# What kind of snake is this? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 12, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-snake-is-this/201262 "2003-09-12T18:54:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fizzestothetop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e79b87/32.png) [@fizzestothetop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizzestothetop)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-snake-is-this/201262/1 "2003-09-12T18:54:01Z")
So I was out and about yesterday with a friend taking some pictures at an old rock quarry that had filled up with water, when we happened upon [this snake](http://images.snapfish.com/33865%3B%3B923232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2323%3D535%3D4%3A8%3D32325353%3B7%3A48nu0mrj). It doesn’t look like any of the other snakes in this area (South West Virginia) and it didn’t look terribly friendly either. When I first walked by it I was just over a foot away from it, until I noticed it and jumped about 50 feet in the air. Then I snuck back a little closer so I could take my picture because I just have to know what kind of snake this is. So anybody got any ideas? You guys seem to know everything so I figured this was the best place to ask. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-snake-is-this/201262/2 "2003-09-12T19:20:38Z")
How about this guy: [http://nashville.about.com/library/blank/snakes/blsnake4.htm](http://nashville.about.com/library/blank/snakes/blsnake4.htm) ---
**Author:** ![fizzestothetop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e79b87/32.png) [@fizzestothetop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizzestothetop)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-snake-is-this/201262/3 "2003-09-12T19:50:23Z")
I don’t think that’s it. This one didn’t have a rattler and it was more redish toward the head and orangy toward the tail. Its head fanned out kinda making it square looking. You can kinda see that in the picture. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-snake-is-this/201262/4 "2003-09-12T20:02:07Z")
[Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake](http://www.oplin.lib.oh.us/products/snake/fact%20pages/hog_nose_snake/hog_nose_snake.html), most likely. Their colors vary, and include red and brown with spots. The upturned nose in your photo (like [this](http://members.tripod.com/Howtuz/EasternHognosedSnake.html)), and the flattened head reminded me immediately. Not poisonous. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-snake-is-this/201262/5 "2003-09-12T20:07:03Z")
Okay. I didn’t really focus on the head the first time. How about one of these: [http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/eastern\_hognose\_snake.htm](http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/eastern_hognose_snake.htm) Especially the “red phase” one. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-snake-is-this/201262/6 "2003-09-12T20:16:02Z")
How about a [hognose snake](http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/novenom_9.htm)? (I’m particularly noting the reddish brown color with the large dark spots in the midst of lighter bands on that appear on your photo and on the upper photo in my link.) [Separate image with different patttern](http://www.mts.net/~mxdgrass/images/gallery/hognose%20snake.jpg) (taken in Ontario). ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-snake-is-this/201262/7 "2003-09-12T22:37:40Z")
Wow. How very cool. I’d give a lot to come across a snake like that in the wild. I’m gonna go on a rubber boa hunt next summer. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-snake-is-this/201262/8 "2003-09-13T02:26:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cher3 \* > \*\*Okay. I didn’t really focus on the head the first time. > > How about one of these: > > [http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/eastern\_hognose\_snake.htm](http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/eastern_hognose_snake.htm) > > Especially the “red phase” one. \*\* I think we have a winner… Totally cool looking snake(s)!