Western Hognose
 Their name is derived from the upturned almost shovel-like tip of their snout that they use for burrowing and hiding in the sand and loose gravel.
Western hognose snakes prefer to live in sandy prairies, scrublands and floodplains. They are found east of the Rockies and west of the Mississippi from southern Canada to northern Mexico.
When threatened, hognose snakes employ two methods of defense. First the snake will inhale a lot of air to expand its body and flatten out its head. Then it will hiss loudly making itself appear very dangerous. If further threatened, it will mimic intense spasms and then turn itself belly up presenting its black belly. The black belly is intended to mimic a rotting (and unappetizing) carcass.
These snakes are voracious feeders and consume any smaller animals they find such as frogs, toads, lizards, small snakes, reptile eggs, ground-nesting bird eggs, rodents, and small birds.
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