Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer · Colubridae
Also called: Bullsnake, Pine Snake
A large harmless constrictor that imitates a rattlesnake by hissing loudly, flattening its head and vibrating its tail. No rattle and round pupils give it away.
What the Gopher Snake looks like
How to identify it
- 1Cream-to-yellow body with dark brown or black dorsal blotches
- 2Loud hiss and tail-shaking when threatened (but no rattle)
- 3Narrow head and round pupils
- 4Pointed tail tip, not a segmented rattle
Snakes it's confused with
Venomous; has a rattle, triangular head and vertical pupils.
Behavior & danger to humans
Bluffs convincingly but is harmless and beneficial.
✓ Good news: Harmless. One of the most valuable rodent predators for farmers.
Related snakes
Non-venomousCorn Snake
Pantherophis guttatus
A harmless, beneficial constrictor and one of the most popular pet snakes in the world. Frequently mistaken for the venomous copperhead.
Non-venomousEastern Ratsnake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
A large, harmless constrictor and one of the best natural rodent controllers around homes and farms. Juveniles are gray and blotched, leading to copperhead confusion.
Non-venomousNorthern Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon
A harmless aquatic snake constantly killed out of fear that it is a cottonmouth. It bites readily when grabbed but has no venom.
Non-venomousScarlet Kingsnake
Lampropeltis elapsoides
A harmless coral snake mimic. Its red bands touch black bands — 'red touches black, friend of Jack' — separating it from the venomous coral snake.