Rare, cobra-like snake spotted at Brazos Bend State Park after floodwaters recede

A rare eastern hognose snake was recently spotted at the Brazos Bend State Park. The snakes are named after the upturned snout they use for digging and are known for mimicking the look of the highly venomous cobra snake when they feel threatened. less A rare eastern hognose snake was recently spotted at the Brazos Bend State Park. The snakes are named after the upturned snout they use for digging and are known for mimicking the look of the highly venomous ... more Photo: Brazos Bend State Park Photo: Brazos Bend State Park Image 1 of / 45 Caption Close Rare, cobra-like snake spotted at Brazos Bend State Park after floodwaters recede 1 / 45 Back to Gallery

A rare cobra-like snake was spotted at Brazos Bend State Park Sunday despite the recent rains that flooded areas of the park.

Park officials wrote in a Facebook post the rare sighting is an eastern hognose, named after the upturned snout they use for digging. The hognose officials spotted is orange and black in color, but the snakes can also take on yellow, gray, brown, olive or red coloring.

The rare snake put on a dramatic display for park officials in photos they shared via Facebook.

"Their first line of defense tends to be what you see in the pictures here," officials said. "They will make themselves look larger, raise their heads, and flatten the skin of their necks to mimic a cobra."

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Staying true to its drama queen personality, the snakes are "quite the little actors" and are known to play dead (they even hang their tongue out of their mouth sometimes) when approached by a predator or a human.

"...Also they can spray a foul, musky smell to really appear dead and deter predators from wanting them," officials said.

Park visitors who may encounter the rare snakes are advised not to approach them as they could strike in defense. The snakes have a mild venom that is not harmful to humans, officials said.

"Hognoses are amazing snakes, and truly impressive creatures, but just a reminder, if you spot one of these beauties out in the wild, admire them and take some pictures, but keep at a distance and let them be," officials said. "Remember, we want to respect our animals and keep them wild."

Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message

