Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pituophis, Species: P. catenifer
Western North America, ranging from southwestern Canada through the western United States down into northern Mexico.
Look up Gopher Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pituophis, Species: P. catenifer
Conservation
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution, large population size, and tolerance to habitat modification, though localized populations face threats from road mortality and habitat loss.
Physical Description
Characterized by a yellowish, cream, or tan background coloration overlaid with a series of dark brown, black, or reddish-brown blotches along the back and smaller spots on the flanks. It has a somewhat pointed head distinct from the neck, rounded pupils, and keeled scales giving the body a slightly textured appearance.
Size & Dimensions
The pictured specimen appears to be an adult or sub-adult measuring approximately 3 to 4 feet. Typical adults range from 3 to 7 feet (90 to 210 cm) in total length, with maximum recorded lengths approaching 8 feet.
Habitat
Found in a wide variety of habitats including deserts, prairies, scrublands, brushlands, chaparral, agricultural lands, and coniferous forests, from sea level up to around 9,000 feet.
Diet & Feeding
Consists primarily of small mammals such as mice, rats, gophers, and voles, as well as birds, bird eggs, and occasionally lizards. They are active foragers that use constriction to subdue their prey.
Reproduction
Oviparous species that mates in the spring. Females lay clutches typically ranging from 3 to 24 eggs in underground burrows or beneath rocks and decaying logs during the summer, which hatch after an incubation period of about two months.
Look-alikes
Frequently confused with rattlesnakes due to its similar coloration, blotched pattern, and defensive behavior of vibrating its tail against dry leaves to produce a buzzing sound; however, it lacks the rattlesnake's distinct rattle, facial pits, and broad triangular head.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution, large population size, and tolerance to habitat modification, though localized populations face threats from road mortality and habitat loss.
Cultural Significance
Plays a vital role in local ecosystems and agricultural areas by naturally regulating rodent populations, making them highly beneficial to farmers.
Notable Features
Known for dramatic defensive displays when threatened, which include hissing loudly by forcing air through a modified glottis, inflating the body, flattening the head, and vibrating the tail rapidly to mimic rattlesnakes.