05/07/2020
More hognose! Hognose snakes are very unique and possess a myriad of defense mechanisms. See a photo of a Hognose in the "flapjack" stage at http://goo.gl/uNYy1r. Read a little more about Hognose at http://goo.gl/3XZUWT. While Hognose bluff and huff and puff, bites from U.S. species are not dangerous and not common. See more info in our comments. Artwork © Solid Snakes
More about Hognose from Dan Krull:
"Hognose bites: LONG VERSION: All four snakes in the genus Heterodon (Western or plains, eastern, southern, and Mexican hogs) possess a gland which produces a combination of toxins with various functions. This gland, called the Duvernoy's gland, is basically a primitive version of the venom glands seen in vipers and other venomous snakes, and is present in about 40% of colubrids. Some colubrids, such as the boomslang, can produce fatal toxins, and bites have resulted in human fatalities.
In hognose, rather than being injected through hollow fangs, this venom enters the snake's mouth through many small openings near the teeth on the top of the mouth. Any wound inflicted by the snakes teeth can deliver this venom into a wound, although the longer they "chew" the more likely you are to get a dose.
The word heterodon means different teeth, and refers to the hognose's large epistoglyphid teeth in the rear of its mouth. These teeth can cause serious, even fatal trauma in prey animals, and can cut your hand up pretty bad, allowing the venom to enter your bloodstream.
Several studies have inspected the various toxins found in hognose and other small, harmless snakes. One study found that eastern hognose produce a neurotoxin which paralyzes frog muscles under lab conditions. By means of comparison, these same researchers found that western hognose are FAR less toxic than other snakes with a Duverney's gland, including the common gartersnake, and many of the toxins in their saliva were also found in the gopher snake's saliva. (A colubrid which was used as a control in the study, because it does not possess a Duverney's gland.)
The long and the short of it is, hognose in the genus heterodon are technically venomous, but not considered dangerous to humans.
I'm a fifteen year veteran of hognose keeping, and I'm currently co-authoring "The Complete Hognose" for Eco Publishing. The simple answer is this: Snakes in the genus heterodon produce a very mild venom which may or may not cause pain and swelling if it enters your bloodstream through a bite. They are technically venomous, but their bite is very similar to a bite from a common garter snake, which is also venomous in the same technical way. Some people react to it, and some people don't. (It is designed to paralyze toads and lizards, etc.)
Symptoms may include mild pain, and swelling in the area of the bite. One great thing about hognose is they never bite to defend themselves, preferring to play dead when harassed, so bites only occur when snakes are attempting to feed and accidentally bite their owner. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me, and PLEASE make a donation to USARK!"
