Sonoran gopher snake
A species of Gopher snakes Scientific name : Pituophis catenifer affinis Genus : Gopher snakes
Sonoran gopher snake, A species of Gopher snakes
Scientific name: Pituophis catenifer affinis
Genus: Gopher snakes
Content
Description General Info
Photo By aspidoscelis , used under CC0-1.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Sonoran gopher snake is known for its solitary nature and nocturnal activity. Their prime time for hunting is dusk and dawn, using their acute olfactory senses to seek out small rodents. As semi-fossorial, they create burrows or utilize existing ones for shelter, demonstrating an ecological role as both predator and soil aerator. Living in various environments, they exhibit tremendous adaptability, a testament to their resilience.
General Info
Lifespan
15-20 years
Diet
Sonoran gopher snake predominantly feeds on small mammals, particularly rodents like mice and rats. They are also known to consume birds, eggs, and small reptiles. Their diet is mainly carnivorous and they tend to be opportunistic feeders.
Appearance
Sonoran gopher snake is a large, heavy-bodied snake with smooth, glossy scales. It primarily exhibits dark brown or black coloring, often patterned with lighter, cream-colored bands or blotches along its length. It has a distinctively pointed snout and a long, tapering tail. Adults typically exhibit a greater intensity of coloration compared with their younger counterparts.
Behavior
Sonoran gopher snake is a solitary, non-migratory species known for its burrowing and hibernation behavior. It tends to be more active at night, utilizing its natural camouflage to hunt. Its survival is largely reliant on its defensive behavior of hissing and bluffing strikes when threatened, while also exhibiting territorial marking through bodily secretions.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Colubrids Genus
Gopher snakes Species
Sonoran gopher snake 
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