Gophersnake
Pituophis catenifer • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pituophis, Species: P. catenifer
Widely distributed throughout western North America, ranging from southwestern Canada, through the western and central United States, and down into northern Mexico.
Look up Gophersnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pituophis, Species: P. catenifer
Conservation
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, as the species has a massive geographic range, large overall population, and tolerates habitat modification well, though individuals face mortality from vehicle strikes and intentional killing.
Physical Description
Characterized by a yellowish, cream, or light brown background color overlaid with a series of dark brown, black, or reddish-brown blotches along the back and alternating spots on the sides. It has a slightly pointed head that is distinct from the neck, rounded pupils, and keeled scales giving the body a somewhat rough or matte texture.
Size & Dimensions
This particular specimen appears to be a juvenile or subadult, roughly 1.5 to 2.5 feet in length. Typical adult size ranges from 3.5 to 7 feet, with exceptionally large specimens occasionally exceeding 8 feet.
Habitat
Found in a diverse array of habitats including arid deserts, grasslands, scrublands, chaparral, agricultural fields, and open coniferous forests, ranging from sea level up to elevations of around 9,000 feet.
Diet & Feeding
Predominantly feeds on small mammals such as rodents, rabbits, and gophers, as well as birds, bird eggs, and occasionally lizards. It is an active forager and ambush hunter that subdues prey primarily through constriction.
Reproduction
Oviparous species that mates in the spring. Females typically lay clutches of 2 to 24 eggs in underground burrows or beneath rocks and logs during early summer, with incubation lasting around 65 to 75 days.
Look-alikes
Frequently confused with rattlesnakes due to its similar coloration, blotched pattern, and defensive behavior of vibrating its tail in dry leaves to mimic a rattle. It can be distinguished by the lack of a rattle, a narrower head, and round pupils instead of vertical slits.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, as the species has a massive geographic range, large overall population, and tolerates habitat modification well, though individuals face mortality from vehicle strikes and intentional killing.
Cultural Significance
Highly beneficial to agriculture and human settlements due to its voracious appetite for rodent pests. In popular culture, it is often misunderstood and persecuted because of its defensive mimicry of rattlesnakes.
Notable Features
Renowned for its dramatic defensive displays, which include hissing loudly by forcing air through a modified epiglottis, flattening its head, vibrating its tail rapidly to produce a rattling sound, and striking aggressively when cornered.