REPTILES: SNAKES

Gopher Snake, Pituophis catenifer

Family Colubridae (Colubrid Snakes)

Size: 48"–96"

Range: Lower elevations of Colorado

Habitat: Desert, pine-oak woodlands, rocky areas, scrubland, prairies

The gopher snake is widespread, large, and powerful. It has more than a dozen subspecies, and goes by many common names, including pine snake, pine-gopher, and bull snake. Its body is thick, with ridged scales on the upper surface; the eyes have round pupils. The base color is light brown, pale gray, or yellowish, heavily marked with reddish-brown or blackish blotches and spots. Some varieties are nearly solid black; others have distinct, lengthwise stripes. Chiefly active during the day, gopher snakes hide in rodent or tortoise burrows, crevices, or under rocks during the day but often are found during the night in warm weather. They hunt on the ground, in trees, or in burrows for rodents and other reptiles, leaping at prey and constricting it with their strong bodies. If confronted, the gopher snake will flatten its head, hiss, and quiver its tail.