Heterodon

Heterodon is a genus of harmless colubrid snakes, family Colubridae, formally established by Latreille and Sonnini in 1801, comprising three currently recognized species, endemic to North America and commonly called hognose snakes, hog-nosed snakes, North American hog-nosed snakes or, colloquially, puff adders, a nickname not to be confused with the venomous African vipers of the genus Bitis. Members are stout with upturned snouts believed to aid in digging through sandy soil, and the genus is perhaps best known for its characteristic threat displays.