Have you ever seen a snake play dead? It might sound strange, but some snakes have a clever trick up their scales.
When faced with danger, these reptiles fake their own demise to fool predators.
At least 12 types of snakes can play dead for up to 5 minutes, with a few capable of maintaining the act even longer.
This behavior, known as thanatosis, is a fascinating survival tactic. Snakes that use this strategy will roll onto their backs, open their mouths, and remain motionless.
Some even go the extra mile by emitting a foul odor to mimic the smell of decay.
It’s an Oscar-worthy performance that can mean the difference between life and death in the wild.
From the dramatic Eastern Hognose to the resourceful Common Kingsnake, various species employ this deceptive technique.
Each has its own unique twist on playing possum, making the world of snakes even more intriguing than you might have thought.
Let’s slither into the details of these master actors of the reptile world.
1. Eastern Hognose Snake
The Eastern Hognose Snake is a master of deception. This reptile is famous for its dramatic death-feigning behavior. When threatened, it puts on quite a show.
First, the snake flattens its head and neck. It hisses loudly and may strike with a closed mouth. If this doesn’t work, it steps up its act.
The snake rolls onto its back and goes limp. Its mouth hangs open, and its tongue lolls out. It even emits a foul smell to complete the illusion of death.
Eastern Hognose Snakes have unique features:
- Upturned snout
- Thick body
- Variable colors (gray, brown, or reddish with dark blotches)
These snakes live in sandy areas across the eastern United States. They eat mostly toads and frogs.
Despite their scary act, Eastern Hognose Snakes are harmless to humans. Their venom is mild and meant for subduing prey, not defending against large animals.
This snake’s theatrical performance is a last-ditch effort to avoid danger. It’s an impressive survival tactic that has served the species well.
2. Western Hognose Snake
The Western Hognose Snake is a master of deception. This small, stout-bodied snake is known for its upturned snout and dramatic defense tactics.
When threatened, the Western Hognose puts on quite a show. It flattens its head and neck, hissing loudly to appear more intimidating. If this doesn’t work, it takes its performance to the next level.
The snake will flip onto its back and play dead in a very convincing manner. It may even emit a foul-smelling musk to complete the illusion.
These snakes are found in North America, primarily in areas with sandy or loose soil. Their upturned noses help them burrow and search for food.
Western Hognose Snakes eat a varied diet, including:
- Toads
- Frogs
- Small rodents
- Lizards
- Eggs
Despite their dramatic displays, Western Hognose Snakes are generally harmless to humans. They’re often kept as pets due to their unique personalities and behaviors.
In captivity, these snakes can live up to 20 years with proper care. Their fascinating “play dead” behavior continues to captivate both researchers and snake enthusiasts alike.
3. Ringneck Snake
The ringneck snake is a small, secretive reptile found across North America.
It gets its name from the distinctive collar-like ring around its neck, which is usually yellow or orange.
These snakes are typically 10-15 inches long as adults. They have smooth, dark scales that can be gray, black, or brown in color.
Ringneck snakes are nocturnal and spend much of their time hidden under rocks, logs, or leaf litter. They eat small prey like earthworms, slugs, and salamanders.
When threatened, ringneck snakes may play dead as a defense mechanism. This behavior helps protect them from predators like foxes, skunks, and larger snakes.
Some key facts about ringneck snakes:
- Non-venomous and harmless to humans
- Give birth to live young instead of laying eggs
- Can be found in forests, grasslands, and suburban areas
- Active mainly at night and on rainy days
While not as well-known as some other snake species, ringneck snakes play an important role in their ecosystems as both predator and prey.
4. Grass Snake
The grass snake is a non-venomous snake found in Europe and parts of Asia.
It’s also known as the ringed snake or water snake. These snakes like to live near water and eat mostly frogs and other small animals.
Grass snakes have a cool trick up their sleeve. When they feel scared, they play dead to trick their enemies.
This is called thanatosis. They flip onto their back and lie very still.
But playing dead isn’t their only defense. Grass snakes can also:
- Release a smelly liquid
- Make hissing sounds
- Pretend to strike (without actually biting)
Adult grass snakes are better at playing dead than young ones. A study found that 66% of adult grass snakes play dead when scared, but baby snakes don’t do it at all.
Grass snakes have round pupils and shiny eyes. This makes them look very convincing when they’re pretending to be dead. They’re also good at untying themselves if they get tangled up.
These snakes sleep through the winter, usually from October to March. When spring comes, they wake up and start having babies.
Grass snakes are special because they lay eggs, which is rare for snakes in Europe.
5. Boomslang
The boomslang is a snake native to Africa. It belongs to the Dispholidus genus, which includes two other species.
This snake has gained attention for its unusual traits and potential danger to humans.
Boomslangs have a unique ability to play dead. When threatened, they may lie still for up to 5 minutes to avoid predators. This behavior helps them survive in the wild.
These snakes are known for their potent venom. While not the deadliest snake in Africa, their bite can be dangerous. The boomslang’s venom is hemotoxic, affecting blood clotting.
A notable incident occurred in 1957 when a herpetologist was bitten by a young boomslang.
At the time, people didn’t know these snakes were deadly. This event led to more research on boomslang venom.
Boomslangs have distinct physical traits:
- Large eyes
- Egg-shaped head
- Green, brown, or black coloration
- Can grow up to 2 meters long
Despite their dangerous reputation, boomslang bites are rare. These snakes typically avoid humans and only bite when feeling very threatened.
6. Indigo Snake
The indigo snake is a fascinating creature that can play dead when threatened. This behavior is known as thanatosis.
One type of indigo snake that uses this tactic is the Texas indigo snake. It’s a large, non-venomous snake that can grow up to 7 feet long.
Texas indigo snakes are found throughout Texas. They have a unique appearance with blackish-purple scales that shine in bright light.
When faced with danger, these snakes employ an interesting defense strategy. They coil up, open their mouth, and lie still, mimicking death.
This clever trick helps them avoid being eaten by predators. Many animals won’t eat prey that appears to be dead.
Indigo snakes are known for their strength. They can overpower and eat other snakes, even venomous ones like rattlesnakes.
Despite their power, playing dead remains an effective survival tool for these impressive reptiles.
7. Dekay’s Brown Snake
Dekay’s brown snake is a common snake species in North America. It’s known for its small size and harmless nature.
This snake has an interesting defense mechanism. When threatened, it may play dead to avoid predators. This behavior is similar to other snakes that use this tactic.
Dekay’s brown snake typically grows to less than 12 inches long. It has a brown or gray body with a lighter stripe down its back. Small black spots often border this stripe.
These snakes are excellent at adapting to different environments. They can live in:
- Cities
- Suburbs
- Forests
- Fields
Their diet mainly consists of slugs and earthworms. This makes them helpful for gardeners as natural pest control.
Dekay’s brown snakes are non-venomous and shy. They prefer to hide under logs, rocks, or leaves. When spotted, they often try to escape rather than confront.
Blue jays, crows, and cats are common predators of these snakes. Playing dead is one way they try to avoid being eaten.
Despite their name, Dekay’s brown snakes can vary in color. Some may appear reddish or even nearly black. Their belly is usually lighter in color, often pink or light brown.
8. Plain-Bellied Water Snake
The Plain-Bellied Water Snake is a nonvenomous snake native to the United States. Its scientific name is Nerodia erythrogaster.
This snake gets its common name from its lack of patterning on its underside.
These snakes come in various colors, including brown, gray, and olive green.
They have dark blotches down their backs and solid-colored bellies that can be yellow, brown, red, or green.
Plain-Bellied Water Snakes are often mistaken for cottonmouths, which leads to unnecessary killings.
They’re not protected in southeastern states, despite being harmless to humans.
These snakes are semi-aquatic and prefer habitats near water. They feed on a variety of fish and amphibians.
When threatened, Plain-Bellied Water Snakes have several defense mechanisms:
- Attempting to escape
- Biting
- Releasing a foul odor
- Playing dead
Unlike some water snakes, they may leave the water to escape threats on land.
Natural predators of these snakes include:
- Largemouth bass
- Kingsnakes
- Cottonmouths
- Egrets
- Hawks
Plain-Bellied Water Snakes play an important role in their ecosystem, helping to control populations of fish and amphibians.
9. Redbelly Snake
The redbelly snake is a small woodland creature. It typically grows to 4-10 inches long.
This snake is known for its unique defense mechanism of playing dead when threatened.
When faced with danger, the redbelly snake will flip onto its back.
This exposes its bright red belly, which can startle predators. The snake may even release musk to make itself less appealing.
Redbelly snakes come in various colors. Their backs can be:
- Bright orange
- Brown
- Gray
- Nearly black
Some individuals have a brown or orange stripe down their back. This variety in coloration makes them fascinating to observe.
These snakes prefer moist environments. They often hide under rocks, logs, or leaf litter. During wet weather, they may be seen more frequently as they follow soil moisture gradients.
Redbelly snakes eat small prey like slugs, snails, and worms. Their diet helps control pest populations in their habitats.
Despite their small size, redbelly snakes play an important role in forest ecosystems.
Their unique defense strategy and colorful appearance make them a captivating subject for snake enthusiasts.
