THE REPTILES OF OHIO 43 



Hocking County: Canlwell Cliffs, Laurel Twp. (OSM 362); Clear Creek, Good 

 Hope Twp. (OSM 82); Salt Creek Twp. (AS). KnoX CountY: Brinkhaven 

 (OSM 366.2). Licking County: (Morse, 1904). Lucas County: Crissey (TZS 

 14); Holland (TZS 226-7, 956, 2284); Monclova (TZS 999); Spencer Twp. 

 (BGSU); Springfield Twp. (OSM 244); Sylvania Twp. (TZS 105, 313); Toledo 

 (TZS 102); Trilby. MusKlNGUM Counts': Section 15, Salem Twp. (OSM 470). 

 Ottawa County: Bay Point, Danbury Twp.; Put-in-Bay (SL). PiKE County: 

 Laurel Ridge, Sunfish Twp. (TZS 1443, 1942). SciOTO CoUNTY: Buena Vista (OSM 

 83). Vinton County: 2 mi. S of Dundas (DOR). Washington County: Marietta 

 (MC; USNM 1180). Wood Couniy: Section 20, Liberty Twp. (TZS 955). 



Habitat and Habits. — The hog-nosed snake cannot be considered as abun- 

 dant in the state. In some areas it is fairly common but its unusual behavior 

 consistently causes uninformed and prejudiced persons to kill it. It probably 

 will become less and less numerous in the state, at least in all but the wilder 

 portions of its range. 



In southern Ohio it occurs in most of the hilly counties and is particularly 

 partial to the drier and more sandy districts. While a few specimens were 

 taken in moist ravines, the majority were in dry open woods of either pine or 

 deciduous dominance. 



In northwestern Ohio the distribution, as indicated by the specimens taken, 

 is more or less correlated with fossil and modern beaches. Thus west of 

 Toledo this snake is fairly common in the sandy area locally known as the 

 "Oak Openings" (see page H ) . It is also found amid the dunes of a fossil 

 beach near Portage, Wood County, and along Lake Erie on Bay Point in 

 Ottawa County and Cedar Point in Erie County. It is apparently unknown 

 in northeastern Ohio. 



The field data indicate that the hog-nosed snake usually was found in the 

 open, either on the prowl or sunning itself. However, a large specimen, about 

 to shed its skin, was discovered hidden in the midst of a pile of stones on 

 the top of a dry ridge in Pike County. 



The most characteristic behavior of the hog-nosed snake is its threatening 

 attitude and subsequent antics when disturbed in the field. Instead of attempt- 

 ing to escape, most specimens flatten the head and neck to twice or more the 

 normal width. At the same time^ they inflate the lung with air which they 

 expel with a loud hiss. Some even strike, but always (apparently) with the 

 mouth closed. When alarmed or annoyed sufficiently one may open its mouth 

 widely, make a few convulsive movements, roll upon its back, wriggle a few 

 times and then remain still. To all appearances, it is dead and it may be 

 picked up, tossed about, hung over a fence or handled in a variety of ways 

 without showing signs of life. If, however, it is placed upon the ground right 

 side up it will roll over on its back, thus giving itself away! If it is let strictly 

 alone for a time, it will raise its head and then turn over and crawl away. 



One individual, instead of playing dead, varied the procedure by holding 

 its head and neck in the air and its mouth wide open as it crawled slowly 

 about. Most captive specimens refuse to perform after they have gone through 

 their maneuvers once or twice. 



