[3] Mature giant hognose snakes can measure between 130 and 180 cm (4 ft. to nearly 6 ft., or between 1-2 meters) in length, and be roughly the thickness of an average adult human's arm.

[4][2] Similarly to the Heterodon or Lystrophis genera of new-world hognoses, the Madagascar giant hognose, when threatened, will raise its head, open its mouth and inflate the skin around its neck and chin, superficially mimicking a cobra (or even a bearded dragon) in defensive posture, in an attempt to look larger and more intimidating.

[2] Studies have shown that the giant hognose does not use this "envenomation" technique to outright kill their prey, instead relying mainly on constriction.

Above all, the people of Madagascar, being highly superstitious and wary of evil spirits, still remain the giant hognose snake's biggest threat.

[2] Many Madagascar giant hognose snakes are killed on-sight, either being beheaded or otherwise dismembered; they are nearly universally-disliked on the island, despite being of no threat to human life or limb.