Range/ Habitat: The gopher snake is one of the most widespread snakes in North America. Its range extends from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans, as far north as southern Canada, and as far south as Veracruz and southern Sinaloa, Mexico, including Baja California.

Do gopher snakes have a territory?

Geographic range. The Pacific gopher snake ranges up and down the West Coast of the United States, its range ending in the southern coast of California. Gopher snakes are rarely seen above 2000 feet and are most commonly seen adjacent to farms in semi-arid brushy areas.

Where do gopher snakes go at night?

When the weather turns hot, they hunt during the night and rest on warm rocks or pavement during the day. They hibernate during the winter and are out and about between April and October, however in Southern California because of the warm climate their presences is more consistent.

Where do gopher snakes like to hide?

The gopher snake makes its home in any number of different habitats. They can live in arid deserts, coastal dunes, grasslands, open scrublands, and coniferous forests, to name a few. Within these habitats, their favorite hideouts include burrows, dense vegetation, rocky outcroppings, and trees.

Where do gopher snakes go in winter?

During the cold months of late fall and winter Gopher snakes hibernate underground. They have a unique defensive mechanism, in which they puff up their body and curl themselves into the classic strike pose of a pit viper.

Creature Feature: Gopher Snakes

Can gopher snakes climb walls?

There are some very good climbers, like Gophersnakes, Coachwhips, and kingsnakes, that can do fun things like climb straight up rough stucco walls – so seeing one of these snakes in a rattlesnake-fence protected area is not an indicator that the fence has failed in some way.

Do gopher snakes climb trees?

Slow-moving, the gopher snake investigates burrows, rocky crevices and even climbs trees in search of prey. Adult snakes hunt small rodents, young rabbits, lizards, birds and occasionally other snakes, usually by their sense of smell.

Do snakes have a home range?

"Snakes know their home range really well, so if they're dropped off someplace else, they take off and make all sorts of unusual movements that aren't typical of snakes," Devan-Song said. "The more they move, the less time they spend eating, reproducing and finding hiding places.

How do you get rid of gopher snakes?

11 Ways to Get rid of Snakes In Your Yard and Garden

1. Spray it with a hose. Drench the snake from a distance. ...
2. Trap the snake. ...
3. Eliminate food sources. ...
4. Get rid of standing water. ...
5. Trap the snake. ...
6. Fill burrows. ...
7. Remove shelter. ...
8. Use smoke.

Are gopher snakes good to have around?

Because they compete with rattlesnakes for food and territory, gopher snakes will help keep rattlers away, notes the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Both species of snakes live in the burrows of other animals and under rocks and logs. Both snakes eat small birds, eggs and mammals.

Do gopher snakes stay in the same area?

The 2003 study in Copeia revealed that they have home territories. These are small — less than a quarter of a mile — but the snakes remain faithful to them for years. Gopher snakes are primarily diurnal (active during the day) though are sometimes seen moving and hunting at night.

How long will a gopher snake live?

Species Specifics

Gopher snakes will live to be about 10-15 years old, longer in human care.

How many babies does a gopher snake have?

A male sometimes will bite a female on the back of her neck when mating. The gopher snake usually lays between 2 and 8 eggs.

Can you pick up a wild gopher snake?

Answer: A valid sport fishing license is required to capture or kill gopher snakes in California, per CCR Title 14, section 5.60. The bag limit is four and the possession limit is four. Gopher snakes can be taken by hand, lizard noose, tongs or a snake stick, year-round.

Where does a gopher snake 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.

Do gopher snakes eat squirrels?

The snake routinely eats other small mammals, such as rabbits, kangaroo rats, voles, rats, mice and ground squirrels.

Do snakes go back to the same place?

With the warmer weather on the way, snakes spring into action, moving onto greener pastures where food, mates or a nice warm place to rest will often find them in close contact with humans. It is pretty rare for a snake to stay in the same spot for too long, unless the conditions are perfect.

What smell do snakes hate?

There are many scents snakes don't like including smoke, cinnamon, cloves, onions, garlic, and lime. You can use oils or sprays containing these fragrances or grow plants featuring these scents.

What attracts snakes to your house?

Snakes enter a building because they're lured in by dark, damp, cool areas or in search of small animals, like rats and mice, for food. Snakes can be discouraged from entering a home in several ways. Keeping the vegetation around the house cut short can make the home less attractive to small animals and snakes.

How far do snakes travel from their den?

During their active months, they can journey as far as 1.6 miles from their dens to their favorite hunting and basking areas.

Can you relocate gopher snakes?

Relocating snakes short distances is ineffective because they will likely find their way back to their home range. If you have one snake in your yard, that means there are others around! Removing one or more snakes often creates a false sense of security.

Do snakes keep coming back?

They are most active in early morning and late afternoon, as summer temperatures are often too hot for them to be out in during the hottest times of day. Snake activity will pick back up again in late summer and early fall before they go into hibernation or brumation.

Do gopher snakes make noise?

When agitated, gopher snakes will mimic the defensive posture of rattlesnakes, flattening out their heads and shaking their tails. When this is done in dry vegetation, it closely resembles the sound of a rattlesnake. They also produce a guttural hiss when threatened and may excrete a foul-smelling musk.

Do gopher snakes swim?

Gopher snakes are terrestrial animals (spend majority of time on the land), but they are also excellent climbers and swimmers.

How long can a gopher snake go without eating?

Generally speaking, snakes can go a long time without being fed or eating. Nearly all snakes can last a few weeks, no problem. Similarly, most snakes can even last a few months. After the two-month mark, certain snakes will begin to starve.