Stats

Lifespan: 12-15 yrs
Size: Large
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Temperate grassland
Range: North America
Movement: Slithering
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Camouflage
Status: Common

About

The gopher snake is a large, non-venomous constrictor found across western North America that hunts rodents and ground-nesting birds in grasslands, chaparral, and farmland. When threatened, it flattens its head into a triangular shape, hisses loudly, and vibrates its tail against dry leaves — a convincing rattlesnake impression that fools many predators.

Life cycle

1.
hatchling
A miniature snake emerges from the egg or from its mother (live-bearers), already venomous or strong-coiled in some species.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile sheds its skin, grows quickly, and hunts smaller prey than the adults.
3.
adult
Fully grown at adult length and pattern.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Pituophis
Species: Pituophis catenifer