Great Basin Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer deserticola

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

 

Characteristics:

A large (5 to 7 feet), defensive snake with a loud hiss, that vibrates its tail when nervous producing a loud whirring sound when in leaves or grasses, and that has large heavily keeled scales, and a feisty disposition. Much time is spent in rodent burrows. If disturbed while above ground it will often elevate its head well above body level and strike savagely from a modified coil. If sufficiently angered it may, while striking, actually move toward a person. This snake has a yellowish head with an enlarged rostral (nosetip) scale, and a yellowish ground color. The dorsal blotches are deep brown to black anteriorly and reddish-brown posteriorly. The lateral spots tend to join into a stripe on the neck but are discrete on the sides. Belly is yellow with prominent black spots. Scales heavily keeled. Oviparous. These snakes spend much of their time in rodent burrows.

 

Unique Features:

Large size, heavily keeled large scales, enlarged rostral (nose-tip) scale will help with identification at least to genus.

 

Habitat and Diet:

A wanderer that may be seen as it emerges from rodent burrows or crossing roadways in prairie and desert regions. Prey consists primarily of burrowing rodents.

 

Geographic Range:

AZ, CO, ID, NV, UT, WY, NM, OR, WA,