Latin Name

Pituophis catenifer

History at CuriOdyssey

CuriOdyssey houses three Gopher snakes. One snake was donated by a private citizen in 2001. The second snake was found in a commercial building at the Port of San Francisco and was donated to CuriOdyssey in 2007. The third was a former pet that was abandoned and CuriOdyssey adopted him from the Peninsula Humane Society in 2019.

Fun Facts about Gopher Snakes

The nickname “gopher” is frequently applied to snakes that feed on rodents. Gopher snakes are known for keeping rodent populations under control in agricultural areas.

If annoyed, gopher snakes will assume a strike pose, vibrate their tail rapidly, and hiss loudly- imitating a rattlesnake.

What do Gopher Snakes eat?

In the wild, Gopher Snakes eat small mammals, birds and their eggs. At CuriOdyssey, they are served mice and small rats.

How long do they Gopher Snakes live?

In the Wild: 10-15 years.
In Captivity: 15-20 years.

Where do Gopher Snakes live?

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.

Are Gopher Snakes endangered?

Their wildlife conservation status is stable because of their ability to live in close proximity with humans.