Harmless · North Carolina
Southern Hognose Snake
Heterodon simus
Rare hognose of sandy longleaf pine habitats.
At a glance
Size
Usually 14-24 inches.
North Carolina range
sandhills, southern coastal plain
Habitat
sandhills, longleaf pine
Diet
Primarily toads and frogs.
Pattern
blotches
Venomous
No
How to identify it
Small, stout hognose with a sharply upturned snout and a consistent row of dark blotches on a tan or reddish background.
Where to look in North Carolina
Very rare and limited to the Sandhills and southern Coastal Plain.
Dry, sandy longleaf-pine and Sandhills habitats.
Regional maps show broad physiographic provinces, not county-level records.
Photo guide
Use the gallery to check pattern, body shape, and context—not just overall color.
