Occurs in sandhills, scrub, high pine and turkey oak woodlands, hardwood hammocks, and dry river floodplains. It feeds mainly on spadefoot, southern, and oak toads. However, occasionally it may eat other frogs, lizards, and small rodents. It lays eggs. Breeding takes place between April and August.
Males often follow the female around for several days prior to courtship and copulation.
Hognose snakes are frequently confused with pygmy rattlesnakes.