09/04/2026
Have you ever seen a snake that would rather pretend to be dead than fight? Meet North Dakota’s hognose snakes! These fascinating snakes are harmless to people and have a very unusual way of defending themselves.
When threatened, a hognose snake may try playing dead! The snake rolls onto its back, open its mouth, lets its tongue hang out, and even releases a foul-smelling odor. If the predator loses interest, the hognose will stay perfectly still until the danger has passed. Should the predator flip the snake back onto its belly to investigate the Hognose knows that it might look alive so will immediately flip back onto its back… right In front of the predator. Talk about putting on a convincing performance!
Hognose snakes also play an important role in North Dakota’s environment. They help control populations of prey such as toads, frogs, insects, and small animals. By being both predator and prey, they are an important part of the prairie food web.
So, if you happen to spot a hognose snake around Fort Buford, before you faint dead away it probably is already playing dead.
Image: National Parks Service, Plains Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus), Photograph, National Parks Service January 9th, 2024, https://www.nps.gov/jeca/learn/nature/plains-hognose-snake.htm.
