Great Basin Gopher Snake

Description:

Great Basin Gopher Snake spotted along the side of the road leading into Great Basin National Park, Nevada. The Great Basin Gopher Snake is a subspecies of nonvenomous colubrid endemic to the western part of the United States

Habitat:

The Great Basin gopher snake can be found throughout the western United States in grasslands, woodlands, deserts, coastal sage scrub, agriculture land, and riparian areas

Notes:

The Great Basin gopher snake is a great climber, swimmer, and burrower. It is one of the most commonly found snakes when people are hiking or driving on the road. They are easily seen in spring when the male snakes are out and about trying to find a mate. The hatchlings are easily found in late August and September when they emerge from their eggs. Like most animals, Great Basin gopher snakes are not dangerous unless provoked. When defending themselves from predators, they will elevate and inflate the body, and flatten the head into a triangular shape. Loud hissing noises will ensue, along with quick shaking of the tail, mimicking the sound of a deadly rattlesnake. Unlike a rattlesnake, however, the Great Basin gopher snake is nonvenomous.