Understanding Gopher Snakes

If you’re thinking about catching gopher snakes, it’s good to know what you’re dealing with. These slithery creatures are common throughout North America, and getting familiar with them can make handling much safer and easier.

Characteristics of Gopher Snakes

Gopher snakes, also known as Pituophis catenifer, often get mistaken for their more dangerous cousin—the rattlesnake—because of their same-but-different look and actions. But relax, they ain’t packing venom. They’ve got some interesting features to look out for:

• Length: They start small, from 5 to 14 inches when young, but can stretch out to 6 feet or even longer as they grow.
• Weight: Young ones are lightweight, tipping the scales around 8 ounces.
• Color: Their earth-tone colors, usually brown, help them blend into the ground. You might also spot them in yellowish, tan, or gray shades with dark spots.

Want to see more about the different kinds? Check out our page on types of gopher snakes to figure out who’s who and how to tell them apart from rattlers.

Habitat and Behavior

These snakes are adaptable critters, living in places like deserts, grasslands, woods, and farms. The Pacific gopher snake is a local Californian too. They usually dig deep to chill out and avoid nosy predators.

Habitat Type	What It’s Like
Deserts	Hot, dry spots where they burrow to keep cool
Grasslands	Open spaces with plenty of meals running around
Woodlands	Forest areas great for hiding
Farmlands	Fields full of food opportunities

Behavior-wise, these guys aren’t picky—active by both day and night, switching it up depending on how hot it is:

• Daytime: They’re on the move during cooler hours looking for grub.
• Nighttime: When it’s hot, they go underground to hunt after dark.

They’re all about the squeeze, using constriction to nab their meals—think rodents, birds, and eggs. Want to know what’s on their menu? Check out what does a gopher snake eat.

When it comes to making more snakes, they lay eggs, which take about two months to hatch. For a closer look, swing by our section on gopher snake eggs.

Knowing these things makes anyone’s job of catching gopher snakes a lot smoother. It’s all about using the right trapping tricks and keeping things humane when handling these cool creatures.

Diet and Reproduction

Getting to know what gopher snakes eat and how they reproduce is key for anyone wanting to catch or care for these cool critters. These factors are big deals for their health and happiness.

Gopher Snake Diet

Gopher snakes aren’t picky eaters. They chow down on small rodents, birds, bird eggs, lizards, and sometimes even insects or bats (Wikipedia). They’re like the pest-busters of fields and open areas, keeping the rodent party in check.

Prey Type	Examples
Small Rodents	Mice, rats
Birds	Sparrows, finches
Bird Eggs	Various species
Lizards	Various species
Insects	Sometimes
Bats	Sometimes

When it’s warm, these slithery hunters prefer the nightlife. Usually, they’ll grub during the day by slipping into burrows or surprising dinner with a swift strike at night (Wikipedia). They squeeze their catch until it’s lights out.

To dig deeper into their noshing habits, check out our article on gopher snake diet.

Reproductive Behavior

Gopher snakes are egg-layers. During their love season, the boys duke it out for the ladies. This annual drama kicks off around June and wraps up in August (Wikipedia).

Reproductive Aspect	Details
Mating Season	June to August
Egg Laying	Communal nesting, up to 50 eggs
Incubation Period	2 to 2.5 months

Girls lay their eggs in popular hangouts, sometimes all together up to 50 eggs in one spot. The little ones make their debut after chilling for about 2 to 2.5 months. For a closer look at their nursery days, slide over to our page on gopher snake eggs.

For more nuggets on caring for these serpents or decoding their ways, sift through our articles like gopher snake care and gopher snake habitat.

Gopher Snake Care

Caring for gopher snakes means keeping them happy and healthy in their home. Let’s dive into what they need to stay comfy, from where they live to how warm and lit their space should be.

Housing Requirements

Think of the perfect snake house as a cozy mimick of the outdoors. A wooden abode with ample space and sliding glass doors should do the trick. Make sure it’s airy inside too—a gopher snake likes a breeze just as much as you do! The space needs to be big enough for your slithery pal to move around and explore every nook and cranny.

What You Need	Minimum Specs
Roomy Home	At least 36 x 18 x 18 inches
Fresh Air	Great airflow
Easy Access	Glass doors that slide open

Add some cool spots to hide and a cozy floor—think hidey holes, branches, and maybe a rock or two. But remember, cleanliness is key, so spruce up their place regularly to keep pesky germs at bay.

Curious to make an epic gopher snake pad? Check out our gopher snake habitat guide for all the details.

Temperature and Lighting Needs

Your gopher snake likes it warm but not too cozy. It enjoys a hot patch—around 90°F—for some serious lounging and a cooler spot at about 75°F. That’s their perfect chill-out zone (Reptile Centre). You can nail this by getting a basking lamp that you can dial up or down.

Heat Zones	Best Temps
Toasty Hangout	90°F
Cool Corner	75°F
Bedtime	75°F (with a heat mat)

When night falls, a warm mat keeps things snug, losing the glow but keeping the heat. Snakes don’t need UVB rays to soak up calcium like we do, but they might enjoy a bit of light gradient. A few UVB tube options can make a nice sprinkle of light across their home (Reptile Centre).

Interested in more tips on handling and lighting for your pet slitherer? Peek at our gopher snake care post.

Creating a snazzy and healthy nook is vital for your snake buddy’s well-being, helping them live their best life in their snakey sanctuary.

Feeding and Health

Keeping a gopher snake happy and healthy is all about knowing when to feed ’em and keeping an eye on their well-being. This helps them flourish in their cozy habitat.

Feeding Schedule

Gopher snakes love their meaty meals, favoring frozen-thawed bites like mice. How often they chow down depends on their age and how big they are.

Age	Feeding Frequency
Hatchlings	Weekly munchies
Juveniles	Munch every 7-10 days
Adults	Snack every two weeks

Don’t forget to keep a big water dish on the cooler side of their tank so they can stay refreshed. Got more questions about what these slithery pals eat? Head on over to our gopher snake diet article.

Health Considerations

Keeping tabs on your slithery buddy’s health is super important. Here’s the lowdown:

1. Regular Feeding: Make sure your snake’s got a reliable meal routine and isn’t dropping pounds mysteriously. Skipping meals or losing weight could mean something’s up.
2. Hydration: Fresh water is a must, always. Without it, they could run into some serious health jams.
3. Shedding: A healthy snake will peel off its old skin like a comfy sweater—all in one go. A messy shed might mean they need a bit more moisture or there might be health quirks to sort out.
4. Behavior: Keep watch on any weird moves—are they stressed, exhausted, or snappier than usual? Could be a red flag.

Watch out for common snake ailments like the sniffles (respiratory infections), unwanted tummy friends (parasites), or shedding problems. Got a worry? A vet who knows the scaly types is your best bet.

Taking your snake to the reptile doc regularly and sticking to a solid care routine is a smart move. For more snake wisdom, bounce over to our gopher snake care guide.

Stick to a steady feeding plan and stay on top of their health, and your snake’s gonna be fit and feisty. Need tips on freeing a trapped gopher without drama? Peek at our gopher trapping tips guide.

Effective Gopher Control

If your garden’s becoming a gopher cafeteria, you might want to explore some ways to send them packing. Let’s check out some solid trapping methods and a few other tricks that might just do the job.

Trapping Methods

When it comes to catching gophers, setting traps is like having a secret weapon. A variety of traps are out there, each coming with its own perks.

1. Cinch Trap

   The Cinch trap is a real favorite among gopher catchers. Folks like Greg Alder have a great opinion on its user-friendly design and impressive catch rate. It’s a spring-loaded gizmo that sends the gopher to heaven in a jiffy.

• No fancy tools needed

• Catch success is reliable

• Cleanup is a breeze

  Trap Type	Success Rate	Tools Required	Mess Level
  Cinch Trap	High	Not many	Barely any

1. Gopher Hawk Trap

   If you’re looking for something other than the Cinch, the Gopher Hawk trap has your back. It doesn’t need a lot of groundwork either. Plus, it has a little flag to let you know when it’s done its job. Judy C swears by it, and you can find it at stores like Ace Hardware.

   Trap Type	Success Rate	Tools Required	Mess Level
   Gopher Hawk Trap	Pretty good	Not many	Barely any

Alternative Control Techniques

If trapping is not your thing, there are other tricks to handle those sneaky gophers. Depending on where you live and just how pesky these critters are, these methods could give you a hand.

1. Gopher Gassers

   Ever tried gassing them out? These gizmos send out fumes into their tunnels. Works wonders, especially if the ground’s damp. People find their gardens gopher-free for a good while after.

2. Natural Predators

   Let Mother Nature give you a hand. Invite over some critters like snakes, owls, and hawks. Gopher snakes are especially handy at keeping gophers at bay.

3. Physical Barriers

   Want to block them out? Setting up underground fences or mesh around garden areas can keep those plant-munchers at a distance. Works well if you combine it with trapping too.

   By putting these methods together, you’re setting up a pretty solid defense against gophers.

For more on the natural side of gopher control, read about different gopher snakes, like the pacific gopher snake, sonoran gopher snake, and california gopher snake.

Gopher Trapping Tips

Trying to tackle those pesky gophers digging up their land? Here’s your friendly guide to getting rid of them with some smart trapping hacks.

Trapping Preparation

Before jumping into action, a little setup goes a long way. Let’s kick things off:

1. Spot Gopher Mischief: Keep an eye out for fresh dirt mounds, chewed-up roots, or any odd ground activity around (Solutions Stores). If you’ve got tunnels under your mulch, it might take some detective work (Greg Alder).

2. Cut Off Snack Supply: Mow the lawn, yank out weeds, and clear any debris that’s serving as a snack bar for the furry intruders (Solutions Stores).

3. Pick Your Weapon: The trusty Cinch trap gets two thumbs-up for getting those gophers (Greg Alder Yard Posts).

4. Place and Bait: Set the trap where the action is hottest. Chuck a scoop of peanut butter at the trap’s end to lure these critters right where you want them.

5. Gopher Gourmet: Peanut butter works wonders to pull them into your trap.

Preparation Action	What to Do
Spot Activity	Hunt for dirt piles
Cut Off Snacks	Mow, weed, remove other food sources
Pick Trap	Go with the Cinch
Place and Bait	Target active areas with peanut butter

Monitoring and Release

Once traps are set up, keeping tabs and knowing how to release is crucial:

1. Keep an Eye Out: Give those traps a look at least a couple of times a day. Quick checks mean any mis-caught critters get freed and gophers don’t overstay their welcome in the trap (Solutions Stores).

2. Release Drill: Don’t let a gopher hang out in the cage for more than a day. Let ’em go far from your yard so they don’t come back calling.

3. Non-gopher Catches: If an unexpected visitor gets caught, let ’em go right away to prevent stress.

Curious about gopher snakes? Check out the pacific gopher snake or the arizona gopher snake.

Follow these steps, and you’ll be managing your gopher crowd like a pro while being kind to all critters involved.