hognose snake

American

[hawg-nohz, hog-] / ˈhɔgˌnoʊz, ˈhɒg- /

noun

any harmless North American snake of the genus Heterodon, the several species having an upturned snout and noted for flattening the head or playing dead when disturbed.

hognose snake British

/ ˈhɒɡˌnəʊz /

noun

Also called: puff adder. any North American nonvenomous colubrid snake of the genus Heterodon, having a trowel-shaped snout and inflating the body when alarmed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hognose snake

An Americanism dating back to 1730–40; hog + nose

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Its exhibit “The Woods” includes a three-toed box turtle, a western hognose snake and marine life native to Long Island Sound.

From New York Times

The eastern hognose snake is famous for flipping over on its back and playing dead, the North Carolina State Parks and Recreation said.

From Fox News

Biologists are looking for data on several seldom-seen reptiles and amphibians, such as the Fowler’s toad, eastern hognose snake, blue-spotted salamanders and others.

From Washington Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023