Tell them apart
Prairie Rattlesnake vs. Cape Gopher Snake
It matters: the Prairie Rattlesnake is venomous, while the Cape Gopher Snake is harmless.
Prairie Rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis
Venomous
- Family
- Viperidae
- Group
- Rattlesnake
- Size
- Typically 2–5 ft; some species exceed 6 ft.
- Identify
- Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Cape Gopher Snake
Pituophis vertebralis
Harmless
- Family
- Colubridae
- Group
- Gophersnake / Bullsnake
- Size
- Large, 4–7 ft.
- Identify
- Large, blotched, with a slightly pointed snout and keeled scales — no rattle.
How to tell them apart
Gophersnakes and bullsnakes mimic rattlesnakes by hissing and vibrating the tail, but they are harmless and have no rattle.
Never rely on a single feature to judge a live snake. If you cannot positively identify it, keep your distance. Informational only.