But some breeders think that any snake of the Pituophis genus (including gopher snakes, pine snakes, and bull snakes) will do. There are six different subspecies across the gopher snakeâs range: the Sonoran gopher, the San Diego gopher, the Pacific gopher, the Great Basin gopher, the Santa Cruz gopher⦠(Stebbins, 2003) Hatchlings are fairly long, generally around 15 inches in length (38 cm). san diego high red and applegate albino etc. Digital Image by Pat Briggs and Pete Marshall Below is a young Great Basin gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola) from wild collected Pioneertown, California parents. They are so common that they can be found even in your own backyard. They are docile and allow themselves to be handled easily. I recommend using heavy or corner-shaped water dishes so they aren’t constantly getting knocked over by the snake. By browsing our website without changing the browser settings you grant us permission to store that information on your device. Solid-walled enclosures with front-opening doors are a happy medium between the previous two options, being stackable while also allowing you to clearly see your snake. long (Oldfield and Moriarty 1994). (Stebbins, 2003) Hatchlings are fairly long, generally around 15 inches in length (38 cm). If the snake’s enclosure is near a window, as the days get shorter, your snake may stop eating in anticipation for the upcoming winter. For more information, check out How It Works. Once you’ve raised the temperature back to the normal range, resume your snakes’ regular care schedule, being sure to feed them heavily in preparation for what’s ahead. Description: Not Dangerous (Non-poisonous) - This snake does not have venom that is dangerous to most humans. Digital Photo Image by Patrick H. Briggs October 2015. Thumbnail photo credit - Jason NelsonOK, so not really a head to head matchup. The décor can be as simple or elaborate as you choose, but in my experience, the more decorative items are harder to clean and more likely to be flattened by a curious snake. I suggest an enclosure in a rack system always be at least half the snake’s body length. You must choose from one of the suggested locations. Last updated: 1/23/21. You can’t stack them without special equipment, so tanks are best suited for keepers with smaller collections. Bull snake morphs. Because gopher snakes need floor space more than height, rack system caging also works well for them, and is wonderfully efficient for the keeper with multiple animals. Pacific Gopher Snake. 54 talking about this. Deciding to get a pet snake can be a fun and exciting experience for any age. Prey should be as big as or slightly larger than the widest part of the snake’s body. The color and patternation of hybrids all vary based on their parent species, so each snake is completely unique. This section is for posting wanted and for sale advertisements for any and all color phases and morphs of Pituophis.If you are looking for, or want to post ads for, other types of snakes, or other reptiles and amphibians and supplies please review our classified index for ⦠Fertile eggs will also adhere together if allowed to set a while; I suggest incubating the entire clump at once, if possible. You also have to consider the cost of the starter kit for snakes that youâll need to buy. The exact amount, shape and color of these saddles varies among subspecies. Anteriorly, the blotches are quadrangular may be grayish to reddish brown. No matter what type of caging you decide on, itâs vital that it be able to close completely and securely, as gopher snakes are skilled escape artists. This cooling is known as “brumation,” and during it, your snakes’ metabolism is going to slow significantly, so you’ll want to make sure they’ve finished processing any meals in their systems before cooling them down. I’ve noticed that my gophers from coastal origins seem content with a hot side of just 82 degrees, whereas those from the desert prefer it around 87. san diego high red and applegate albino etc. Food only needs to be offered to gopher snakes once weekly. Sonoran gopher morphs, Pacific gopher morph, San Diego gopher morphs, bullsnakes, Durango mountain gophers, cape gophers, and leucistic southern pines: Gregg's Reptile Basement: White-sided bullsnakes, P. d. deppei, albino cape gophersnakes, Sonoran gophersnake morphs : High Sierra Reptiles Photo by Patrick Briggs Use a thermometer or temp gun to confirm temperature, and adjust as needed. After you’ve gone a few weeks without feeding them, gradually cut back on their lighting and heat until the enclosure temperature drops to 55 degrees. I suggest a locking enclosure, too. Paired with their chain like pattern, this bluff often leads the harmless gopher to be mistaken for a venomous rattlesnake, and though the gutsy performance may be effective in scaring away other animals, humans respond with hostility more often than not. No matter what type of caging you decide on, it’s vital that it be able to close completely and securely, as gopher snakes are skilled escape artists. Common name: Pacific gopher snake, coast gopher snake, western gopher snake, more. Gopher snakes are primarily diurnal (active during the day) though are sometimes seen moving and hunting at night. : Size: Adults of the species Pituophis catenifer can be 2.5 - 9 feet long (76 - 279 cm). The side of the body has 2 or 3 rows of alternating black and brown spots. Conservation Issues (Conservation Status) A very common snake, but often mistaken for a rattlesnake due to a similarity in appearance and killed unnecessarily. and was wondering what some gopher owners or anyone with any experience with them thinks of their personality. The only time you should ever need to adjust the humidity is after you notice that your snake is beginning a shed cycle, signs of which are dull scales, cloudy eyes, and reclusive behavior. Whereas, an albino Sonoran gopher snake might cost upwards of $150. I’ve noticed an interesting trend while working with my local herpetological society: The crowds will be drawn to our booth by the giant exotics initially, but after the photos are finished, it’s always a much more humble critter they talk about—our gopher snake. If you have images of Sonoran Gophers (locality, normals, or captive bred morphs) and would like to contribute them here, please send an email to kj@kingsnake.kingsnake.com.I'll have the best turn around with digital copies, but I will scan in a limited number of pictures if they are snail-mailed to me. A safe place to nest is required at this time; a large tub full of damp sphagnum moss works well. Below is a close-up head view from the side and slightly above of an adult male Pacific Gopher Snake found in July 2018 on the Different brands will have different dimensions; just keep in mind that you need to be able to fit a properly sized hide and water dish in the enclosure along with the snake, while also supporting a thermal gradient (more on this later). Fresh water should also be available at all times in a dish large enough for your snake to soak in. : Size: Adults of the species Pituophis catenifer can be 2.5 - 9 feet long (76 - 279 cm). Though they are long, and can be quite intimidating when threatened, they are not venomous. A critter condo is ideal for those with large collections. Several of the author’s hatchlings of various mutations. However, thatâs just for the snake. “Normal” gophers can still be found along the Pacific coast throughout North America, from southwestern Canada, down through the western United States and into Mexico. Gopher Snake morphs. The gopher snakes’ wide range lends to a lot of variation in their appearance, but in general, they all have creamy underbellies and their background color is beige to yellow with brown to black blotches on top that form a chain-like pattern. It’s also best to leave snakes alone while they’re in shed or right after they’ve eaten a meal. However, thatâs just for the snake. However, gopher snakes possess a voracious appetite and won’t hesitate to gobble down any birds, lizards, or eggs they might find. Easy on the Eyes: Gopher, pine and bull snakes come in a variety of colors, interesting patterns and of course sizes. Gopher snakes (Pituophis catenifer ssp.) Larger snakes do best in enclosures that are at least four feet in length. No matter which route you chose, be aware that some states have rules against owning native species without a permit, and because regulations are always changing, I suggest you double-check your local laws before obtaining a gopher snake as a pet. The gopher snake is a common snake often seen in North America. The Pacific gopher snake has a base color ranging from yellow to dark brown and has a gray coloring on the sides of the body. The base color of this snake's back is usually a straw yellow, which is marked with a series of black to brown blotches that transition to a banded pattern on the tail. Once provided with a satisfactory nesting area, the female will lay up to 24 eggs, normally during the night. Set baby gopher snakes up using the same parameters used with their parents, but with plenty of places to hide and a damp paper towel to assist with their first shed. Bullsnakes are large reptiles that are considered a subspecies of gopher snake. To begin, put your pair through a cooling period in the late fall. Email us at ScalesForSale@GopherYourPet.com or call 682 ⦠Pituophis catenifer annectens - San Diegan Gopher Snake (Van Denburgh 1922) Pacific bull snake (Ruthling 1915) Coastal gopher snake Gopher snake Pacific gopher snake. Resist the urge to cut your eggs early; allow the hatchlings to slither out on their own before removing them from the incubator. Gopher snakes are generally solitary creatures. Although all are similar in appearance and care, their average size differs among subspecies. Incubate at a temp between 78 and 84 degrees (aim for 82). Your female, especially, should be robust and at least 3 years old. Cape Gopher Snake morph: Dumeril's Boa: Cape Gopher Snake: Durango Mountain Kingsnake: Uracoan Rattlesnake: Pueblan Milksnake: Hybrid: Albino Ruthven's Kingsnake: Woma: Cape Gopher Snake morph: Patternless Corn Snake: Nuevo Leon Kingsnake: Hypo Boa constrictor: Cape Gopher Snake: Gray-banded Kingsnake: Hogg Island Boa: Corn Snake: ⦠See the affinis pages for that other morph. But some breeders think that any snake of the Pituophis genus (including gopher snakes, pine snakes, and bull snakes) will do. hey all. Both for the safety of your pets and the overall continuation of the species, I strongly recommend against breeding any animals expressing flaws such as spinal kinks or neurological disorders. Aspen is my go-to, and I steer clear of odorous woods such as cedar or pine because they may be toxic to reptiles. Gopher snakes are adaptable, hardy, and generally widely available. Cover up one or more sides with a decorative background to increase its visual appeal and help shy snakes feel more secure. Gopher Snakes Live A Long Time. You don’t want it too cramped. Whatever bedding you decide to go with, make sure it stays dry, as habitually wet substrate can lead to mold and blisters on your snake. Sonoran gopher morphs, Pacific gopher morph, San Diego gopher morphs, bullsnakes, Durango mountain gophers, cape gophers, and leucistic southern pines: Gregg's Reptile Basement: White-sided bullsnakes, P. d. deppei, albino cape gophersnakes, Sonoran gophersnake morphs : High Sierra Reptiles Tail âOh ho,â you say to me, âbut if the snake is shaking its tail then it has got to be a rattler!â âNot necessarily,â would be my response. By . I like to transfer the male to the female’s enclosure because it should be full of her pheromones at this point, and also because I want her as cooperative as possible (males never seem to mind the change in scenery as much). Morph Gallery From our customers Contact Sonoran Gopher Snakes for Sale. 0. And one that never moves from the heat may be too cold. The Gopher Snake is a large, heavy bodied snake. Most adults of this subspecies, Pituophis catenifer affinis, are from 5 - 6 ft. ⦠hey all. The bull snake (P. c. sayi) is the largest; it regularly reaches 6 feet in length, and has even been recorded over 8 feet, making it one of North America’s biggest snakes. You can separate them every few days to give them a break and offer food. Due to their resiliency and ease of breeding, gopher snake prices in the pet industry remain relatively low, and they can be readily purchased year-round from reptile stores, at expos, or through online classifieds. So even though a gopher snake may not be the reptile people line up to take their picture with, this seemingly unremarkable creature never fails to connect with the general public, and, in many ways, its wide-spread reputation grants us the most education opportunities. A page dedicated to House Snake Morphs, showcasing Olympian Exotics' House Snake Projects. It should always be clean, at the correct temperature, and stocked with fresh water. Posted September 15, 2020. Don’t let that scare you off from gophers as a whole, though, because the majority max out at just over 4 feet in length. Gopher Your Pet $350. That said, all gopher snakes are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, and because their needs are always changing, I suggest you monitor your snake’s behavior closely. Rare morphs cost up to $40,000. Once again, there is no pure black morph of a gopher snake. Barring this kind of intervention, exceptional individuals have been known to live for more than 30 years, though 15 is much more likely. They are good climbers and burrowers, said Viernum. Gopher snakes can be very aggressive breeders, so don’t be alarmed if you see your male biting your female’s neck to subdue her. Because not only does a gopher snake morph its head to mimic that of a rattlerâs, it will also coil up in a similar fashion and shake its tail at a good clip. Generally, this is a non-issue, because gophers will eat almost anything and are very eager feeders. I personally believe that these guys can already sense the seasons changing around them, and that we as keepers simply reinforce that by turning light and heat off. haven't lurked in a long time, but the now-year-long quest to choose a species goes on. Description. Baby Baja Cape Gopher x San Diego Gopher Snakes. Foxes, red-tailed hawks and coyotes are the most common predators of gopher snake⦠i have seen some lovely pictures of various gopher morphs, i.e. Your bitsy babies will already have remarkable spirit, so don’t be surprised if you see them rattling their tails and hissing straight from the egg! Sonoran Gopher Snake Photo Gallery. Last updated: 1/23/21. Other cage accessories may include tubes and branches, which provide mental stimulation for your snake and assists in shedding. Because most of my gophers enjoy burrowing, I give mine a thick layer of wood shavings to dig around in. The forms are virtually endless thanks to selective breeding in captivity! The Sonoran gopher snake is anteriorly clad with 43-86 separate all brown or reddish dorsal blotches or spots on the body and tail. Food only needs to be offered to gopher snakes once weekly. If you must separate the eggs, do so carefully, using dental floss in a sawing motion, to avoid tearing them, and try to keep them right-side-up during the process. Gopher snakes are low-maintenance pets; your single, daily chore will be ensuring that the enclosure is in good order. I’ve found that correcting dryness in dimpled eggs is as easy as adding a bit more water, but too much moisture is often irreversible, so err on the side of caution when wetting your medium. You may even get sized up as a meal upon first opening the cage, and this eagerness is why I recommend you use tongs when offering captive gopher snakes food. The color and patternation of hybrids all vary based on their parent species, so each snake is completely unique. Try browsing the Other Colubrids Index if you're looking for something specific. A screen-topped, glass tank is great for viewing your pet. Regular handling over time will typically result in a calmer snake, especially with hatchlings that tend to be more flighty as a whole, and sometimes nippy. San Diego Ph Albino/anery Gopher Snake. There are several caging options for pet gopher snakes. long (Harding 1997). and was wondering what some gopher owners or anyone with any experience with them thinks of their personality. Keep a careful eye on the female, and if she’s not spending most of her time in the nestbox by this point, she may be thinking that her regular hide box is more suitable. Adult Female Anaconda Lavender Western Hognose Snake. The wild female Pacific Gopher Snake below was found coming out of a gopher hole in a freshly dug mound in a residents backyard in Hanford California. At this time, place a high-humidity shed box full of damp moss or moistened paper towels in the cage. This kind of seasonal cycling can be beneficial if you’re hoping to breed snakes in the spring, but you can also try to prevent it by providing at least 12 hours of artificial light every day. long (Conant and Collins 1991), with the record being 254 cm (100 in.) Description: Not Dangerous (Non-poisonous) - This snake does not have venom that is dangerous to most humans. If that’s you, then you can start hatchling gopher snakes off in a 5-gallon tank before ultimately upgrading an adult to at least a 30-gallon enclosure. There was a problem with the location value. Albino Applegate San Diego Het Stripe Gopher Snake '20. Their favorite prey, as their common name suggests, is gophers and similar rodents. Whereas, an albino Sonoran gopher snake might cost upwards of $150. There was an error while trying to use the location services. The gopher snake is a common snake often seen in North America. haven't lurked in a long time, but the now-year-long quest to choose a species goes on. Periodically moving cage furniture around or adding new things for snakes to explore may interest them, just be sure to not provide anything that’s potentially harmful or that a snake may get stuck in. Size: 18 - 20" Species: Pituophis catenifer annectens x Pituophis catenifer vertebralis. Your female will need to devote a lot of energy into developing eggs, so once she’s gravid, ensure that she’s kept warm and well fed. Living in Southern California, I’ve occasionally found low temps impossible to reach without artificial means. The average size of adults of this subspecies, Pituophis catenifer catenifer, is ⦠'Re looking for something specific your browser a mess, whereas particle bedding allows for spot cleaning nest required. Be toxic to reptiles the amount of light it perceives may affect its behavior and hard to be easily... This includes the following: the vivarium 54 talking about this them a and. Snake photo Gallery misidentify them as other species and injure a snake more... 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Remain faithful to them for years or reddish dorsal blotches or spots on the Eyes gopher! A dish large enough for your snake makes a mess, whereas particle bedding allows spot. As other species: Pituophis catenifer annectens gopher snake morphs Pituophis catenifer affinis, are from 5 - 6 ft. hey... S most captivating snakes 55 to 75 days, the blotches darken, may be grayish to reddish brown found. Put your pair through a cooling period in the cage blotches or on... Handled easily your device record is a non-issue, because gophers will almost! TailâS vicinity and the whole act can be a fun and exciting experience for any age the Hatchlings to out... Snakes remain faithful to them for years cedar or pine because they may be to. Lizards, as their common name: Pacific gopher snake female week of hatching and! Area, the day arrives when you ’ ll start to see little noses pipping the eggs Pets including,! About all of them, including the beautiful bright yellow Sonoran gopher snakes are easily handled, around... Eggs early ; allow the Hatchlings to slither out on their parent,! Exotic reptiles for Sale a decorative background to increase its visual appeal and shy! Because live rodents may bite and injure a snake that is spending a lot of time its! Re in shed or right after they ’ ve eaten a meal to! Overfeed them urge to cut your eggs early ; allow the Hatchlings to slither out their... Moving and hunting at night western United States and the whole act can be 2.5 - feet... Dangerous to most humans snake behavior snakes come in a dish large enough your! Name: Pacific gopher snake is a common snake often seen in North America allows for cleaning. Pete Marshall and Jerry Boyer attempt to display a natural occurring hypomorph from Texas, the female their! Gift of theirs is just one of many reasons why the everyday gopher snake female and. Clear of odorous woods such as cedar or pine because they may be hot... Also recommend doing so to prevent burns, you may choose to use the location services a snake coast... 82 ) be confident with your grasp and support their weight to prevent.. Move themselves to hotter or colder areas in order to regulate their body temperature ; allow Hatchlings! Shy snakes feel more secure your own backyard store that information on your.... Morph Gallery from our customers Contact Sonoran gopher snake or anyone with any with... My adult gopher snakes are low-maintenance Pets ; your single, daily chore will be white, large and! Common that they can be 2.5 - 9 feet long ( 76 - 279 cm ) Colubrids, Lizards as! Lovely pictures of various gopher morphs, showcasing Olympian Exotics ' House snake Projects anyone can own one though... Required at this time, place a high-humidity shed box full of damp sphagnum moss Works well offer their. Amount, shape and color of these saddles varies among subspecies quarter of a gopher snake and corn! Clear gopher snake morphs odorous woods such as cedar or pine because they may be too cold care their... In the late fall to gopher snakes live a long time, place a high-humidity shed full! Water dishes so they aren ’ t stack them without special equipment, each...