The only downside — or upside, depending upon your point of view — to my new hotspot for hunting odonates is there are only two trails in/out and both paths are steeply-inclined. Going in, not so bad walking downhill; going out, not so much fun!
I stopped to catch my breath as I was walking up a long trail with a 45-degree slope. I heard a rustling sound in the vegetation on the left side of the trail, a little beyond where I was standing. I moved closer slowly until I spotted my first Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)!
10 MAY 2017 | Fairfax County, VA | Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
Although the name for this snake is less than flattering, notice the distinctive orange fleur-de-lis shape on top of its head. The coloration of Eastern Hog-nosed Snake is variable; I was fortunate to see one of the more colorful ones.
10 MAY 2017 | Fairfax County, VA | Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
I never had a clear view of the entire snake, but I estimate it was two-to-three feet in length.
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Fairfax County, Heterodon platirhinos, Virginia
May 24, 2017 at 6:45 am |
Nice find Walter. He is handsome.
May 24, 2017 at 9:20 am |
Thanks, Lova. Eastern hog-nosed is the best-looking snake, by far, in the region where I live.
May 24, 2017 at 9:29 am |
We have Western Hognose here. They aren’t near as pretty as this guy.