Spreading Adder

TnTnTn · #1 09/12/10, 09:21 PM

Here is a picture of what we call a 'spreading adder' feigning death. I found it on our 4 wheeler trail and moved it with a stick. It spread its neck like a cobra, flattened out and hissed. When that didn't work it rolled over left its mouth gaping open and had its tongue dangling. I moved it our of the trail and went on. When I came back 30 minutes later it was gone of course. Can't get the link to work. ok it is working now.

0911101527a.jpg by shtmtnman2744, on Flickr

Paquebot · #2 09/12/10, 09:57 PM

That's the Eastern hog-nosed snake doing exactly what it's supposed to do. Been many years since I seen one around here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterodon_platirhinos

Martin

GBov · #3 09/13/10, 07:41 AM

Whats funny is if you flip them back upright. They will roll right back onto their back. You arnt properly dead if you are upright

Bearfootfarm · #4 09/13/10, 11:10 AM

They are neat snakes.
I see them here on occasion.

I like the little touch of letting the tongue hang out, but it is funny to see them turn back upside down

DavidUnderwood · #5 09/13/10, 11:13 AM

We have spreading adder (hog nosed snake)
here, too. Fun to mess with. I've seen them
so upset that they would bleed a little around
the eyes. But you can't make one bite you.

Oldcountryboy · #6 09/19/10, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidUnderwood

We have spreading adder (hog nosed snake)
here, too. Fun to mess with. I've seen them
so upset that they would bleed a little around
the eyes. But you can't make one bite you.

They will also throw up any food in their belly as if they're offering it to you so you wont eat them instead. I try to keep some around the house here but the dang neighbors keep killing them cause they think they're copperheads.

Neighbors are more disgusting then snakes!

72shane · #7 09/19/10, 10:43 PM

Ive seen them dislocate their jaw (looks it) when they play dead as well. Sometimes they will hiss and carry on while spreading and sound like the devil!...lol..like said above though, with all that attitude, i cant get them to strike. After the fit dont work, they roll over. Very neat to see.

Ed Norman · #8 09/19/10, 10:47 PM

Do they once in a while take a quick peek with one eye to see if you are buying their act?

GBov · #9 09/20/10, 07:45 AM

One very interesting fact about them is that if you are very VERY drunk and get bitten by one (yes, quite hard to manage that one lol) their saliva will act with the blood alcohol and can kill you.

Read about it a few years ago in an article on how a moronic herp keeper won the Darwin award.

They have always been one of my favorite snakes. Havnt seen one yet in our new house but with all hte other kinds here should see them before too long.

Oh Oldcountryboy, can you get your neighbor to stop if you tell them that they kill rattlesnakes? I actually managed to get my cousins to stop killing them that way. Its a lie of course but it works a treat *wink*

Txrider · #10 09/20/10, 02:15 PM

Yep they are quite unique snakes. The only snake I know of that will strike at you with it's mouth open but close it's mouth mid strike before it gets to you.

Extremely hard to get one to bite.

Also the only creature I know that feeds on poisonous toads, eating them whole.

All in all about the most harmless snake there is.

Oldcountryboy · #11 09/20/10, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GBov

Oh Oldcountryboy, can you get your neighbor to stop if you tell them that they kill rattlesnakes? I actually managed to get my cousins to stop killing them that way. Its a lie of course but it works a treat *wink*

I'll have to give that one a try! I've told one of my neighbors about how harmless and good the Spreading Adder was. His pig brainned attitude was "Only good snake is a dead snake".

Neighbors can be sorry people I tell ya!