At the same time they set up a commotion with their tails, perhaps in the 
hope of distracting the attention of the other snakes from the food. 
An average ribbon snake measures somewhat more than two feet in 
length. It is dark brown or black on top and yellowish-white underneath. 
A yellow stripe extending down the back and sides is the reason for the 
snake’s name. Ribbon snakes bring forth about fourteen live young. 
HOG-NOSED SNAKE 
When surprised or threatened, the harmless hog-nosed snake displays the 
most menacing and terrifying attitudes. It swells and puffs to unbelievable 
proportions, flattens its neck in the manner of a cobra and hisses in sinister 
fashion. 
Despite its comparatively small size, about one yard, the hog-nosed 
snake is much feared among the uninitiated. It is mistakenly believed to 
be poisonous, and therefore in various localities is called spreading adder, 
blow snake, and blowing viper. 
This reptile owes its name to its turned-up nose, protected with a hard 
shield. The armored nose is used for burrowing in soft soil. The hog-nosed 
snake eats fishes and frogs and will frequently root out a toad buried 
near the surface. The large, fang-like teeth in the rear of the jaw puncture 
the bodies of amphibian victims, which resist being swallowed by inhaling 
deeply and puffing up. 
The hog-nosed snake is a great bluffer. If molested, it will go into a 
highly convincing series of actions intended to convey the idea that it is 
dying. Finally it will actually roll over on its back and seem to die. The 
only flaw in this performance is that if the snake is rolled over to its normal 
position again, it will roll right back with its belly upward. 
This serpent is usually encountered in dry sandy areas near the sea¬ 
shore. Occasionally, however, it is found in hilly and mountainous regions. 
The color of the hog-nosed snake is yellow-brown crossed by brown 
or black bands. The snake lays about two dozen eggs during the latter part 
of July. 
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