Hognose snakes are part of the family Colubridae and the genus Heterodon. Common nicknames for Hognose snakes include Puff Adder, the Blowing Adder, the Flathead, Spreading Adder, and the Hissing Adder. Please note though, the nickname Puff Adder is only a nickname, and is not scientifically correct as there is a different, highly-venomous snake called the Puff Adder that resides in Africa. Many people fear these snakes due to the snakes' nature to spread their hoods as if they were cobras, hiss loudly, and strike. Hognose snakes, however, will not generally bite in self-defense, but rather resort to the methods listed above to scare away predators.
