North Carolina Officials Want Citizens To Be Aware Of 'Zombie Snakes'

David Moye

You’ve heard of the Walking Dead, but North Carolina officials are warning locals about the crawling undead.

The state’s Department of Parks and Recreation has posted a photo on its Facebook page of a “zombie snake,” a reptile known for defending itself by lying on its back and pretending to be dead.

The eastern hognose, also known as a puff adder, is found as far south as Florida and Texas and as far north as Minnesota, according to ABC News.

Although some have claimed the snake can shoot venom as far as 25 feet, experts tell the network that’s completely false and there’s little to fear.

Although the “zombie snake” nickname sounds scary, officials at North Carolina State Parks and Recreation told CBS News the eastern hognose is “a mostly harmless snake that rarely ever bites humans.”

It added:

″[The snake] puts on quite a dramatic display to deter predators, including puffing up its head to look more like a cobra or pretending to be dead briefly. Nevertheless, they are NOT aggressive and rarely bite people.”

Department spokeswoman Katie Hall was quick to defend the snakes to USA Today.

“We love hognose snakes,” she said. “They put on this really dramatic display, but it’s kind of adorable.”

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Rattlesnake

These snakes are commonly found throughout North and <a href="http://www.theactivetimes.com/content/11-reasons-you-need-explore-south-america-slideshow" target="_hplink">South America</a>. They are the largest of the venomous snakes in the United States, according to the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/snakes/types.html" target="_hplink">CDC</a>. Depending on the species, they can range from one to eight feet. Be careful during hot summer nights when they are most active. They will use their rattles as a warning to you when they feel threatened. <em>Photo Credit: Pixabay</a></em> <a href="http://www.theactivetimes.com/content/world-s-most-dangerous-snakes-0/slide-2?slide=4?slide=4?slide=4?slide=4?slide=4?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=travel" target="_hplink"><strong>Click Here to See The World’s Most Dangerous Snakes</strong></a>

Vipers

Vipers snakes are found all over the world, with a few exceptions. They are <a href="http://www.theactivetimes.com/fitness/n/dog-breeds-have-attacked-most-people" target="_hplink">quick tempered</a> and very fast. A Vipers bite will cause immediate pain, swelling and bleeding. The Gaboon Viper specifically, has the longest fangs of any snake in the world. It likes to ambush its prey and attack by surprise. <em>Photo Credit: Pixabay</a></em>

Blue Krait

This snake is not only one of the most venomous snakes in the world when it comes to humans, but it likes to bite other snakes as well. <a href="http://www.wild-facts.com/2012/wild-fact-139-watch-your-step-blue-krait/" target="_hplink">According</a> to WildFacts, one bite from this snake is <a href="http://www.theactivetimes.com/adventure/survival/10-ways-beach-can-kill-you" target="_hplink">enough to kill you</a>; when it bites you, its venom enters your body fast – it is apparently 15 times more deadly than that of a Cobra snake. <em>Photo Credit: Shutterstock</a></em> <a href="http://www.theactivetimes.com/content/world-s-most-dangerous-snakes-0/slide-4?slide=4?slide=4?slide=4?slide=4?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=travel" target="_hplink"><strong>Click Here to See The World’s Most Dangerous Snakes</strong></a>

Death Adder

Supposedly, the Death Adder was the snake that Cleopatra used to kill herself. One bite from this venomous snake, and respiratory arrest and paralysis are likely to occur. Without treatment, 50 percent of bites <a href="http://www.theactivetimes.com/content/world-s-deadliest-sharks" target="_hplink">usually lead to death</a>. <em>Photo Credit: Thinkstock</a></em>

Sea Snakes

These snakes have <a href="http://www.theactivetimes.com/content/most-dangerous-sea-creatures-we-never-want-encounter" target="_hplink">adapted to life in salty sea water</a>. They are commonly found in the Indian and Pacific Ocean and they come in many different sizes and colors. They have very strong venom and are <a href="http://www.theactivetimes.com/10-summer-dangers-you-should-know-about-slideshow" target="_hplink">poisonous to humans</a>. However, they will not usually strike unless they feel threatened. *Fun fact: They can reach to approximately 9 feet in length. <a href="http://www.theactivetimes.com/content/world-s-most-dangerous-snakes-0/slide-6?slide=4?slide=4?slide=4?slide=4?slide=4?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=travel" target="_hplink"><strong>Click Here to See The World’s Most Dangerous Snakes</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit: Shutterstock</a></em>

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