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Definition of mexican hognose snake
mexican hognose snake
Plural:Mexican hognose snakes
mexican hognose snake Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
10
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A small, mildly venomous species of colubrid snake (Heterodon kennerlyi) native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, recognized by its heavily keeled scales, stout body, and a highly modified, upturned rostral scale used for digging up amphibians.
Example
"When threatened by a predator, the Mexican hognose snake will often flatten its neck to mimic a cobra before dramatically rolling over to play dead."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The name derives from its native geographical range spanning northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, combined with its distinctive, sharply upturned snout that resembles a pig's nose, an adaptation used for burrowing in sandy soils.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mexican hognose snake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mexican hognose snake