Pacific Gopher Snake

Gopher snakes are long snakes that usually measure between 4.5-6 feet. However, there are records of this snake getting as long as 9 feet! They have keeled scales, a narrow head, and large eyes. There is no sexual dimorphism, so males and females both look the same externally. They both have tan bodies covered in brown and black markings and a pale white underbelly. These markings look remarkably similar to those of many local rattlesnakes.

Despite their similar looks, there are several key characteristics that can help to distinguish gopher snakes from rattlesnakes. Gopher snakes have long, skinny bodies, a narrow head, and are lacking a rattle and facial pits. Rattlesnakes have shorter, stouter bodies, a triangular head, a rattle at the tip of their tail and heat-sensing facial pits along their upper lip.

Pacific gopher snakes are a subspecies of gopher snake, also known as bull snakes, native to the west coast of the United States. While gopher snakes can be found across southwestern Canda, northern Mexico, and the United States, Pacific gopher snakes can only be found on the West Coast in elevations lower than 2,000 feet. This means that Pacific gopher snakes are only found in California, Oregon, and southwestern Washington.

Gopher snakes are very adaptable to a large variety of habitats. They can be found in woodlands, deserts, prairies, chaparral, shrublands, and even agricultural areas. They show a preference for open areas in moist habitats.

Gopher snakes are constrictors and are not venomous. They primarily feed on small mammals such as voles, mice, rats, squirrels, and young rabbits or gophers. Gopher snakes often hunt in underground burrows. However, they are opportunistic hunters and will also go after birds, lizards, smaller snakes, insects, and eggs. Once they find their prey, they usually strike to grab hold and then wrap their body around the prey to constrict. With every breath, the hold gets tighter and tighter until the prey is suffocated. Prey is then swallowed whole, since snakes have an additional bone in their jaw that allows them to open their mouths very wide. Prey is swallowed head-first 88.5% of the time.

Gopher snakes are solitary, as is fairly common amongst all snakes, and only interact with other gopher snakes during the mating season. They are adept at swimming and climbing but spend 90% of their time in underground burrows. They are mainly diurnal but are occasionally active at night.

Gopher snakes breed once a year during the months of June to August. Usually one clutch is laid, but occasionally a female will lay two. There is some competition amongst males for receptive females. Males can be found wrestling and completely wrapped together from head to tail, hissing loudly. Females signal their readiness to procreate through skin secretions that can be detected through chemosensations. Males will mate with as many females as they are able.

Once a clutch is laid, they incubate for a period of 65 to 75 days. Clutch size typically ranges from 3-9 offspring. These young snakes are 20 inches long at birth and are left to fend for themselves. They spend 3 years growing rapidly, after which growth slows for the rest of their life. It takes females 4 years to reach sexual maturity, but only 1.5 years for males.

Oakland Zoo is home to one male pacific gopher snake, Timmy. We are not sure how old Timmy is as it is very likely that he was kidnapped from the wild. Once a snake is taken from the wild, there is a multitude of complications that arise that can make it impossible for them to be returned. Timmy has lived at the Zoo since 2017 and is part of our animal ambassador program. He is one of our longest snakes and takes advantage of his vast enclosure size. He is a great communicator and an excellent fit for the ambassador program as he is not shy about letting his handlers know when he is ready to be put back in his enclosure. Since we prioritize our animal’s comfort and ability to choose, we love to have animal ambassadors that can communicate these things to us.

You can meet Timmy during special Zoomobile, Wildlife Assembly, or ZooCamp programs. During these programs, kids can learn more about these animals and the habitats, adaptations, or other features that make them special. You might also get lucky on your next visit to the zoo and encounter him on a serendipitous Pathway Encounter or Wildlife Theater show.