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Pituophis catenifer is found from southwestern Canada south to northern New Mexico. Gopher snakes are found from south-central British Columbia and southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, through the central and western United States, and south through Baja California and Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas, and Tamaulipas states in Mexico. In the United States they are found from the Pacific coast eastwards to Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and western Texas. There are 11 subspecies recognized, with some of those proposed as valid species, including P. c. vertebralis, from southernmost Baja California. Several subspecies represent isolated, island forms, including Cedros Island gopher snakes (P. c. insulanus), San Martin Island gopher snakes (P. c. fuliginatus), Coronado Island gopher snakes (P. c. coronalis), and Santa Cruz gopher snakes (P. c. pumilis).
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
Other Geographic Terms: island endemic
Kit foxes Vulpes macrotis , red-tailed hawks Buteo jamaicensis, and coyotes Canis latrans are the most common predators of the gopher snake. They are probably also preyed on by other foxes (Vulpes vulpes and Urocyon cinereoargenteus), hawks (Accipitridae), and large king snakes (Lampropeltis). Gopher snakes are cryptically colored and remain hidden except when actively pursuing prey or basking in open areas. They are large snakes and can inflict a painful bite if harassed. They also behaviorally mimic rattlesnakes by coiling, raising their heads, and rapidly shaking their tails when threatened by a predator or unsuspecting human. Their rattlesnake mimicry can be very convincing and many gopher snakes are killed as rattlesnakes. Non-human predators are likely to be discouraged from attacking gopher snakes when they are mimicing rattlesnakes.
Known Predators:
Anti-predator Adaptations: mimic; cryptic
Gopher snakes range in body length from 180 to 275 cm. They have relatively large heads, narrow necks, and large eyes as compared to most species of similar body length. Gopher snakes are marked with brown to black blotches on a background color of lighter straw to gray. Color patterns vary regionally and often mimic the colors of the dominant cover vegetation in a region. Individuals that are blotched, striped, or even albino are known from wild populations. Their ventral surface is generally white to yellowish, sometimes with dark spots. They usually have a dark line across the face in front of the eyes and from behind the eyes to the angle of the jaw. Gopher snakes have keeled scales and a single anal scale. They have 27 to 37 scale rows at their midbody. Superficially, gopher snakes resemble many species of rattlesnakes and are often mistaken for them. Gopher snakes are not venomous and do not have rattles on the end of their tail.
Range length: 180 to 275 cm.
Other Physical Features: heterothermic
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
The average life span in wild gopher snakes is 12 to 15 years. In captivity they have been known to live for as long as 33 years.
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 33 (high) years.
Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 12 to 15 years.
Gopher snakes are found in a wide variety of habitats, including woodlands, deserts ,agricultural areas (such as cultivated fields), prairies, chaparral, and shrublands. Radiotelemetry studies have shown that, although they are often found near moist habitats, such as marshes and moist woodlands, they prefer to spend most of their time in open parts of those habitats, such as grassland and forest edges. This preference is likely related to foraging activities.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; savanna or grassland ; chaparral ; forest ; mountains
Other Habitat Features: suburban ; agricultural ; riparian
Gopher snakes use constriction to capture and kill their prey. Typical prey include small mammals, birds, lizards, smaller snakes, insects, and eggs. Prey varies regionally but the primary prey in all areas are rodents and other small mammals. In some areas they prey mainly on gophers (Geomyidae), which is why they are called "gopher snakes." Gopher snakes actively search for prey in their burrows and hiding places. They often follow small mammal runways, and are quite successful in capturing voles (Microtus), western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis), Peromyscus species, kangaroo rats (Dipodomys), ground squirrels (Spermophilus), and young rabbits (Sylvilagus). They have also been known to eat bats in roosts. Lizards and snakes taken include side-blotched lizards (Uta) and rattlesnakes (Crotalus). They take birds, eggs, and insects occasionally as well.
Animal Foods: birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; eggs; insects
Primary Diet: carnivore (Eats terrestrial vertebrates)
Gopher snakes play an important role in the ecosystems in which they live. They are important predators of small mammals, many of which are considered pests by humans. Gopher snakes can greatly reduce the numbers of small mammals in an area.
Parasite surveys have discovered mites (Trombicula arenicola) on gopher snakes, as well as ticks, fleas, and chiggers. Internal parasites include a blood protozoan (Hepatozoon serpentium) and an intestinal parasite (Tritrichomonas batrachorum).
Commensal/Parasitic Species:
Gopher snakes are important predators on crop pests and play a role in agricultural losses to rodents. They are also good pets if well cared for. Gopher snakes are sometimes killed because they are mistaken for rattlesnakes, which they superficially resemble, but gopher snakes are harmless and beneficial snakes.
Positive Impacts: pet trade ; controls pest population
When harassed, gopher snakes can inflict a painful bite, depending on their size. But these snakes are non-venomous and will only bite in self-defense. Gopher snakes are sometimes mistaken for rattlesnakes because of their size, coloration, and habit of wiggling their tail when they feel threatened.
Negative Impacts: injures humans (bites or stings)
Gopher snakes are oviparous and have an incubation period of about 65 to 75 days. When hatched the young measure 30 to 35 cm in length. After hatching, Pituophis catenifer exhibits indeterminate growth. In the first three years growth is rapid, then slows for the rest of their life.
Development - Life Cycle: indeterminate growth
Pituophis catenifer is fairly stable throughout its range and is listed as a species of "Least Concern" on the IUCN list. Island populations may be especially susceptible to environmental changes or persecution.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Because they are primarily solitary, there is little communication among Pituophis catenifer individuals. During mating season, females indicate they are ready to mate by releasing skin secretions. Gopher snakes use their tongues and vomeronasal organs to "smell" their surroundings. They also use vision, touch, and sensing vibrations to perceive their environment.
Communication Channels: chemical
Other Communication Modes: pheromones
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; vibrations ; chemical
Males compete for access to reproductively receptive females. Receptive females emit skin secretions that males detect through chemosensation and stimulates mating behaviors. Males will attempt to mate with as many receptive females as they can find. Males and females don't generally associate before or after mating.
Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Gopher snakes breed once yearly, usually in June to August. Some females lay two clutches each year. They are oviparous and have an incubation period of 65 to 75 days. Once the 2 to 24 young hatch from the eggs, they are left to fend for themselves. It takes about 4 years for females to reach sexual maturity, but only 1.5 years for males.
Breeding interval: Gopher snakes usually breed once a year, although some females may have 2 clutches.
Breeding season: Breeding usually occurs from June to August.
Range number of offspring: 2 to 24.
Range gestation period: 65 to 75 days.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 3 to 5 years.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 1 to 2 years.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; sexual ; fertilization ; oviparous
Females lay their eggs in nests, which are sometimes communal. After the eggs are laid there is no further parental care.
Parental Investment: no parental involvement; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
Die Gophernatter (Pituophis catenifer) ist eine in Nordamerika vorkommende ungiftige Schlange mit mehreren Unterarten. Der Artname leitet sich von den lateinischen Worten catena und fero mit den Bedeutungen „Kette“ und „tragen“ ab und bezieht sich auf die kettenähnliche Rückenzeichnung der Tiere. Der deutsche Trivialname deutet darauf hin, dass sie sich bevorzugt von Taschenratten (Geomyidae) (englisch: gopher) ernähren. Der zuweilen verwendete Name „Pazifik-Gophernatter“ bezieht sich lediglich auf die an der Pazifikküste vorkommende Nominatform Pituophis catenifer catenifer.
Ausgewachsene Gophernattern erreichen eine Körperlänge von 180 bis 275 Zentimetern.[1] Farblich gibt es zwischen den Geschlechtern keine Unterschiede. Sie sind mit großen rotbraunen bis schwarzbraunen Flecken auf dem Rücken sowie gleichfarbigen kleinen an den Seiten auf einer hellen Hintergrundfarbe gezeichnet. Das Farbmuster variiert regional stark. Zuweilen ahmen sie die Farben der umgebenden Vegetation nach. Es treten auch Individuen, die gesprenkelt, gestreift oder sogar albinotisch sind auf. Die Bauchseite ist im Allgemeinen weißlich bis gelblich, manchmal mit dunklen Flecken versehen. Sie zeigen in der Regel eine dunkelbraune Linie, die über die Augen bis zu den Kieferwinkeln verläuft.
Die Gophernatter wird zuweilen mit der mit Giftdrüsen versehenen Westlichen Klapperschlange (Crotalus viridis) verwechselt, kann aber leicht von dieser unterschieden werden, da sie keine aus Hornringen bestehende Schwanzrassel am Körperende zeigt. Außerdem ist der Kopf der Gophernatter deutlich schmaler als bei einer Klapperschlange. Es ist davon auszugehen, dass die Gophernatter die Ähnlichkeit von Gestalt und Farbmuster nutzt, um im Sinne einer Mimikry anderen Tieren gegenüber eine Giftigkeit vorzutäuschen. Wenn sie von einem Raubtier bedroht wird, ahmt sie das Verhalten von Klapperschlangen nach, indem sie sich zusammenrollt, den Kopf hebt und schnell den Schwanz schüttelt. Ihre Klapperschlangen-Mimikry kann so überzeugend sein, dass viele Gophernattern vom Menschen fälschlicherweise als Klapperschlangen angesehen und getötet werden.
Gophernattern kommen von Süd- und Zentral-British Columbia, dem Süden von Alberta und Saskatchewan durch den Westen und die Mitte der USA bis in den Norden Mexikos vor. Sie bevorzugt Graslandschaften, Prärien, trockene Kiefern- und Eichenwälder, Buschland und felsige Wüstengebiete. Feuchtbiotope werden gemieden. Neben der in Kalifornien und Oregon verbreiteten Nominatform Pituophis catenifer catenifer ist sie im Südosten der USA durch die Unterart Pituophis catenifer affinis und in der Mitte durch die Präriebullennatter (Pituophis catenifer sayi) vertreten. In der Literatur werden zwischen sechs und acht weitere Unterarten geführt, die teilweise isolierte Lebensräume bewohnen. Einige davon wurden als eigenständige Arten vorgeschlagen.[1] Weitere Untersuchungen zu dieser Thematik sind notwendig.
Detailansicht des Kopfes
Pituophis catenifer affinis
Pituophis catenifer sayi
Gophernatter, die ein Stockentenei frisst
Gophernattern leben einzeln, außer während der Paarungszeit. Untersuchungen haben ergeben, dass sie bis zu 90 % ihrer Zeit in unterirdischen Höhlen verbringen. Zur Nahrungssuche sind sie hauptsächlich am Tag aktiv, nur gelegentlich auch nachts. Sie bewegen sich schnell am Boden, können jedoch auch gut schwimmen und klettern. Wie andere Schlangen durchlaufen sie zuweilen Ruhephasen nach langer Jagd oder wenn das Nahrungsangebot knapp ist. Je nach Verbreitungsgebiet fallen die Schlangen in einen mehr oder weniger ausgedehnten Winterschlaf. Dieser dauert in nördlicher oder höher gelegenen Gebieten bis zu vier Monate, in den südlichen und flacheren Gebieten können es auch kürzere Phasen sein. Sie brüten einmal jährlich, normalerweise von Juni bis August. Einige Weibchen brüten zweimal. Sie legen ihre Eier in Nester, die gelegentlich mit anderen Weibchen gemeinschaftlich genutzt werden. Nach dem Legen erfolgt keine weitere Brutpflege. Die Eier haben eine Inkubationszeit von 65 bis 75 Tagen. Sobald die bis zu 24 Jungtiere aus den Eiern schlüpfen, sind sie auf sich allein gestellt. Nach vier Jahren erreichen die Weibchen die Geschlechtsreife, die bei den Männchen bereits nach rund 1,5 Jahren erreicht wird.[1]
Die bevorzugte Nahrung der Gophernattern besteht aus Mäusen sowie kleinen bis mittelgroßen Ratten, im Besonderen werden Taschenratten gejagt. Die Beutetiere werden durch Umschlingen erdrosselt und anschließend mit dem Kopf voran im Ganzen verschlungen. Teilweise werden auch Vögel und deren Eier gefressen, wobei sie auch auf Bäumen nach Beute suchen und selbst in den Baumhöhlen des Blutgesichtspechts (Melanerpes lewis) zuweilen erfolgreich sind. Amphibien, Reptilien und Insekten werden nur selten als Nahrung angenommen.
Zu den häufigsten Fressfeinden der Gophernatter zählen Kitfuchs (Vulpes macrotis), Kojote (Canis latrans) und Rotschwanzbussard (Buteo jamaicensis).[1]
Die Art ist in ihren Vorkommensgebieten nicht selten und wird demzufolge von der Weltnaturschutzorganisation IUCN als „Least Concern = nicht gefährdet“ klassifiziert.[2]
Die Gophernatter (Pituophis catenifer) ist eine in Nordamerika vorkommende ungiftige Schlange mit mehreren Unterarten. Der Artname leitet sich von den lateinischen Worten catena und fero mit den Bedeutungen „Kette“ und „tragen“ ab und bezieht sich auf die kettenähnliche Rückenzeichnung der Tiere. Der deutsche Trivialname deutet darauf hin, dass sie sich bevorzugt von Taschenratten (Geomyidae) (englisch: gopher) ernähren. Der zuweilen verwendete Name „Pazifik-Gophernatter“ bezieht sich lediglich auf die an der Pazifikküste vorkommende Nominatform Pituophis catenifer catenifer.
Pituophis catenifer is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to North America. Nine subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies, Pituophis catenifer catenifer, described here.[5] This snake is often mistaken for the prairie rattlesnake, but can be easily distinguished from a rattlesnake by the lack of black and white banding on its tail and by the shape of its head, which is narrower than a rattlesnake's.
The specific name, catenifer, is Latin for "chain-bearing", referring to the dorsal color pattern.
Adults are 36-84 in (91–213 cm) in length.[4] Dorsally, they are yellowish or pale brown, with a series of large, dark brown or black blotches, and smaller, dark spots on the sides. Ventrally, they are yellowish, either uniform or with brown markings.[1] They also come in several morphs depending on the subspecies.
The gopher snake has a unique defensive mechanism, in which it puffs up its body and curls itself into the classic strike pose of a rattlesnake. However, rather than delivering an open-mouthed strike, the gopher snake often strikes with a closed mouth, using its blunt nose to "warn off" possible predators. Additionally, gopher snakes vibrate their tails in a manner similar to rattlesnakes. One paper found that gopher snakes on islands lacking rattlesnakes vibrate their tails for shorter amounts of time than gopher snakes in mainland California, which is home to numerous rattlesnake species.[6] This suggests that gopher snake tail vibration may in fact be rattlesnake mimicry since the behavior appears to be breaking down in areas without rattlesnakes, perhaps because predators on these islands have no reason to evolve to avoid tail-vibrating snakes (rattlesnakes are venomous, gopher snakes are not).
Wild gopher snakes typically live 12 to 15 years, but the oldest captive recorded lived over 33 years.[7]
Common names for this species, or its several subspecies, are: Pacific gopher snake, Henry snake, coast gopher snake, bullsnake, Churchill's bullsnake, Oregon bullsnake, Pacific pine snake, western bullsnake, western gopher snake, Sonoran gopher snake, western pine snake, great basin gopher snake, blow snake, and yellow gopher snake.[4]
As of 2022, there is largely agreement on the recognition of six subspecies occurring in Canada, USA, and mainland Mexico. However, there is not agreement among taxonomist on status of populations from Baja California and adjacent islands. The Cape gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer vertebralis) and Central Baja California gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer bimaris) are recognized by some as single species with no subspecies Pituophis vertebralis, or as a species with two subspecies Pituophis v. vertebralis and P. v. bimaris by others. Other subspecies including the Coronado Island gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer coronalis) and San Martin Island gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer fulginatus) are of questionable validity.[3][8]
Standardized English name, subspecies, and author[9][10][11][12] Geographic range Sonoran gophersnakeP. c. affinis Hallowell, 1852
Southwest USA including extreme southeast California, Arizona, New Mexico, Trans-Pecos Texas, and northwest Mexico including extreme northeast Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, northwest Nuevo León, Sinaloa, eastern Durango, north Zacatecas, and extreme west San Luis Potosi (Chihuahuan Desert and Sonora Desert).[8][13] San Diego gophersnakeP. c. annectens Baird & Girard, 1853
Southwest California and northwest Baja California [8] Pacific gophersnakeP. c. catenifer (Blainville, 1835)
The United States, from Oregon west of the Cascade Range, south into California, west of the Sierra Nevada to northern Santa Barbara County and the Tehachapi Mountains.[4] Great Basin gophersnakeP. c. deserticola Stejneger, 1893
South-central British Columbia, Canada, east Washington, east Oregon, southwest Idaho, southwest Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, west Colorado, parts of southeast California, northern Arizona and extreme northwest New Mexico (Great Basin and Mojave Desert) [8] San Martin Island gophersnakeP. c. fulginatus Klauber, 1946
San Martin Island, Baja California Santa Cruz Island gophersnakeP. c. pumilis Klauber, 1946
Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island, and San Miguel Island, California[8] BullsnakeP. c. sayi (Schlegel, 1837)
Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada, central USA including east Colorado, Illinois, extreme northwest Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, east New Mexico, southwest North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, southwest Wisconsin, east Wyoming, and northern Mexico including northeast Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, extreme southeast San Luis Potosi, and extreme northern Veracruz (Great Plains and Midwestern United States).[8].jpg)
Sonoran gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer affinis) Hidalgo County, New Mexico (18 April 2017)
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San Diego gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer annectens) San Luis Obispo County, California (May 9, 2009)
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Pacific gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer), Alpine County, California (March 27, 2004)
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Great Basin gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola), Elko County, Nevada (May 25, 2006)
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Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi), Mason County, Illinois (June 13, 2018)
Pituophis catenifer is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to North America. Nine subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies, Pituophis catenifer catenifer, described here. This snake is often mistaken for the prairie rattlesnake, but can be easily distinguished from a rattlesnake by the lack of black and white banding on its tail and by the shape of its head, which is narrower than a rattlesnake's.
La serpiente "gopher del Pacífico" (Pituophis catenifer) es una especie de serpiente no venenosa de la familia Colubridae propia de los Estados Unidos y de México. Existen una decena de subespecies.
Pituophis catenifer Pituophis generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Colubridae familian sailkatuta dago.
Pituophis catenifer Pituophis generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Colubridae familian sailkatuta dago.
Pituophis catenifer est une espèce de serpents de la famille des Colubridae[1]. En français, elle peut être nommée Couleuvre à nez mince, Serpent-taupe ou Serpent-taureau.
Cette espèce se rencontre dans le sud-ouest du Canada, dans l'ouest des États-Unis et dans le nord du Mexique[1].
Ce serpent mesure entre 90 et 210 cm de long. C'est un serpent constricteur non venimeux. Bluffeur comme serpent à sonnette, il fait vibrer sa queue quand il se sent en danger alors qu'il ne mord que rarement (surtout s'il n'a pas d'autre choix). Il est plutôt couleur sable ou beige et peut avoir des dégradés de couleurs. Les jeunes sont très clairs (presque blancs). Les écailles de couleur claire permettent de se cacher dans le sable sans être vu par des prédateurs. C'est une espèce de serpent fouisseur.
Selon Reptarium Reptile Database (17 décembre 2013)[2] :
Pituophis catenifer est une espèce de serpents de la famille des Colubridae. En français, elle peut être nommée Couleuvre à nez mince, Serpent-taupe ou Serpent-taureau.
Pituophis catenifer là một loài rắn trong họ Rắn nước. Loài này được Blainville mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1835.[4]
Bài viết liên quan phân họ rắn Colubrinae này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Pituophis catenifer là một loài rắn trong họ Rắn nước. Loài này được Blainville mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1835.
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