Judi Carrington, BA

Photo by Jerry Schudda

The largest native snake to Arizona, Gophersnakes are often confused for Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes due to the almost diamond shaped brown pattern on their tan to yellow body and their defensive behaviors. When threatened, they will flatten their heads, vibrate their tails, make a loud hissing sound and strike when encountered. These muscular constrictors can give a hard bite but cause nowhere near the damage of the snake they are mistaken.