Common Name
western hognose

When western hognose snakes feel threatened they will spread their necks, hiss loudly, and inflate their bodies. If these actions do not deter the threat, they will roll over, open their mouths, convulse , and play dead.

Iowa Range
pockets of northwestern and southeastern Iowa

Habitat
sand prairies

Description
The western hognose snake has a sharply upturned snout, normally with a keel on top. The ventral is covered in large jet black areas with interspersed areas of white or yellow. Scales are keeled and the anal plate is divided.