Western Hognose

Question
Heya,

I've recently acquired a western hognose snake, but would like to know more specifically which subspecies to is. Are there any identifying features between the 3 subspecies?
Cheers,
Josh

Answer
Hi Josh:
This is the thired time I have answered your question and each time something happens to erase my answer?  Lets try it one more time. If something happens this time, email me direct and I will send you the answer, my address is  specializedvenoms@gmail.com  If you still can not identify it, send me a picture of each side and the head shots and I will attempt to ID it for you.
There are actually five subspecies of Hognose snake in North America, here is a brief description on each.

#1 The Dusky Hognose (Heterodon nasicus gloydi)  it averages between 16 and 30 inches in length, its base body color varies from white to cream-white, its blotch markings are clean and precise, dark brown in color with a row traveling down the mid dorsal line and a set of smaller blotches along each mid lateral section.  Another row of smaller blotch marks extends the length of the body along the lowest point of each side with a vertical blotch, separating each small blotch.  This subspecies inhabits the states of ILL. MO. ARK. and IOWA.  Its body scale count is as follows, 20 rows at mid body, 114 to 152 ventral track scales and 41 to 63 subcaudal scale rows.  Both the anal plate and subcaudal scales are divided.

#2: The Southern Hognose snake (Heterodon simus), its length varies from 16 to 25 inches with most being about 18 inches. Its base body color is a pinkish color with brown solid colored blotch marks running the length of the spine with a rust colored semi oval shaped blotch mark separating the larger blotches and another row of smaller brown blotch marks along the mid lateral area of each side.  Below the upper side blotches is another row of small dash type blotches better described as vertical dash lines running along the lowest point of each side, they are reddish brown in color, usually.  The ventral surface is off white-cream to brown in color, the head has three (3) brown short streaks that terminate on the mid neck area.  The eyes are joined by a brown bar shaped line that crosses over the snout just touching the upper side of the Rostral scale.  The scale count is 23 rows at mid body with 112 to 132 ventral track scales and between 28 and 50 divided subcaudal scale rows, the anal plate is also divided.  This subspecies inhabits the southern portion of Florida and some of the Florida Keys.

#3 The Plains Hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus nasicus) its length varies between 22 and 36 inches with most being about 28 inches.  The base body color is a yellowish green with dark brown to black blotch marks of solid colors running along the spine with a smaller row on each side about mid ways down from the spine.  The ventral color and markings are similar to the western Hognose.  This is the largest and the stoutest of all North American Hognose Snakes subspecies.  Its scale counts are 21 rows at mid body, 115 to 140 ventral track scales and between 65 and 80 divided subcaudal scale rows, the anal plate is also divided.  The top of the head has the three (3) stripes similar to the Western Hognose. This subspecies inhabits the states of MO. NEB. IOWA, ILL. AND INDIANA.

#4: The Eastern Hognose (Heterodon Platirhinose)  its body length varies between 24 and 34 inches, its base body color is usually solid black.  In younger individuals there may still be visible remnants of the brown banding along the spinal track that it had when it was a juvenile, the ventral surface is white to off white with black random blotches scattered about.  The under side of the tail starts as a medium gray color that changes to dark gray and sometimes black by the time it reaches the tip.  The scale counts are 23 rows at mid body, 120 to 145 ventral track scales and 35 to 58 divided subcaudal scales.  The anal plate is also divided.  The head is solid black however most have white under the chin that sometimes drifts onto the lower labial scales.  The home range extends from Virginia southward to Florida and west to the eastern side of the Mississippi River.

#5: The Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus)  It average between 24 and 36 inches in body length, its base body color is usually cream to off white with a series of brown blotches with lighter centers running along the spine and a smaller row on each side about mid ways down from the spine.  The ventral surface is either jet black or off white with black random blotches scattered about from neck to tail.  The top of the head has three (3) brown to black short streaks that stop at the mid neck area and a brown bar type line that connects each eye and passes over the top of the snout touching the top of the Rostral scale.  Another brown stripe starts at the post ocular area and angles downward stopping at a point at the rear of the angle of the jaw. The scale counts are 19 rows at mid body, 115 to 152 ventral track scales and 35 to 50 subcaudal scales, the subcaudals and anal plate are both divided.  It inhabits states west of the Mississippi River, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and parts of Nebraska.