hognose snake

[hawg-nohz, hog-]

noun

1. 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

/ ˈhɒɡˌnəʊz /

noun

1. 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hognose snake¹

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