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Click on any of the thumbnail images below to view
an enlarged photo . . . . .
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About this snake:
The Pacific Gopher Snake is a common snake that is usually
found in grasslands and open brush areas. It is one of the larger
snakes found in the northwestern US and measurers 3.9-6.8 feet.
Like the famous boa constrictor the pacific gopher kills by constriction.
It is a carnivore and eats mainly bats, birds, lizards and small
animals, but it has even been known to kill rattlesnakes. Interestingly
enough, when the pacific gopher is angered it mimics a rattlesnake
by flattening its head, hissing loudly, vibrating its tail and
striking. Although the strike is non-venomous and the shaking
of the tail will only sound like a rattle when it is in dry grass
or leaves, many people do mistake the angered pacific gopher
for the rattlesnake.
The pacific gopher snake will often use abandoned mammal
burrows for a nesting spot. It usually lays 12-14 eggs in a single
mass and hatch in 9-11 weeks. The young are 8-12 in. at hatching.
The pacific gopher snake is very valuable to farmers because
of the large number of rodents they eat. Although these snakes
are not considered endangered it is important to remember that
all native reptile's natural habitats are threatened and we need
to do everything we can to protect their ability to remain in
the wild. It is illegal to take them out of the wild for any
reason. Furthermore, it is also illegal to collect them for pet
trade.
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Our entire Serpentes collection of images can be
viewed from thumbnails as follows: Snakes
Volume 1. Snakes Volume 2
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Please do not ask us
or email us for free use of these images or for free information!
Unfortunately we can not help with
specific questions related to the care, feeding, or extermination
of these animals. We recommend having a sense of awe, wonder,
and reverence, for these fascinating animals in such a way that
we respect and honor their existence.
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