stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
380464
781
29
This is my pet, Sematary. He’s a western plains hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) who I’ve had since he was a hatchling; he turned one this past May. Because Sematary is easy-going, small, & derpy looking I thought you guys might want to learn some snake body language from him?!
In this video, you see a happy & relaxed snek. He’s moving in the silly inchworm way hognoses do, happily exploring. The slow, infrequent tongue flicks are another sign he’s just vibing :)
Wooohooo Most Viral! I love doing these Newt Scamander type posts (it’s my job irl) but they’re so hit or miss lol. I love when you guys take a minute to learn with me! If you want the fun version/to hear the song my username comes from: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT82eLFAD/
pitchwhite
I adore hognosed snakes! Tons of support from the pet world for them for new owners too. Plus, their play dead tactic is adorable.
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Hognoses > ball pythons as someone’s first snake. Ultimately, get the snake you’re most excited about! But if you’re just interested in a low stress snake as a first-time keeper, go for a hognose imo. New keepers probably won’t recognize the spider gene in their ball, which can have devastating neurological consequences (this happened to me). Hognoses rarely if ever go on the hunger strikes that ball pythons are notorious for. These can be stressful even experienced keepers!
SeeJenJen
Awww, what a sweet little guy!
realizedagain
Hog noses are so durn cute
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
He’s got such a ridiculous face, it’s my favorite
Illyriel
He's adorable.
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Thank you! He’s a good boi
KafkasKarma
+1 for that name alone
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Glad someone got it lol
TalkingSnake
Neat
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
TalkingSnake
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
That not a friendly snek. Do not boop that snoot
madguy50
Ever let the noodle loose in the house? It keep wandering or find special spot? Very nice dog.
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Ohh haven’t been asked that one before; good question. No free-roaming reptiles in this house. They’re all in very large bioactive enclosures; there’s no benefit to letting them roam around on cold hardwood floors with a huge risk of losing one. I‘ve also never introduced any of my reptiles to each other or our dogs. Again: there’s no benefit to these viral video behaviors but there is an enormous amount of risk
Raxenlade
Snek just vibin'
distraingotnobrakes
I bet if you’re a snake it feels super comfy to be wound around a warm familiar hand
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
He tolerates me for my body heat lol. Though he’s musked on my husband a few times but never on me so there’s some differentiation
homoerection
What does missing mean? He likes you or no likes you?
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Musking? It’s where snakes release this really foul smelling liquid from their cloaca, kinda similar to a skunk. Usually happens when you’ve picked one up. It’s a defense mechanism they’ll often use before striking; the gross factor usually gets you to put them down lol
nullbr
I dont want to be buried in it
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Meeee neither. Though the part that freaked me out most was Zelda. Still have nightmares occasionally about her scene in the original movie
firstandlastandalways
(snake jazz)
FilthAndRuin
an easy-going hognose? unpossible!
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
He’s my favorite…don’t tell the others. I’ve had him since he was a hatchling so he’s very well socialized! But Sematary has been sweet since I got him; he’s just a good boi
DeadOnionSaysWhat
Rescued a baby yellowbellied racer this morning, I am on point (he just wasn't tall enough to get up the curb from the parking lot and we are having triple digit temps today).
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
I hope karma comes at you threefold for that :) thank you my dude!
KYGELL91
Nice Hope rope
Captaincuttlefish
I like when Hognose go upside down and are like blaahhh I am dead
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
They are drama queens to the max! Sematary is actually very well mannered for a hognose. He’s never played dead, but he does hood up & get hissy occasionally (usually when I’m offering him food that he doesn’t want).
Lycanthian
My western hognose (Jamesford) never plays dead either, some do but it’s a trait more common in eastern and southern hognoses
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
It’s also a sign they’re stressed tf out! Be happy that yours doesn’t do it :)
realizedagain
Hah that's a funny reaction. I'm going to hiss the next time someone offers me french toast.
homoerection
You….don’t like French toast?
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
You have to pull your hoody up & stretch it out like a kite. Authenticity matters
JusSayin222
Grew up in Southern California, so I have a healthy fear of snakes (especially rattlesnakes, that sound makes me shit myself), but hognose snakes are so freaking cute and docile. Thank you for sharing!
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Not fun but it is a fact! Many species are slowly evolving to not have rattles, as the loud ones are the ones humans (their biggest predators) kill. We should be conscientious about their protection because devils you hear are better than the devils you don’t
BDBottom
I hike in snek country and a rattler's heads-up about its location is always appreciated. They're polite that way and I thank them for it.
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
motherfluffer
I want a snake but my husband doesn’t like them and thinks they’ll never like us and are always plotting to kill us. Swears he heard they snuggle up to see if they can eat you yet (boa’s in particular)
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
lemme learn your husband something: snakes are dumb. I say this as someone who loves snakes, respects snakes, baby talks to snakes: they’re not smart creatures. No snake is smart enough to “plan” what they’re going to eat by sizing something up & waiting; they’re also strictly ambush predators so that myth really makes no sense. Snakes won’t bond with you the way a dog or cat would, but they all have very unique personalities & quirks. Maybe knowing those 2 things will soften him up to the idea
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
My (now) husband was terrified of snakes when we started dating…but I came with a ball python so 🤷🏼♀️ Once he was able to learn about them in a low stress environment, he got over that fear pretty quickly! Now he loves them :) He handles our ball python even more than I do. He has drawn a hard line at tarantulas, though
motherfluffer
<3 baaaaaabe we’re getting a snake hahahaha
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Fingers crossed for you!! They’re seriously amazing pets. They stay in an enclosure, rarely need vet visits (DO find an exotic vet in your area tho!), are inexpensive to feed/care for after the initial set-up, and my favorite part: they’re ✨silent✨ As a veryyy noise-sensitive adhd having bish, this is my favorite thing about them tbr. My reptiles add zero to the chaos of my house
TheFastpaws
Sneks are great!
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
kholli
I love hognoses ^-^ Found a southern hognose in the barn ages ago in Alabama. I had no idea they're super rare and may be totally gone from the state now :(
skizzit
Hognoses are awesome cause you can tell people you own a venomous snake and then you pull out a derpy little fellow.
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Hahaha yes! I have to really read my audience before bringing that up… I want people to be excited & comfortable, not freaked tf out. It’s a tricky tightrope to walk (talk?)
corpofilth
i'd classify that "no hissing, striking, or jump scares" annotation as suspiciously specific denial
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Or it’s authentic af because I teach people about just-crawly-not-creepy creatures irl but online allows me to reach a wider audience. People like learning when they feel safe & comfortable. I’m not there to use my tone, word choice, body language, etc to be friendly & inviting, so I’m trying to signal it another way. If you think something else comes across better, plz let me know & I can try that next time :)
VirtualGT
I ran into a bull snake not knowing much about them. While I’m glad he wasn’t a rattlesnake and he meant no harm, watching him curl up, shake his tail and hiss constantly while raising his head scared the hell out of me. I was worried that was his way of revving up before going after me.
Raeilgunne
I caught a baby bull snake once, raised it for about a year before we let it go in the brush. He'd curl around my wrist and lay on my hand.
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Bull snakes are notoriously cantankerous & food motivated. That + their size = snake I’m not experienced enough to keep even if I wanted to for 2,000 Alex.
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
But again: this is one I see a lottt of at work. Would anyone want me to post about the local flora & fauna I teach about?
Clockworkdancerobot
Neat Snek!
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Thanks! He’s my favorite; don’t tell the others
Clockworkdancerobot
I miss playing with snakes at Uni as a kid. They had corn snakes I liked to let loose in my shirt.
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Not a species I’ve kept, but I spot a lot of them at my job!
NightOwlRally
Also note how @OP is making slow movements, which also makes sneks more relaxed. If you're going to pick one up be sure to do it gently around their mid section and remember danger noodles don't like heights (or being choked). Feel free to correct if I'm wrong :)
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Mostly correct! Lifting a snake up above your head (just barely) is actually the best way to get them to calm down :)
lizardbones
snakes are generally ok with heights, some semi-arboreal species like corn snakes will even crawl around on outstretched arms. They dont like being held tightly or approached from above, because that is like a predator trying to kill them
NightOwlRally
Ohhh! Makes sense! honestly if a giant suddenly darkened the sun and reached down to pick me up I'd probably be hissing too
Drix1942
"This is my pet, Sematary." How long have you waited to do that?
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
I’ve been saying it since I got him because that’s the whole point! Lol. I actually introduced him as such on my page last year when I got him :)
Drix1942
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
I’m glad someone gets my nerdy humor 😂
lizardbones
BigRedTX
What kind of snek is Penne?
lizardbones
she's a corn snake with the amelanistic and stripe mutations, but low expression of both
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Cute! Corn?
lizardbones
yep. amelanistic/stripe. but low expressionon both
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Still gorgeous! 11/10 would squeal over
BeckyNosferatu
More Hognoses can be seen from these guys: https://www.youtube.com/@SnakeDiscovery They are some of the most respected in the reptile community, and Emily's favorite snake are hogs <3
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Snake Discovery is where I got my love for hognoses! I’ve been watching their channel since it started & can’t recommend it enough for keepers & the curious alike. I actually got to meet Emily & Ed a few weeks ago- they were just as friendly & bubbly in person as they are on the channel :)
BeckyNosferatu
If i EVER get to go to Wisconsin again, they're my #1 priority to see their zoo! Cute Hog, too. I wouldn't mind having one of those little guys if I ever get a snake again.
theskepticinme
Used to work at a petco and would often wear the snakes around. They seemed to like it and I was perpetually fascinated. The red tailed boa was my favorite. 12-16 inches 30-36cm before we sold it
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
These don’t constrict & therefore can’t be worn around like arboreal pythons, boas, etc. Which means if you’ve never held one you totally should! Colubrids feel completely different in how they move
WendyTheWendigo
Your spaghet is not easy to forget!
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
He’s a good noodle
BigRedTX
ArcaneDryad
Wiggle wiggle wiggle 🎵🎵
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Hognoses are also a fossorial species…but they dig rather than shimmy-shake like this desert horned viper (I’m 90% certain on the ID)
Iaimtomisbehave
Yeesh, do not tap on the glass. ;-)
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
Yeahhh that one is a true nope rope
SlyMrFox
Danger noodle
BigRedTX
Spicy sprinkles
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
And stingy
GoodEveningThisIsWhatAButtDoesPBBPPBBTT
LiterallyAWizard
GemsAreOutrageousTrulyTrulyTrulyOutrageous
The danger sprinkles...
PineappleLoopsBrOether
Plot twist: that is a gigantic play pit with full size balls. Bro’s huge.
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
That’d be both phenomenal AND horrifying. 10/10 would admire from behind glass
badgerbadgerbadgermushroommushroom
Do more. I have a hard time with snakes but this was enjoyably informative.
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
I’m happy to do more :))) I have a few featuring my spiders on my page already if you want to check those out! Just like this one, there’s no jump scares/threat poses/etc. All of my content is very purposefully friendly & approachable because I want to teach people, not freak them tf out
badgerbadgerbadgermushroommushroom
And we appreciate you doing this! I like to learn but I get so mad when I get scared. This is just great. Thank you again.
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
That’s seriously so validating to me, thank you 🥹 I get to do this as my job irl, but I’m grateful to have even greater reach via the interwebs
ayawaska
I do too, but I am a little less freaked out by them after I found the Snake Discovery channel on YouTube. Emily has a very bright, cheerful vibe and you can tell she loves teaching people about snakes. https://www.youtube.com/@SnakeDiscovery/videos
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
I do my best Emily impersonations at work erryday! She’s the best. I actually got to meet her a few weeks ago- she & Ed are exactly as amazing in person as they are on the show.
badgerbadgerbadgermushroommushroom
Thanks! I subscribed to learn more