https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7 Made with a dash of boredom en-us 2022-02-24 09:51:48 UTC 2022-03-17 09:49:05 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f40d.png dwbaird https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2073245431 Hognose snakes were originally burrowing lizards they evolved  to be better burrowers and in turn no longer have legs, 
the reason for that being that without legs they could more easily catch prey and fit inside smaller burrows. 
And now we have our present day snakes, 
but I’ll be focusing on the Western hognose snakes.]]> 2022-03-02 09:47:39 UTC https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2073245431 dwbaird https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2075493688 (skip to 2:40 to learn more about the Hognose snakes)

Western hognose snakes are carnivores. They feed predominately on amphibians, such as large and medium-sized tree frogs, as well as small or medium-sized toads and small lizards. These snakes may also prey on birds and small rodents.]]> 2022-03-03 10:01:41 UTC https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2075493688 dwbaird https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2075496815 Western hognose snakes have a polygynandrous (promiscuous) mating system in which both males and females have multiple partners. 
They mate in spring and females lay 4-23 elongate, thin-shelled eggs in June-August. 
The eggs take approximately 60 days to hatch and each hatchling is 13-23 cm (5-9 inches) in total length. 
Baby hognose snakes don't receive parental care and reach reproductive maturity after approximately two years of age.]]> 2022-03-03 10:03:55 UTC https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2075496815 dwbaird https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2075501283 1.Western hognose snakes don't face any major threats at present. 
However, in some areas of their range, 
these snakes suffer from habitat loss due to agro-industry.

2.According to IUCN, 
the Western hognose snake is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. 
Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.

3.Western hognose snakes play an important role in their ecosystem as they control populations of toads they prey on. These snakes are one of the few species that are able to tolerate the toads' poison because their saliva helps break down the toxins from toads.]]> 2022-03-03 10:07:06 UTC https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2075501283 dwbaird https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2085631235 The Western hognose snake has a short leg less body averaging at about 38-51cm and weighing in at around 80-350g and covered in scales. 
Western hognose snakes are small nonvenomous reptiles native to North America. 
Their color and pattern is highly variable between subspecies, 
although most specimens appear much like rattlesnakes to the untrained eye. 
Western hognose snakes are usually grayish brown or light olive green in color with darker dorsal spots. 
Males are considerably smaller than females. 
These snakes get their common name, "hognose", 
from the modified nose scale that is formed in an upturned manner, 
providing a "hog-like" look. Additionally, this adaptation makes these snakes adept burrowers. 
Western hognose snakes are not nonvenomous but possess potentially irritating saliva that may cause slight swelling and itching. 
The extremely rare bite from this rear-fanged snake is not regarded as dangerous to humans.

]]> 2022-03-09 08:37:37 UTC https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2085631235 dwbaird https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2085647644 Western hognose snakes occur from southern Canada throughout the United States to northern Mexico.
 They live in areas with sandy or gravelly soils, 
including prairies, river floodplains, wide valleys, scrub and grasslands, semi-deserts, 
and some semiagricultural areas.]]> 2022-03-09 08:49:06 UTC https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2085647644 dwbaird https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2085710667 https://animalia.bio/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnIrLy19cFV50Eai8Xj-ArA]]> 2022-03-09 09:32:20 UTC https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2085710667 dwbaird https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2097701243
Western hognose snakes are solitary and primarily diurnal creatures. They spend their day searching for food or resting burrowed in the soil or in burrows created by other small mammals. These snakes brumate each year underground during cold winter months. They are typically docile snakes (though known to be highly defensive in some individuals). If threatened (or perceiving a threat), they may flatten their neck (much like a cobra), hiss, and make 'mock' or 'bluff' strikes if harassed; these strikes are made with the snakes' mouth closed. Even when further harassed, Western hognose snakes virtually never bite as a self-defense mechanism, but will instead usually resort to playing dead. Although it is more common that they will flatten their head, some individuals may puff up, filling the throat with air. This is more common with adolescent males. 

]]> 2022-03-16 09:51:45 UTC https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2097701243 dwbaird https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2097710822 I hope you have enjoyed this presentation.]]> 2022-03-16 09:58:29 UTC https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2097710822 dwbaird https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2099709610 Western hognose snakes are solitary and primarily diurnal creatures. They spend their day searching for food or resting burrowed in the soil or in burrows created by other small mammals. They are typically docile snakes (though known to be highly defensive in some individuals). If threatened (or perceiving a threat), they may flatten their neck (much like a cobra), hiss, and make 'mock' or 'bluff' strikes if harassed; these strikes are made with the snakes' mouth closed. Even when further harassed, Western hognose snakes virtually never bite as a self-defense mechanism, but will instead usually resort to playing dead. Although it is more common that they will flatten their head, some individuals may puff up, filling the throat with air. This is more common with adolescent males. ]]> 2022-03-17 09:37:46 UTC https://padlet.com/dwbaird/sinmyqth7j2plro7/wish/2099709610