The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge.
We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
|
.
I am lucky enough to have this beautiful female living under my house. She is 30 inches long and 3/4 inch diameter. One can tell she is a female (rather than pick her up and check her nether regions) by the thickening at the end of her tail. Males usually have longer thinner (almost nail shaped) tails. I have included a short video on the spectacular defense tactics of this wonderful creature.
One thing not mentioned in the video is the odor released by the snake when it flips over. A musk mixed with feces is produced and smells like rot and decay. Most animals are repelled and don’t eat the snake.
These are a passive, non-poisonous snake that eat small insects, toads and tiny rodents. There are many subspecies in Mississippi that mimic poisonous snakes. My snake variety, is often mistaken for a Cottonmouth. The common term here is “lowland hognose”. Another is mislabeled as a Copperhead and known as an “upland hognose”. Here is it’s photo of that snake from Wikipedia.
I’ve added a photo showing the difference between the Eastern Hognose (Heterodon platirhinos) and the Southern Hognose.
The snout of the two snakes is markedly different. The Southern Hognose is also called Puff Adder (because of it’s unusual behavior and looks) as seen in the video.
This snake species is not endangered but is on the “Threatened” list for much of the Southern US. They are extremely shy and elusive and are loosing habitats to expanding construction.
Hognose snakes are found in most of the US and the coloring is remarkable with each region. I don’t expect everyone to learn about snakes but if (knock on wood) someone encounters this snake, no harm will come to either person or reptile.
Thanks for the time.
🍂
What’s up in nature in your area today?
🍁
"SPOTLIGHT ON GREEN NEWS & VIEWS"
EVERY SATURDAY AT 3:00 PM PACIFIC TIME ON THE DAILY KOS FRONT PAGE.
IT'S A GREAT WAY TO CATCH UP ON DIARIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED. BE SURE TO RECOMMEND AND COMMENT IN THE DIARY.
|