Status History: Designated as Special Concern in 1997, then reassessed as Threatened in 2001. This mobility makes Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes more vulnerable to such threats as traffic mortality and habitat fragmentation than more sedentary species. The hatchlings are 16.5–21 cm (6.5–8.3 in) long. This squat, heavy-bodied snake reaches a maximum length of 3 feet (90 cm), but 2 feet (60 cm) is more typical. Their thoughtful review of earlier drafts of this document is greatly appreciated. The EASTERN HOG-NOSED SNAKE is the ultimate Cape Cod snake, a species specialized for the sandy habitats that typify the national seashore. Description. Masters Thesis, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario. Seburn, D. 2009. 65 pages plus appendix. road construction, or sand or gravel pits) can also degrade or destroy habitat for Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes. Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes are relatively slow moving and are therefore at greater risk of being hit while crossing roads, however they have also been found to exhibit road avoidance, which could contribute to population fragmentation (Andrews and Gibbons 2005). The Eastern Hognose was listed as least concern on the IUCN list in 2007. Comments: This is one wild snake! Plummer, M.V. Eastern hognose snakes hibernate by themselves in either burrows made by themselves or abandoned mammal burrows. Content (excluding the illustrations) may be used without permission, with appropriate credit to the source. Figure 3. Although the current distribution of the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake in Ontario is not completely known, it is clear that this species has declined. The potential for the strategy to inadvertently lead to adverse effects on other species was considered. The eastern foxsnake is the third-largest snake in Ontario and can reach a length of up to 1.7 metres, although most individuals are smaller. Personal communication with D. Seburn, September 2004. However, there has been increased concern for their population, especially in the Northeastern range of their habitat. Personal communication with D. Seburn, October 2004. 2004. A species will be considered recovered when its long-term persistence in the wild has been secured. You will not receive a reply. ×÷ §áD­V¯ÝÇ  Gy)/â-ϙŽ1ëé xs?„,Æ92?€x@'Ù§˜ç¥0@øxô´“"“tBì…ɃJ4ÖÔ^ϗ3çÄ¤V¡¨dq»²FI^㻞6rn&ìèqòJOeÿ‹Ÿ!Z(Áü r”˜'%Œ'ܗÂ27Wú 7Ê¢âÉÒíöyVߨÁ¼{-é endstream endobj 295 0 obj 636 endobj 271 0 obj << /CropBox [ 0 0 612 792 ] /Parent 261 0 R /Contents 280 0 R /Rotate 0 /MediaBox [ 0 0 612 792 ] /Resources 272 0 R /Type /Page >> endobj 272 0 obj << /XObject << /Im1 290 0 R /Im2 291 0 R /Im3 292 0 R /Im4 293 0 R >> /ColorSpace << /Cs6 283 0 R /Cs10 276 0 R /Cs12 279 0 R /Cs13 278 0 R >> /Font << /TT2 273 0 R /TT4 275 0 R /TT6 281 0 R >> /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text /ImageC /ImageI ] /ExtGState << /GS1 286 0 R >> >> endobj 273 0 obj << /Subtype /TrueType /FontDescriptor 277 0 R /LastChar 233 /Widths [ 278 0 0 556 0 889 667 191 333 333 389 584 278 333 278 278 556 556 556 556 556 556 556 556 556 556 278 278 584 584 0 556 1015 667 667 722 722 667 611 778 722 278 500 667 556 833 722 778 667 778 722 667 611 722 667 944 667 667 611 278 278 278 0 556 0 556 556 500 556 556 278 556 556 222 222 500 222 833 556 556 556 556 333 500 278 556 500 722 500 500 500 0 0 0 584 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 222 222 333 333 0 556 1000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 549 333 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 667 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 556 0 0 0 0 0 0 500 0 556 ] /BaseFont /BMEPLL+ArialMT /FirstChar 32 /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding /Type /Font >> endobj 274 0 obj << /StemV 138 /FontName /Arial-BoldMT /FontStretch /Normal /FontWeight 700 /Flags 32 /Descent -211 /FontBBox [ -628 -376 2000 1010 ] /Ascent 905 /FontFamily (Ô½ •A) /CapHeight 718 /XHeight 515 /Type /FontDescriptor /ItalicAngle 0 >> endobj 275 0 obj << /Subtype /TrueType /FontDescriptor 274 0 R /LastChar 150 /Widths [ 278 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 333 333 0 0 278 333 278 278 556 556 556 556 556 556 556 556 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 722 722 722 722 667 611 778 722 278 556 722 611 833 722 778 667 778 722 667 611 722 667 944 667 667 611 0 0 0 0 0 0 556 611 556 611 556 333 611 611 278 278 556 278 889 611 611 611 611 389 556 333 611 556 778 556 556 500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 556 ] /BaseFont /Arial-BoldMT /FirstChar 32 /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding /Type /Font >> endobj 276 0 obj [ /Indexed 283 0 R 255 288 0 R ] endobj 277 0 obj << /StemV 88 /FontName /BMEPLL+ArialMT /FontStretch /Normal /FontFile2 284 0 R /FontWeight 400 /Flags 32 /Descent -211 /FontBBox [ -665 -325 2000 1006 ] /Ascent 905 /FontFamily (h–wIé) /CapHeight 718 /XHeight 515 /Type /FontDescriptor /ItalicAngle 0 >> endobj 278 0 obj [ /Indexed 283 0 R 255 287 0 R ] endobj 279 0 obj [ /Indexed 283 0 R 255 289 0 R ] endobj 280 0 obj << /Length 682 /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream Significant data gaps exist in the information required for successful recovery of the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. In Canada, the range of this species is limited to the province of Ontario. Surveys for Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes were undertaken at Rondeau Provincial Park during 2000 and 2001 (Gillingwater 2002). This lil cute, pig-nosed, chubby snake is threatened, along with nine other snake species in Ontario and there’s so much we can do for them. 2000. It is not venomous. Although some local declines have been reported, the species H. nasicus is widespread, has a large overall population size (> 100,000), and is effectively protected by a variety of conservation programs. This includes developing and distributing a full colour, double-sided handout on the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. Modelling habitat use by eastern hog-nosed snakes (Heterodon platirhinos) in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, Ontario. and Gibbons, J.W. The Eastern Hog-nosed snake is recognized as a threatened species in Ontario and has a limited range in Southern Ontario. Eastern Hognose Snake Research Program, Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, 2002 Summary Report. Cunnington, G. 2004b. 2005. 2004). Copeia 2005(4): 772-782. The Eastern Hog-nosed Snake occurs in both Canada and the United States, but less than 10% of its global range is in Canada. Mills. Some Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes are intermediate in pattern with faint blotches (Figure 1). One of Ontario’s most unique snake species, the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake can be found in sandy areas, ranging from open fields to dunes and thickets to mixed forests. Other forms of development (e.g. The eastern hognose has a background color that can be yellow, gray, brown, green or black, often patterned with large, rectangular spots down the … The database is updated as new information is obtained. The Canadian population is limited to Ontario where it can be found in two areas: The Even when habitat is not destroyed completely, housing developments can lead to increased interactions between snakes and people and this has led to at least three Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes being killed around Wasaga Beach Provincial Park (Cunnington pers. and N.E. 2001. Range: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina 3. Females are larger than males. In Amphibians in Decline: Canadian studies of a global problem, D.M. persistence and retain and expand, where possible, the current range of occupancy and connectivity of extant populations. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. They are found throughout the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and into southern Canada. Recommendations for Eastern Hog-nosed Snake also may be incorporated into multi-species or ecosystem-based action plans where this is expected to be the most effective and efficient approach for implementation (e.g. Austen. These snakes are easily distinguished by their upturned snouts, but they are variable in color. The Eastern Hog-nosed Snake is widespread in eastern North America, with less than 10% of its global distribution in Canada. 94 pages plus appendices. protected areas, municipalities), Encourage protection and recovery of HOSN in management plans for all protected areas, Encourage regulation under the Ontario Endangered Species Act, Establish regional Recovery Implementation Groups (RIGs) for carrying out identified protection measures, Create subcommittee to define critical habitat, Through implementation of the schedule of studies, produce guidelines for resource users to identify critical habitat for purposes of SARA, Analysis of habitat use data to determine which land uses are compatible with HOSN, Identification of land uses that need testing to determine their compatibility with HOSN, Additional telemetry studies to determine land use compatibility (possibly combine with population studies), Develop and implement a communication strategy integrated with other snake SAR to ensure an efficient and coordinated approach to inform and engage the target audiences, Survey target audience to determine level of persecution, Develop & deliver workshops & materials for wildlife enforcement officers in conjunction with other Recovery Teams, Develop and promote best management practices & land-use guidelines for landowners and municipal planners, Identify key First Nations lands with major populations, Consult First Nations with respect to protection of populations on their lands, Identify known sites within protected areas where traffic mortality occurs, Erect “Brake-for-snakes” signs where appropriate, Develop and distribute information regarding the buying and selling of species at risk to the retail pet industry in Ontario, Number or records submitted to the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC), Number of historical EOs re-surveyed to determine current status of the Hog-nosed Snake, Implementation of a standardized monitoring protocol. Snake use of habitat was clustered in areas that provided a diverse habitat mosaic. Current Status and Protection. Threats faced by the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake include: habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, roads, persecution, collecting and contaminants. A research project investigating ways of determining which habitat parcels should qualify as critical habitat in Ontario has begun, but requires much more work and is not expected to be completed until 2013, as outlined in the Schedule of Studies below. Status report on the eastern Hognose Snake, Heterodon platirhinos, in Canada. Fill knowledge gaps regarding habitat use, population biology and threats. Additional research is required on habitat use in different areas of Ontario. Unpublished report for Parks Canada. 2004). Spatial ecology of Sistrurus catenatus and Heterodon platirhinos in a rock-barren landscape. Deb Jacobs (co-chair 2005) – Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Common Name: Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. Watters, D. 2003. An updated card was produced in 2005. Some of the morphs can get to the hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Laura Robson completed her MSc. 2004) and the species is now rare within the park. Since 1993, all Hog-nosed Snakes captured in the high use areas of the park have been implanted with a PIT tag, measured, weighed and released. 2001. _º‘"Œõ'³¤ez†Æ1A×xËäµ;8IÖܧ&Žœh€›ý±3–{NªPÂé }3|½qaÀ͵ŽX9 Despite the fact that the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake has a reputation of being difficult to maintain in captivity, there is a growing demand for this species. You see, eastern hognose snakes aren’t just big … they can also be pretty scary. The eastern hognose snake is found from southern New England and Ontario south along Atlantic coast to Florida and west to Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota (Ernst and Ernst 2003). Stout with a wide neck and a sharply upturned snout, they usually have 25 rows of keeled dorsal scales at midbody.. 1. Eagles (eds.). It is often confused with other blotched snake species, including the Massasauga rattlesnake, due to its similar colouring. ISBN 978-1-100-12210-6 Catalogue no. The Ontario Endangered Species Act and Canadian Federal Species At Risk Act both list these snakes as threatened. Ecological Land Classification system), Develop and implement a standard population monitoring protocol, Surveys in conjunction with other appropriate SAR to determine continuing presence of HOSN, Develop standardized data sheet/spreadsheet for recording data, Continue and expand reporting of observations within protected areas, Survey of dealers and stores to determine supply of and demand for HOSN, Intensive demographic studies at a few selected sites across the range to determine habitat use, home range and population density, Use basic life history data to estimate the effect of differing population sizes on probability of population survival, Determine which protected areas are large enough to adequately protect populations, DNA samples should be collected from all snakes handled in any research program, Profiling of populations once sufficient sample sizes are available, Identification of population markers to aid in identifying origin of poached snakes, Toxicological study of selected HOSN populations carried out in association with other research, Research project to determine dependence upon toad populations and food preference of juveniles, Prioritize private sites for urgency and conservation importance, Determine ideal protection strategy for each site, Identify key areas where land purchase is essential for survival of HOSN, Develop guidelines and a spatially explicit model to identify habitat essential to long-term survival of HOSN, Assess specific threats facing major populations across range, Develop and apply provincial habitat mapping guidelines for the purposes of the Provincial Policy Statement. Outreach programs by Upper Thames River Conservation Authority promote species at risk including the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. 17 pages. Range: This snake is widespread throughout eastern North America and probably occurs in every county in West Virginia. Habitat is also a limiting factor for this species, because of its reliance on areas with sandy soil. Behavioral responses to roads and vehicles. The eastern ribbonsnake is currently listed as Special Concern under the Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007 and Special Concern under the federal Species at Risk Act.The species has also been designated as a Specially Protected Reptile under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.These acts offer protection to individuals and their … If the defensive behaviour does not drive off the attacker, the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake will writhe about, flip over on its back and play dead. Roads are a widespread and significant ecological threat (Trombulak and Frissell 2000). Given the fact that Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes are known predators of Fowler’s Toads, a Threatened species, any action which leads to an increase in snake populations may lead to increased toad predation. Although historically the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake has been reported in Bruce and Prince Edward counties, it may now be extirpated from these areas (Oldham and Austen 1998). and N.E. It also occurs in southern Ontario, Canada. 2004, Rouse pers. It may be found along the Atlantic seacoast from central New England to the southern tip of Florida and then westward to central Texas and central Minnesota. Oldham, M.J. and M.E. Laura Robson completed her MSc. Unpublished report to Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. This recovery strategy was developed by David Seburn, ecological consultant, with the assistance of the Eastern Foxsnake/Eastern Hog-nosed Snake Recovery Team. thesis at the University of Ottawa on habitat use and demographics of Eastern hognose snakes (Heterodon platirhinos) in the Long Point Region. comm. Listed as “threatened” both provincially and federally, it’s also designated as protected under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. The Eastern Hog-nosed Snake makes use of a variety of habitats and can occupy a large home range over the course of a single year. Range lengths (the maximum distance between any two radio locations) for 10 individuals radio-tracked in Georgian Bay averaged 2.7 km and the maximum range length recorded was over 6 km (Rouse and Willson, unpublished data). The fear of snakes that some people have is exacerbated by the defensive behaviour of the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. Additionally, different Hognose Snake morphs tend to range in price quite a bit. Description: Sometimes called "puff adders," eastern hognose snakes are thick-bodied snakes that reach about 46 in (115 cm) long. Conservation Biology 4. ATV tracks have been found within 1 m of a known nest (Cunnington pers. Residence descriptions, or the rationale for why the residence concept does not apply to a given species, are posted on the SARA public registry: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/plans/residence_e.cfm. Hognose snakes are a species-at-risk in Canada with a designation of Threatened. comm. In addition, 35% of element occurrences are ranked historic, or unconfirmed in the last 20 years. This Recovery Strategy addresses the recovery of Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. Version 6.3. It is widespread across much of eastern North America, but in Canada, it is limited to two areas of Ontario: the Carolinian Life Zone of southwestern Ontario, and central Ontario south of the French River and Lake Nipissing. 2002. SARA defines residence as: “a dwelling-place, such as a den, nest or other similar area or place, that is occupied or habitually occupied by one or more individuals during all or part of their life cycles, including breeding, rearing, staging, wintering, feeding or hibernating” [SARA S2(1)]. Observations on trailing and mating behaviors in hognose snakes (Heterodon platirhinos). THIS snake â ¦ For western hognose, keep the humidity range between 30-50 percent and for the southern and eastern hognose snakes between 50-60 percent. A recovery strategy is a planning document that identifies what needs to be done to arrest or reverse the decline of a species. Females in the northern part of their range lay an average of 25 eggs, with larger females laying more eggs (Platt 1969). The dorsal color pattern consists of a light brown, yellowish, grayish, or reddish ground color, overlaid with a distinct row of dark blotches that alternate with smaller blotches on the flanks. The Eastern Hog-nosed Snake is listed as a specially protected reptile in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (FWCA) which prohibits its killing, capture, hunting or trapping, however persecution continues. Conservation Biology 9 :753-760. Recovery strategy development is a commitment of all provinces and territories and of three federal agencies -- Environment Canada, Parks Canada Agency and Fisheries and Oceans Canada -- under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk. Public outreach (including presentations and distribution of educational rack cards) was conducted along the Trent-Severn Waterway during summer 2005. Personal communication with D. Seburn, December 2004. As such it is possible that the Eastern Hog-nose Snake has limited recruitment, particularly in the northern part of its range in Ontario. In comparison, Western hognose snakes have much longer lifespans and can live as long as 20 years in captivity. A landowner survey and educational program on large snakes (Eastern Foxsnake, Eastern Hog-nosed Snake and Eastern Ratsnake) was undertaken by the Norfolk Field Naturalists in the Long Point area in 1992 and 1993. There are no unavoidable threats to the species or its habitat that preclude recovery and cannot be mitigated through recovery actions. Stein, B.A., L.S. Cunnington, G.M. Under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996), the federal, provincial, and territorial governments agreed to work together on legislation, programs, and policies to protect wildlife species at risk throughout Canada. Although the current distribution of the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake in Ontario is not completely known, it is clear that this species has declined in range. McKay, V. 2004. In addition, research is complicated by a low population density and the species’ exceedingly cryptic and secretive behaviour. Herpetological Review 33:89-90. All responsible jurisdictions reviewed and acknowledged receipt of the strategy. 1997. persistence and retain and expand, where possible, the current range of occupancy and connectivity of extant populations. Eastern Hog-nosed Snake surveys were conducted at Long Point National Wildlife Area from 1996-1999 and again in 2003-2004 (Gillingwater and Piraino 2004). Gillingwater, S. 2004. Precious Heritage: the status of biodiversity in the United States. Green, D. 2004. When hognose snakes are approached they perform a number of defensive behaviors. Natural Heritage Information Centre maintains a database that has compiled all known records of the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake in Ontario. Eastern hognose snakes are found from eastern-central Minnesota, and Wisconsin to southern Ontario, Canada, and extreme southern New Hampshire, south to southern Florida and west to eastern Texas and western Kansas.