A Tiny Gopher Snake
Monday morning, workers at Baylands Park made an interesting discovery: a baby gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer).
I’d guess it was newly hatched. But, like all snakes, it was already able to navigate its environment, looking for food and avoiding threats such as monstrous people.
At this stage in its life, it’s not ready to tackle a gopher. Insects are far more likely prey. And big birds are high on its enemies list.
Mistaken Identity. In coloring, gopher snakes resemble rattlesnakes. But the snake is much more slender, its markings are saddle-shaped rather than diamond-shaped and its head is a graceful oval, not a blunt triangle.
When disturbed, adults often hiss loudly and may rattle their tails, prompting some people to identify them as rattlesnakes. As their name implies, they’re efficient rodent eaters and I’m sure the park workers appreciate their efforts to eliminate the source of the gopher holes which riddle the park.
We saw a small adult gopher snake—about 3 feet long—last October near the picnic tables. Doug Traub carried it over to the wetlands fence, figuring that would help keep it out of harm’s way.
Snake Primer. Here are some quick gopher snake facts:
- They’re constrictors
- They lay eggs (some snakes lay eggs; others bear live young)
- In breeding season, males defend their territories against competing males
- Adults range in size from 36 to 96 inches long
- They’re diurnal—most active during daylight, except when it’s beastly hot
Longstanding Fascination. I’ve always been fascinated by snakes. As a kid I read books by Raymond Ditmars and fantasized about my future as a herpetologist.
Eventually I kept some snakes of my own—a yellow rat snake, a brown Indigo snake and, ultimately a handsome Colombian boa I christened Boa Diddley.
But those days are long gone. My herpetological career never found its legs. I’m pleased now to see snakes in the wild or on exhibit, as a civilian.
And Suzette, who tolerates my many eccentricities, says if I ever show up with a snake as a housepet it’s D-I-V-O-R-C-E.
May 26th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
She just hasn’t seen one that cute. Okay, maybe it’s not worth the risk.
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Pete, I always enjoyed reading your stories. That is the cutest little snake that I have ever seen.
August 17th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
the other day my brother in law caught me a snake that is identical to the picture above but yet people who know somewhat about snakes say its either a rat snake or pine snake? but i say its a gopher. any who, since ive had it ive been desperatly trying to feed it thawed pinkies an he just wont take them
my next attempt will be a cricket an im really hoping that will do the trick
August 17th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Gopher snakes are closely related to pine snakes and bull snakes. If you live the Eastern U.S., your look-alike is probably a pine snake (gopher snakes are Western U.S. and Mexico only). Some of the rat snakes have similar coloration, too.
The snake may be unhappy about captivity. Try again in a few days with another pinkie.