Gophersnake / Bullsnake
Cedros Gopher Snake
HarmlessPituophis insulanus
3 photographs of the Cedros Gopher Snake. (c) crotrox, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Cedros Gopher Snake (Pituophis insulanus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Also called
- Gophersnake / Bullsnake
- Family
- Colubridae
- Size
- Large, 4–7 ft.
- Habitat
- Grasslands, deserts, and farmland.
- Behavior
- Loud hissers that mimic rattlesnakes by vibrating the tail; valuable rodent predators, but harmless.
- Identify
- Large, blotched, with a slightly pointed snout and keeled scales — no rattle.
About the Cedros Gopher Snake
Pituophis insulanus, the Cedros Island gopher snake, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Cedros Gopher Snake
- Is the Cedros Gopher Snake venomous?
- No. The Cedros Gopher Snake (Pituophis insulanus) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Cedros Gopher Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Cedros Gopher Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Cedros Gopher Snake dangerous?
- The Cedros Gopher Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Cedros Gopher Snake live?
- The Cedros Gopher Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Cedros Gopher Snake?
- Large, blotched, with a slightly pointed snout and keeled scales — no rattle.
- How big does the Cedros Gopher Snake get?
- Large, 4–7 ft.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Pituophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Pituophis insulanus
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.