Sonoran Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer affinis
A desert-adapted gopher snake subspecies with a lighter, more contrasting pattern than its coastal relatives, common throughout the Sonoran Desert.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 1.2-2.0 m (4-6.5 ft)
- Range
- Southwestern United States and northern Mexico, including the Sonoran Desert region
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Overview
The Sonoran Gopher Snake is a large, robust colubrid found across the arid and semi-arid landscapes of the American Southwest and northern Mexico. It is closely related to other gopher snake subspecies and shares their rodent-hunting habits and defensive bluffing behavior.
It is a beneficial species in agricultural and desert ecosystems, controlling rodent populations.
How to identify it
- Cream to yellowish-tan background with dark brown blotches, generally lighter and more contrasting than coastal subspecies
- Blotches tend to be more widely spaced
- Keeled dorsal scales
- Small head barely wider than neck, round pupils
- Distinguished from rattlesnakes by slender tail and absence of a rattle
Habitat & range
Inhabits desert flats, scrubland, grassland, and rocky foothills throughout the Sonoran Desert and adjacent regions, often near rodent burrow systems.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Active by day in cooler seasons and at dusk/night during hot summer months. Preys on rodents, rabbits, birds, and eggs, killing prey by constriction. Displays loud hissing and tail vibration when threatened. Lays eggs in summer.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sonoran Gopher Snake dangerous?
No, it is non-venomous and poses no danger to humans beyond a bluffing defensive display.
How can I tell it from a rattlesnake?
It lacks a rattle and has a narrow, tapering tail instead of a segmented rattle.
What habitat does it prefer?
Desert scrub, grassland, and rocky foothills across the Sonoran Desert region.
Is it common?
Yes, it is one of the most frequently encountered large snakes in its range.
Sonoran Gopher Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Sonoran Gopher Snake.
