In Loving Memory of Hoggy the Hognose Snake

Ally here! It is with a heavy heart that I present to you Hoggy the Hognose snake’s Obituary. This was a hard one to write Foley Fam, I’m not going to lie. Hoggy had been at Camp Foley for as long as I have been coming to camp as a camper. He was one of the first snakes I ever held and was one of my favorite parts of Nature class. He taught me so much and knowing he won’t be here this summer to meet so many more campers is hitting hard. Keep reading below to learn about Hoggy and the impact he made on Camp Foley.

Hoggy the Hognose Snake

Beloved Camp Foley Resident, 2001–2025

It is with heavy hearts and grateful spirits that we say goodbye to a true Camp Foley legend: Hoggy the Hognose Snake, who slithered his way into our hearts and spent 25 unforgettable years as one of the scaly star of the Camp Foley Nature Center. Hoggy passed away peacefully this spring, surrounded by the cozy warmth of his terrarium and the memories of thousands of tiny hands that gently held him with awe, wonder, and maybe just a little hesitation at first.

Hoggy was a Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus), a harmless, non-venomous species known for their upturned snouts (perfect for burrowing) and dramatic, often theatrical defensive displays—which, in Hoggy’s case, usually included a whole lot of bluffing and absolutely zero biting. Known affectionately as “the drama queen of the snake world,” Hognose snakes are famous for their adorable snoots, playful personalities, and tendency to play dead when scared (a performance Hoggy eventually retired after years of realizing that Foley campers were more fascinated than frightening).

With his beady eyes, heart-shaped face, and permanently upturned nose that gave him a constant look of smug mischief, Hoggy was undeniably cute. Campers loved learning that this “weird little guy” was one of the good guys—eating pests like mice and toads in the wild, and helping teach kids that snakes can be friends, not foes.

Generations of Foley campers met Hoggy during Nature, where he patiently let eager hands cradle him, posed for countless photos, and helped thousands of kids conquer their fear of snakes. He was a gentle ambassador for wildlife, inspiring curiosity, respect for the natural world, and a lot of “I didn’t think I’d like snakes, but now I LOVE them” moments. Hoggy wasn’t just a critter in a tank—he was a camp legend, a scaly little counselor in his own right, and the subject of many camper letters home.

Hoggy’s legacy lives on in every camper who left the nature center a little braver, a little more curious, and a lot more excited about the creatures that slither beneath our feet.

Rest in peace, Hoggy. You were one of a kind. Camp Foley won’t be the same without you, but your spirit—and your cute little snout—will live on forever in our hearts and memories.

Here are some pictures of Hoggy through the years