Gopher Snakes live in pine forests to treeless prairies to rocky deserts, grasslands, prairies, and coastal dunes. Their range extends Southern Canada, western and central U.S. and into Mexico.
Contents
- 1 Where can you find gopher snakes?
- 2 Where do gopher snakes like to live?
- 3 Where do gopher snakes hide?
- 4 Do gopher snakes bite humans?
- 5 Can you pick up a gopher snake?
- 6 Where do gopher snakes lay their eggs?
- 7 Do gopher snakes keep rattlesnakes away?
- 8 Do gopher snakes look like rattlesnakes?
- 9 Do gopher snakes climb trees?
- 10 Can a gopher snake eat a small dog?
- 11 How do you get rid of gopher snakes?
- 12 How do I identify a gopher snake?
- 13 Are gopher snakes aggressive?
- 14 How long is a gopher snake?
- 15 What are gopher snakes good for?
Where can you find gopher snakes?
Range/ Habitat: The gopher snake is one of the most widespread snakes in North America. Its range extends from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans, as far north as southern Canada, and as far south as Veracruz and southern Sinaloa, Mexico, including Baja California.
Where do gopher snakes like to live?
Habitat. Given their wide distribution, gopher snakes can thrive in many types of habitats. They can live in woods and forests, deserts, rocky bluffs, prairies, agricultural fields, shrublands and thickets, according to ADW.
Where do gopher snakes hide?
The gopher snake makes its home in any number of different habitats. They can live in arid deserts, coastal dunes, grasslands, open scrublands, and coniferous forests, to name a few. Within these habitats, their favorite hideouts include burrows, dense vegetation, rocky outcroppings, and trees.
Do gopher snakes bite humans?
They do not have poisonous venom, which can severely hurt humans and in some cases result in death. In different cases, gopher snakes are known to attack with their mouths closed rather than with an open mouth. Bites are not out of the question, gopher snakes can bite but use it as a last resort.
Can you pick up a gopher snake?
Gopher snakes are active during the day, they’re very curious and enjoy investigating new things in their enclosures. In general, most are perfectly docile and allow themselves to be handled without a fuss.
Where do gopher snakes lay their eggs?
Gopher snakes mate in the spring, laying groups of 3 – 24 cream colored to white eggs that are between 2 and 4 ¼ inches long. Their eggs can be found in the summer months in sandy soil or under rocks. The young hatch in 64 – 79 days and are 12 – 18 inches long.
Do gopher snakes keep rattlesnakes away?
Because they compete with rattlesnakes for food and territory, gopher snakes will help keep rattlers away, notes the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Both species of snakes live in the burrows of other animals and under rocks and logs. Both snakes eat small birds, eggs and mammals.
Do gopher snakes look like rattlesnakes?
Gopher snakes and rattlesnakes resemble each other only superficially. They have the same sort of markings and colors, and both snakes can be a bit short-tempered. But they differ in length.
Do gopher snakes climb trees?
Slow-moving, the gopher snake investigates burrows, rocky crevices and even climbs trees in search of prey. Adult snakes hunt small rodents, young rabbits, lizards, birds and occasionally other snakes, usually by their sense of smell.
Can a gopher snake eat a small dog?
Rodents are a common prey for vipers. Very small vipers, usually youngsters, prey on newborn mice or rodents who are still quite little — the prey must be small enough for the snake to swallow. Vipers also eat adult mice and rats, chipmunks, squirrels, voles and even prairie dogs if they’re the right size.
How do you get rid of gopher snakes?
11 Ways to Get rid of Snakes In Your Yard and Garden
- Spray it with a hose. Drench the snake from a distance.
- Trap the snake.
- Eliminate food sources.
- Get rid of standing water.
- Trap the snake.
- Fill burrows.
- Remove shelter.
- Use smoke.
How do I identify a gopher snake?
Color and markings: Gopher snakes are usually a lighter color of tan or brown, covered in darker splotches of mostly brown or black—however the colors can vary in individual snakes. Often these markings will mimic the coloring of the primary vegetation from the area the snake is in.
Are gopher snakes aggressive?
Yes, these species of snakes can be very good pets. Pituophis catenifer catenfier do not have venom glands and as such Gopher Snakes are non-venomous. Gopher Snakes are not very aggressive and do not bite easily. If Gopher Snakes are well taken care of, they can live up to 30 years.
How long is a gopher snake?
Pacific gopher snakes are large strongly built snakes with an average adult length of 48 to 66 inches. Their body’s upper side is white, yellow, or light gray with many brown or red blotches, and their underside is white with dark spots along the sides.
What are gopher snakes good for?
They eat small mammals, birds, and lizards. Gopher snakes are beneficial in that they help control rodent populations, but because of their tendency to mimic rattlesnakes, people often mistakenly kill them. Snakes do not have ears or eardrums but can hear airborne sounds.
