Ultimately, Unconvincing
In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Change.”
Walking along near the creek, I saw this Eastern Hognose snake…
“No, I believe YOU are in MY path!”
“Did you know my other name is PUFF ADDER? Look at my neck flare out! I’m scary, I tell you!”
“Look deep into my hypnotizing eyes…”
“I’m flaring out even more! Practically COBRA-like, right? I could strike at ANY MINUTE! You MUST be frightened now!”
“OK, fine then, I’m outta here. I’m really fast though, did you notice that?”
I see Eastern Hognose snakes every now and then around here, and I find their shed skins often. Usually they stay still for a long time, even when I just about step on them, and let me get a lot of pictures. This is the first time I have had one go through the bluffing behavior of trying to look bigger and badder than it really is, flattening its head and flaring out its neck.
I have read that if this bluff doesn’t work, they will also roll over and play dead, even leaving their tongues hanging out of their mouths. I didn’t even remember that as I was walking along, trying to get good pictures, but I wouldn’t mess with it anyway. I just enjoy getting to see them.
Really cool pictures 🙂 Was this fella an adult? I love the part about the bluff ❤️
Yes, I would say he was about 30 inches (77 cm) long. Last year I had two in my vegetable garden, sunning themselves almost every day in November, and they were a little longer. I was glad to get to see the bluff display!