Species profile
Gophersnake
Pituophis catenifer
At a glance
Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 69,321 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Arizona, and Colorado the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Can reach up to 7 feet in length, one of the longest snakes in western North America.
- Mimics rattlesnakes by flattening its head, vibrating its tail, and producing a loud hiss when threatened.
- A powerful constrictor that preys mainly on rodents, rabbits, and ground-nesting birds.
- Can live over 20 years in captivity, with wild lifespans typically shorter.
- Also known as the bullsnake across much of the Great Plains.
Where Gophersnake are seen
Background
Pituophis catenifer is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to North America. Nine subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies, Pituophis catenifer catenifer, described here. This snake is often mistaken for the prairie rattlesnake, but can be easily distinguished from a rattlesnake by the lack of black and white banding on its tail and by the shape of…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Gophersnake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.