Head to head
Eastern Fox Snake vs Eastern Hognose Snake
The eastern fox snake and the eastern hognose snake are both non-venomous snakes that rely entirely on bluffing to survive, but each has evolved a completely different performance.
| Eastern Fox Snake | Eastern Hognose Snake | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pantherophis gloydi | Heterodon platirhinos |
| Primary bluff | Rattlesnake tail-buzzing | Cobra hood display |
| Backup defence | None notable | Death-feigning (thanatosis) |
| Diet | Rodents, birds, eggs | Toads (specialist) |
| Venom | None | Very mild, rear-fanged |
| Habitat | Great Lakes wetlands | Sandy woodlands, dunes, fields |
| Range | Great Lakes region | Eastern, central US |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Least Concern |
Eastern Fox Snake vs Eastern Hognose Snake: common questions
Which snake has the more elaborate defensive act, the fox snake or the hognose snake?
The eastern hognose snake has the more elaborate act, escalating from a cobra-like hood-and-hiss display straight into a committed death performance complete with writhing, voided bowels, and a limp, tongue-lolling pose, while the eastern fox snake relies on a single, simpler trick, vibrating its tail against dry leaves to mimic a rattlesnake's rattle.
Are the eastern fox snake and eastern hognose snake dangerous to people?
No, neither species poses any real danger. The eastern fox snake has no venom at all, and the eastern hognose snake produces only a very mild venom from a rear gland, used to subdue toads and frogs rather than to defend itself against people, so any bite from either species is essentially harmless beyond possible minor localised irritation.
Why are both of these harmless snakes so often killed by people?
Both species rely on convincing but entirely bluffed threat displays, the fox snake's rattlesnake-mimicking tail buzz paired with its coppery head, and the hognose snake's cobra-like hood, and because these performances are effective enough to fool people as well as predators, both snakes are frequently killed out of unwarranted fear despite being completely harmless.