Great Basin Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer deserticola • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pituophis, Species: Pituophis catenifer
Venomous Status
Non-venomous (Aglyphous)
Danger Level
Harmless (Low Risk) - Generally harmless to humans, though they can deliver a painful bite if provoked and are known for defensive posturing.
Geographic Range
Western United States including the Great Basin region; southeastern Oregon, southern Idaho, Nevada, Utah, western Colorado, and parts of California and Arizona.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN) - Widespread and common, though habitat loss and road mortality are localized threats.
Physical Description
Tan or cream ground color with large, dark brown or black square-shaped blotches along the back. The head is relatively small with a dark line running from the eye to the angle of the jaw. Large, keeled scales give the snake a rough texture. The pupils are round.
Size & Dimensions
Specimen appears to be an adult around 3-4 feet long. The species typically ranges from 36 to 72 inches (91–183 cm) in length.
Habitat
Deserts, sagebrush flats, grasslands, and open woodlands. Prefers arid environments from sea level up to approximately 9,000 feet (2,700 meters). Often found near rodent burrows.
Behavior & Temperament
Primarily diurnal but may become nocturnal in extreme heat. Known for a loud, dramatic defensive display involving hissing, flattening the head, and vibrating the tail to mimic a rattlesnake. Generally docile if not harassed.
Diet & Feeding
Generalist carnivore; primarily eats rodents, but also consumes birds, eggs, and occasionally lizards. They are powerful constrictors that often forage actively in burrows.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Clutches typically range from 3 to 24 eggs, usually laid in early summer and hatching in late summer or autumn.
Venom Profile
Venom Type
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
AI-generated — see a qualified source if acting on this. For any snakebite, call emergency services immediately.
Look-alikes
Often confused with Western Rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis/oreganus). Distinguishable by its round pupils (vs. vertical), lack of heat-sensing pits, presence of large head plates (vs. small scales), and a long, pointed tail without rattles.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN) - Widespread and common, though habitat loss and road mortality are localized threats.
Cultural Significance
Highly valued by farmers and gardeners as a natural form of pest control due to their heavy consumption of crop-damaging rodents. Often featured in educational programs about rattlesnake mimicry.
Notable Features
Features a specialized epiglottis that allows the snake to hiss much louder than most other species. It is a classic example of Batesian mimicry, where a harmless species evolves to look and sound like a dangerous one for protection.