Reptiles and Amphibians of the Table Rocks
Gopher Snake
I am a large, cream-colored to yellowish brown snake with dark brown, black, or reddish brown blotches along top and sides of my body. My head has a dark line crossing my eyes. Many people mistake me for the Western Rattlesnake. When I am confronted, I mimic rattlers by loudly hissing, flattening my head, and vibrating my tail or rustling dead leaves with my tail. I may lunge at an intruder and strike. My bite is not venomous.
I live in the Mixed Woodlands and the grasslands of Table Rocks. I kill my prey, which includes gophers, by constriction. I also climb trees and prey on nesting birds. I am active by day and on warm nights.
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Oregon State Office
Bureau of Land Management
333 S.W. 1st. Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
503-808-6002