Pituophis catenifer affinis, commonly known as the Sonoran gopher snake, is a nonvenomous subspecies of colubrid snake that is endemic to the southwestern United States. It is one of six recognized subspecies of the gopher snake, Pituophis catenifer.[5]
Adults average 127–183cm (4.17–6.00ft) in total length. The maximum recorded total length is 234cm (7.68ft).[3]
The saddle-shaped dorsal blotches are reddish brown,[1] except for near and on the tail, where they are dark brown or blackish.[3]
The rostral is about as long as it is broad, not elongated as in other Pituophis subspecies.[6]
Habitat
It primarily inhabits the Sonoran Desert in the Southwest USA, and into northern Mexico.
Diet
They feed on small rodents, hence the common name gopher snake.
Behavior
They are moderately defensive but can be tamed, and become gentle. They have hard, tough skin on their noses used to burrow into gopher holes and the burrows of other rodents in search of prey. During the winter they brumate. When threatened by humans and farm equipment, they tend not to retreat but to hiss and shake their tails, a response that may lead to their being confused with rattlesnakes and killed.
Reproduction
P. c. affinis is oviparous. Adult females lay 7-22 eggs in July or August. The eggs average 51mm ×35mm (2.0in ×1.4in). The hatchlings are about 40cm (15.5in) in total length.[2]
References
1 2 Schmidt, K.P., and D.D. Davis. 1941. Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada. G.P. Putnam's Sons. New York. 365 pp. (Pituophis sayi affinis, pp. 163-164 + Figure 46. on p. 161.)
1 2 Wright, A.H., and A.A. Wright. 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Comstock. Ithaca and London. 1,105 pp. (in 2 volumes) (Pituophis catenifer affinis, pp. 593-597, Figure 172. + Map 46. on p. 589.)
1 2 3 Conant, R. 1975. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition. Houghton Mifflin. Boston. 429 pp. ISBN0-395-19977-8 (paperback). (Pituophis melanoleucus affinis, p. 201 + Map 147.)
↑ Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). www.itis.gov.
↑ Smith, H.M., and E.D. Brodie, Jr. 1982. Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. Golden Press. New York. 240 pp. ISBN0-307-13666-3 (paperback). (Pituophis melanoleucus affinis, p. 186.)
Further reading
Hallowell, E. 1852. Descriptions of new Species of Reptiles inhabiting North America. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 6: 177–182. (Pityophis affinis, p.181.)
Stebbins, Robert C., and McGinnis, Samuel M. Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of California: Revised Edition (California Natural History Guides) University of California Press, 2012 (p.371-373)
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