Beware: New Jersey is Home to a Zombie Snake

I never understood the fear of snakes many people have.

Growing up as a very short girl, dogs terrified me. They would jump on me and I would fall over, that was scary.

Most people have very limited interactions with snakes. The closest most people get to one is behind glass at a zoo.

I spent my childhood volunteering at Cattus Island with the reptiles because of my love of snakes.

New Jersey is home to many snakes, one in particular has a weird defense mechanism.

This peculiar snake plays dead like an opossum as a defense mechanism.

The internet has dubbed this snake as the "zombie snake," which makes a good headline right?

The hognose snake, or also known as a puff adder, is found all over the United States and is this "zombie snake."

The front of the snake's head has a slight upturn, giving it a pig-like appearance, hence the name hognose.

Just like opossums play possum, hognose snakes play dead as a way to protect themselves. Most animals won't eat what's already dead, which makes this a great way to stay alive.

I've seen one in the wild once when spending the day with my brothers and grandparents at Harry Wright Lake in Manchester.

DISCLAIMER: 

Don't do what this guy did...don't mess with wild animals.

Hognose snakes are non-venomous and are not known for biting humans, so you have nothing to fear.

Even though they are not harmful to humans, leave them alone. You should never touch a wild animal, for your safety and for theirs.