Another interesting article in the Pine Barrens Society Newsletter about the Eastern Hognose snake, which is very rare to see in our pine barrens.
If we were to step back in time, say a hundred years ago, we[/I]
would find a Long Island much different from the one we see
today. We would find hardwood forests to the north, coastal
marshes and dune complexes to the south, meadows, grasslands,
and wetlands in west-central locales, and a quarter-million
acres of Pine Barrens in the east-central regions. Simply
stated, we would find an island that bridged the gap between
northern and southern ecosystems and boasted an incredible
assortment of natural diversity, both in terms of habitats and
species. I often wonder why so many people are surprised by
this. After all, Long Island is the largest island in the continental
United States, and thus able to provide the size and
space necessary to support its natural wonders.
Let us return to our trip back in time to 1908. We find ourselves
on Rockaway Beach along the south shore of Queens. A
scientist has taken note of a “hieroglyphic network” of small
trails in the sand. These trails were not formed by legions of
beachgoers or children with plastic toys as we might expect
today, but rather by young Eastern Hognose Snakes
(Heterodon platyrhinos) moving and hunting toads among
dunes of this unspoiled paradise. And these trails were not
made by just one or a few snakes, but by "amazing numbers"
of this highly "abundant" species. This scenario is an actual
account titled "Long Island Snakes" from a 1915 edition of the
scientific journal Copeia. Today Rockaway Beach lies in the
shadows of Kennedy Airport and boasts run-down housing
projects and garbage filled beaches. Hognose Snakes are but a
faded memory on these shores.
Similar historic accounts provide a chronological record of
the Hognose as it disappeared throughout Long Island. As subdivisions,
roads, and strip-malls appeared, open habitat, toads,
and Hognose Snakes vanished. Incidentally, the loss of these
populations in Suffolk seems to have sealed the fate for the
less common melanistic (black) and chocolate (brown) "color
morphs." (Hognose have several different color types.)
By the mid-1990s, most experts considered Hognose to be
all but extinct from the entirety of Long Island. I eventually
began to lose hope. Then it happened one day while on a trip
to the New Jersey Pine Barrens. There it was right in front of
me; its pale beige color, brown blotches, distinct upturned
snout, stout body, and unique disposition. I was elated. Then it
began to live up to its famous reputation. First it hissed loudly.
Then it flattened its head like a cobra and reared up. Next,[/LEFT]
[/SIZE][/FONT]
If we were to step back in time, say a hundred years ago, we[/I]
would find a Long Island much different from the one we see
today. We would find hardwood forests to the north, coastal
marshes and dune complexes to the south, meadows, grasslands,
and wetlands in west-central locales, and a quarter-million
acres of Pine Barrens in the east-central regions. Simply
stated, we would find an island that bridged the gap between
northern and southern ecosystems and boasted an incredible
assortment of natural diversity, both in terms of habitats and
species. I often wonder why so many people are surprised by
this. After all, Long Island is the largest island in the continental
United States, and thus able to provide the size and
space necessary to support its natural wonders.
Let us return to our trip back in time to 1908. We find ourselves
on Rockaway Beach along the south shore of Queens. A
scientist has taken note of a “hieroglyphic network” of small
trails in the sand. These trails were not formed by legions of
beachgoers or children with plastic toys as we might expect
today, but rather by young Eastern Hognose Snakes
(Heterodon platyrhinos) moving and hunting toads among
dunes of this unspoiled paradise. And these trails were not
made by just one or a few snakes, but by "amazing numbers"
of this highly "abundant" species. This scenario is an actual
account titled "Long Island Snakes" from a 1915 edition of the
scientific journal Copeia. Today Rockaway Beach lies in the
shadows of Kennedy Airport and boasts run-down housing
projects and garbage filled beaches. Hognose Snakes are but a
faded memory on these shores.
Similar historic accounts provide a chronological record of
the Hognose as it disappeared throughout Long Island. As subdivisions,
roads, and strip-malls appeared, open habitat, toads,
and Hognose Snakes vanished. Incidentally, the loss of these
populations in Suffolk seems to have sealed the fate for the
less common melanistic (black) and chocolate (brown) "color
morphs." (Hognose have several different color types.)
By the mid-1990s, most experts considered Hognose to be
all but extinct from the entirety of Long Island. I eventually
began to lose hope. Then it happened one day while on a trip
to the New Jersey Pine Barrens. There it was right in front of
me; its pale beige color, brown blotches, distinct upturned
snout, stout body, and unique disposition. I was elated. Then it
began to live up to its famous reputation. First it hissed loudly.
Then it flattened its head like a cobra and reared up. Next,[/LEFT]
[/SIZE][/FONT]
The Eastern Hognose Snake, a master of bluff, pulls a fake disappearing
act on Long Island.
act on Long Island.
as I reached in, it began to strike menacingly. Despite my
books having warned that this was merely the ruse of a completely
harmless species, I was still terrified. Finally, I summoned
my courage, fought the urge to recoil, and eventually
reached a stalemate with the snake. In one final act of trickery,
the snake began to writhe excitedly, then it coiled up, rolled
over, and played dead with its tongue hanging limp all the
while. It seemed to peer at me as I touched it. Eventually I
flipped it over only to be amused as the snake flipped itself
back upside down and "died" again!
For the most part, the behavior of Hognose Snakes is meant
to deter predators, however the purpose of certain behaviors
such as playing dead is still a topic of debate. The encounter
had recharged my spirit and gave me hope that maybe one or a
few hidden populations still existed deep within their remaining
historic habitats on Long Island such as the Pine Barrens.
Several years passed with no good news. Then it happened.
Sometime between 2000 and 2001, several confirmed sightings
of Eastern Hognose Snakes were reported in the Long
Island Pine Barrens.
A few Hognose populations definitely remain, however the
species is exceedingly rare. I have seen about forty Hognose
and am aware of approximately ten additional sightings by
other people over the past few years. This species needs space,
lots of space. Some Hognose use up to 80 acres! Unfortunately
Long Island is losing space each year. Hognose also need specific
types of space, with open scrub or grasslands being essential
to their survival. Unfortunately, this type of habitat is quite
rare. There are nearly 3 million people on Long Island and
only a few small populations of Hognose Snakes. If we want
to assure the continued success of these gentle beasts, we need
to respect them in the wild, avoid harming or capturing them
and support efforts to preserve open land. If this happens, the
Eastern Hognose Snake might stick around for a while longer.
books having warned that this was merely the ruse of a completely
harmless species, I was still terrified. Finally, I summoned
my courage, fought the urge to recoil, and eventually
reached a stalemate with the snake. In one final act of trickery,
the snake began to writhe excitedly, then it coiled up, rolled
over, and played dead with its tongue hanging limp all the
while. It seemed to peer at me as I touched it. Eventually I
flipped it over only to be amused as the snake flipped itself
back upside down and "died" again!
For the most part, the behavior of Hognose Snakes is meant
to deter predators, however the purpose of certain behaviors
such as playing dead is still a topic of debate. The encounter
had recharged my spirit and gave me hope that maybe one or a
few hidden populations still existed deep within their remaining
historic habitats on Long Island such as the Pine Barrens.
Several years passed with no good news. Then it happened.
Sometime between 2000 and 2001, several confirmed sightings
of Eastern Hognose Snakes were reported in the Long
Island Pine Barrens.
A few Hognose populations definitely remain, however the
species is exceedingly rare. I have seen about forty Hognose
and am aware of approximately ten additional sightings by
other people over the past few years. This species needs space,
lots of space. Some Hognose use up to 80 acres! Unfortunately
Long Island is losing space each year. Hognose also need specific
types of space, with open scrub or grasslands being essential
to their survival. Unfortunately, this type of habitat is quite
rare. There are nearly 3 million people on Long Island and
only a few small populations of Hognose Snakes. If we want
to assure the continued success of these gentle beasts, we need
to respect them in the wild, avoid harming or capturing them
and support efforts to preserve open land. If this happens, the
Eastern Hognose Snake might stick around for a while longer.
