhandle trip over the next few weeks. I’m also looking forward to a photo shoot with a baby Otter in a few days. I can’t wait!
by LME
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