| Pacific Gopher Snake (HSU Natural History Museum) |
HumboldtHerps.com
COLUBRIDS: Family - Colubridae
Information regarding genus nomenclature obtained using the following references:
re: "pityos" - Web3. http://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/herps/pitu-cat.html
re: "pituitarius" - Web4. http://www.pinesnake.de/english/pituophis/pituophis.html
Information regarding list of accepted species and subspecies was cross-referenced using:
A1. Briggs, Patrick, "Pituophis Parade: The Bull, Gopher, and Pine Snakes" Reptiles Magazine,
pg. 66.
1. Pages 644-645, The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians
c. 1979.
Web4. http://www.pinesnake.de/english/pituophis/pituophis.html
http://www.pinesnake.de/pituopis/pine.htm (/bull.htm) (/gopher.htm) (/mexikan.htm)
re: "pityos" - Web3. http://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/herps/pitu-cat.html
re: "pituitarius" - Web4. http://www.pinesnake.de/english/pituophis/pituophis.html
Information regarding list of accepted species and subspecies was cross-referenced using:
A1. Briggs, Patrick, "Pituophis Parade: The Bull, Gopher, and Pine Snakes" Reptiles Magazine,
pg. 66.
1. Pages 644-645, The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians
c. 1979.
Web4. http://www.pinesnake.de/english/pituophis/pituophis.html
http://www.pinesnake.de/pituopis/pine.htm (/bull.htm) (/gopher.htm) (/mexikan.htm)
Complete
Subfamily - Colubrinae
Genus - Pituophis
Genus - Pituophis
Pituophis
| Pituophis c. catenifer - Loomis, CA (possible Great Basin influence) May 1, 2004 |
| Pacific Gopher Snake caught by Brian Bauserman Redwood Creek near Hwy 299 June 15, 2008 Photo courtesy of C. Clodfelter @ RedwoodReptiles |
| Pacific Gopher Snake adult - Coyote Creek (RNSP) June 22, 2009 |
"All'z we got out here is them
rattlers and bullsnakes." I'd often
hear the locals say...
Bullsnakes? I knew they must
certainly mean gopher snakes. All
over the Northwest however, folks
out in the country still call them
bullsnakes. And it's so awkward
trying to get them to see the light!
"It's jest a snake... ... a bullsnake."
There are no bullsnakes in
California. Bullsnakes live in the
Midwest. So why the common
misnomer?
rattlers and bullsnakes." I'd often
hear the locals say...
Bullsnakes? I knew they must
certainly mean gopher snakes. All
over the Northwest however, folks
out in the country still call them
bullsnakes. And it's so awkward
trying to get them to see the light!
"It's jest a snake... ... a bullsnake."
There are no bullsnakes in
California. Bullsnakes live in the
Midwest. So why the common
misnomer?
An answer might be found in the definition of the genus. Both snakes belong to
the genus Pituophis, which includes pine snakes.
One apparent translation of the name Pituophis suggests that the Greek word
"pityos" -meaning "pine"- was used; another translation from the Latin
"pituitarius" refers to "phlegm" or a hissing sound that comes with perhaps the
clearing of phlegm. (Gross!) We're not fluent in Greek or Latin, but the former is
the most widely accepted, though the latter seems more applicable.
One of the features all Pituophis (pine, bull, and gopher snakes) share is a
modified flap in front of their epiglottis enabling them to sound off a loud gutteral
hiss. This hiss is used to warn away threats; combined with a flattening of the
head and and the rattling of a rattle-less tail, most of these snakes can put on a
good show. It's usually a bluff, but larger Pituophis can inflict painful bites if
they're pushed too far. Most Pituophis are powerfully built and rather large
(among some of the largest snakes in the U.S.), and this only makes their
defensive behavior all the more impressive. It is quite understandable why
many people might envision the personality of a bull waiting to charge; and the
Bullsnake is popularly known to have quite an attitude.
The Bullsnake possesses colors and patterns similar to those of its western
cousin - the Gopher Snake, however appears to have a more robust build like
its eastern neighbor - the Pine. Now... most people don't like snakes, and
during an encounter, if they don't kill it first, they usually want to get away from it
as soon as possible. The "You seen one snake, you seen 'em all!" mentality
doesn't go a long way for making a good identification. Imagine such
perceptions among the countless settlers moving west to California in the
1800's; they must have thought this bullsnake was everywhere! Thus, it is very
likely that the name moved west!
the genus Pituophis, which includes pine snakes.
One apparent translation of the name Pituophis suggests that the Greek word
"pityos" -meaning "pine"- was used; another translation from the Latin
"pituitarius" refers to "phlegm" or a hissing sound that comes with perhaps the
clearing of phlegm. (Gross!) We're not fluent in Greek or Latin, but the former is
the most widely accepted, though the latter seems more applicable.
One of the features all Pituophis (pine, bull, and gopher snakes) share is a
modified flap in front of their epiglottis enabling them to sound off a loud gutteral
hiss. This hiss is used to warn away threats; combined with a flattening of the
head and and the rattling of a rattle-less tail, most of these snakes can put on a
good show. It's usually a bluff, but larger Pituophis can inflict painful bites if
they're pushed too far. Most Pituophis are powerfully built and rather large
(among some of the largest snakes in the U.S.), and this only makes their
defensive behavior all the more impressive. It is quite understandable why
many people might envision the personality of a bull waiting to charge; and the
Bullsnake is popularly known to have quite an attitude.
The Bullsnake possesses colors and patterns similar to those of its western
cousin - the Gopher Snake, however appears to have a more robust build like
its eastern neighbor - the Pine. Now... most people don't like snakes, and
during an encounter, if they don't kill it first, they usually want to get away from it
as soon as possible. The "You seen one snake, you seen 'em all!" mentality
doesn't go a long way for making a good identification. Imagine such
perceptions among the countless settlers moving west to California in the
1800's; they must have thought this bullsnake was everywhere! Thus, it is very
likely that the name moved west!
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians (1979)
lists 10 snakes belonging to the P. m. melanoleucus species complex: These
include the Northern Pine Snake, the Black Pine Snake, the Florida Pine Snake,and
the Louisiana Pine Snake; the Bullsnake; the Pacific Gopher, the Great Basin
Gopher, the San Diego Gopher, the Sonora Gopher, and the Santa Cruz Gopher
Snakes.
That was then... This is now...
Recent advances in the fields of genetic research have provided some enlightening
facts about the Pituophis family tree. Currently 5 species and 18 subspecies of
Pituophis are recognized. The list is as follows:
Northern Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus)
Black Pine Snake (P. m. lodingi)
Florida Pine Snake (P. m. mugitus)
Louisiana Pine Snake (Pituophis ruthveni)
Mexican Pine Snake (Pituophis deppei deppei)
Northern Mexican Pine Snake (P. d. jani)
Striped Mexican Pine Snake (Pituophis lineaticollis lineaticollis)
Guatemalan Pine Snake (P. l. gibsoni)
Pacific Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer)
Great Basin Gopher Snake (P. c. deserticola)
San Diego Gopher Snake (P. c. annectans)
Sonoran Gopher Snake (P. c. affinis)
Cape Gopher Snake (P. c. vertebralis)
San Martin Island Gopher Snake (P. c. fulginatus)
Cedros Island Gopher Snake (P. c. insulanis)
Santa Cruz or Channel Island Gopher Snake (P. c. pumilis)
Coronado Island Gopher Snake (P. c. coronalis)
...And last but not least, is the Bullsnake (P. c. sayi), currently recognized as a sub-
species of the Pacific Gopher.
lists 10 snakes belonging to the P. m. melanoleucus species complex: These
include the Northern Pine Snake, the Black Pine Snake, the Florida Pine Snake,and
the Louisiana Pine Snake; the Bullsnake; the Pacific Gopher, the Great Basin
Gopher, the San Diego Gopher, the Sonora Gopher, and the Santa Cruz Gopher
Snakes.
That was then... This is now...
Recent advances in the fields of genetic research have provided some enlightening
facts about the Pituophis family tree. Currently 5 species and 18 subspecies of
Pituophis are recognized. The list is as follows:
Northern Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus)
Black Pine Snake (P. m. lodingi)
Florida Pine Snake (P. m. mugitus)
Louisiana Pine Snake (Pituophis ruthveni)
Mexican Pine Snake (Pituophis deppei deppei)
Northern Mexican Pine Snake (P. d. jani)
Striped Mexican Pine Snake (Pituophis lineaticollis lineaticollis)
Guatemalan Pine Snake (P. l. gibsoni)
Pacific Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer)
Great Basin Gopher Snake (P. c. deserticola)
San Diego Gopher Snake (P. c. annectans)
Sonoran Gopher Snake (P. c. affinis)
Cape Gopher Snake (P. c. vertebralis)
San Martin Island Gopher Snake (P. c. fulginatus)
Cedros Island Gopher Snake (P. c. insulanis)
Santa Cruz or Channel Island Gopher Snake (P. c. pumilis)
Coronado Island Gopher Snake (P. c. coronalis)
...And last but not least, is the Bullsnake (P. c. sayi), currently recognized as a sub-
species of the Pacific Gopher.
1842 was the year Holbrook
introduced the first species of the
genus Pituophis. This was
Pituophis melanoleucus
melanoleucus, the Northern Pine
Snake. Since then new
discoveries of Pituophis species
or subspecies have led to a
relentless quest for taxonomical
correctness. Species and
subspecies names have been
assigned and repeatedly
reassigned. Questions over
whether or not western gopher
snakes were subspecies of the
Northern Pine Snake were
inquiries best left to future
research.
introduced the first species of the
genus Pituophis. This was
Pituophis melanoleucus
melanoleucus, the Northern Pine
Snake. Since then new
discoveries of Pituophis species
or subspecies have led to a
relentless quest for taxonomical
correctness. Species and
subspecies names have been
assigned and repeatedly
reassigned. Questions over
whether or not western gopher
snakes were subspecies of the
Northern Pine Snake were
inquiries best left to future
research.
"See?! I told you it was a bullsnake!"
No... Technically, a bullsnake is now a gopher snake!
"Well how 'bout them rattlers then?!"
No... Technically, a bullsnake is now a gopher snake!
"Well how 'bout them rattlers then?!"
Members of the genus Pituophis share habitats with rattlesnakes throughout most of
their North American range. Additionally, like many of their distant colubrid cousins
(i.e: rat snakes and kingsnakes), species of Pituophis will often take on a defensive
stance similar to that of rattlesnakes. The aforementioned tail-rattling appears to be
classic mimicry. It is understood that a rattlesnake uses its rattle to essentially warn
off any animal it might perceive as a threat. In many cases this relates to large game
animals and the old saying "Don't tread on me." Why get trampled by a bison if you
can tell it to get out of the way! The question however often comes up as to whether
or not the rattle came before the rattling behavior witnessed in colubrids. We ask
"What use is a rattle if you don't know how to rattle?" (Duh!) "Was the rattlesnake the
first snake to rattle?" (If so, did the tail mechanism evolve later?) "Does a bison or a
horse know the difference between a Bullsnake and a Prairie Rattlesnake?" (If so,
what then would be the purpose of Pituophis rattling?) Perhaps most likely, "Might
most large game animals be spooked by any or all snakes?" (If so, is rattling just an
old defensive instinct among a variety of snakes with the rattlesnake being the only
one better equipped?) Without all the facts (Sorry!) we are inclined to believe that
vibrating the tail is just a great way for any snake to make noise. Loose leaf litter
helps if you don't have a rattle! But why then will Pituophis go the extra mile and
engage in further supposed mimicry by flattening the head? Maybe this behavior is
only related to the positioning of its mouth while hissing. Or perhaps rattling isn't
enough to fool a threat that does know the difference between the snakes; thus,
making the head look wide like a rattlesnake may indeed help keep the hooves
away... Not that the snake knows this, it's just that it works. Likewise, many
Pituophis, especially gophers and bulls don't know that their inherited color and
pattern mutations resemble those of rattlesnakes, it's just that they too may help with
the disguise.
Unfortunately, since the arrival of the wagon trains up to the present, countless
gophers and bulls have been and continue to be killed due to the fact that they
resemble and often behave like rattlesnakes. What might have once been a
deterrent is now an invitation for hapless slaughter.
Once when I was thirteen years old living in San Diego our neighbors told us that they
had killed a large rattlesnake and had thrown it over the fence into the canyon below,
and that if I wanted to see it I should just hop over the fence and take a look. What I
found was a headless San Diego Gopher Snake. I was appalled. A senseless
death. And the largest gopher snake I'd ever seen (even now). We measured it at six
feet without the head. What a survivor it must have been: Avoiding eagles, hawks,
kingsnakes, and other predators; simply surviving the elements for so long Snakes
never stop growing. They just grow more slowly after they reach full sexual maturity.
It is very rare to encounter such a large specimen so close to civilization. The first
humans in a new area usually "take care" of the big ones early on. This however was
around 1980 when North County San Diego suburb projects were popping up
everywhere. Our neighborhood was only four years old. Around us virgin fields were
being bulldozed left and right, and this probably roused up some of the remaining old
timers. In fact it should be known whenever you're developing in snake country you
should count on seeing emergency snake migrations. Growing up in this area
through high school I imagined all the wildlife here being squished into canyon
corridors surrounded by buildings and pavement, and the only way to make it to the
next canyon was to find a good sewer pipe or risk getting run over by automobiles.
The imprint in my mind of this snake will last a lifetime. This old timer got the shovel.
There would have been more dignity in having been killed by a hawk. So since it
didn't become food, I made the decision to skin it (almost 7 feet after the stretch) and
turn the snake's legacy into an educational tool by donating the skin to my 7th grade
life science class.
their North American range. Additionally, like many of their distant colubrid cousins
(i.e: rat snakes and kingsnakes), species of Pituophis will often take on a defensive
stance similar to that of rattlesnakes. The aforementioned tail-rattling appears to be
classic mimicry. It is understood that a rattlesnake uses its rattle to essentially warn
off any animal it might perceive as a threat. In many cases this relates to large game
animals and the old saying "Don't tread on me." Why get trampled by a bison if you
can tell it to get out of the way! The question however often comes up as to whether
or not the rattle came before the rattling behavior witnessed in colubrids. We ask
"What use is a rattle if you don't know how to rattle?" (Duh!) "Was the rattlesnake the
first snake to rattle?" (If so, did the tail mechanism evolve later?) "Does a bison or a
horse know the difference between a Bullsnake and a Prairie Rattlesnake?" (If so,
what then would be the purpose of Pituophis rattling?) Perhaps most likely, "Might
most large game animals be spooked by any or all snakes?" (If so, is rattling just an
old defensive instinct among a variety of snakes with the rattlesnake being the only
one better equipped?) Without all the facts (Sorry!) we are inclined to believe that
vibrating the tail is just a great way for any snake to make noise. Loose leaf litter
helps if you don't have a rattle! But why then will Pituophis go the extra mile and
engage in further supposed mimicry by flattening the head? Maybe this behavior is
only related to the positioning of its mouth while hissing. Or perhaps rattling isn't
enough to fool a threat that does know the difference between the snakes; thus,
making the head look wide like a rattlesnake may indeed help keep the hooves
away... Not that the snake knows this, it's just that it works. Likewise, many
Pituophis, especially gophers and bulls don't know that their inherited color and
pattern mutations resemble those of rattlesnakes, it's just that they too may help with
the disguise.
Unfortunately, since the arrival of the wagon trains up to the present, countless
gophers and bulls have been and continue to be killed due to the fact that they
resemble and often behave like rattlesnakes. What might have once been a
deterrent is now an invitation for hapless slaughter.
Once when I was thirteen years old living in San Diego our neighbors told us that they
had killed a large rattlesnake and had thrown it over the fence into the canyon below,
and that if I wanted to see it I should just hop over the fence and take a look. What I
found was a headless San Diego Gopher Snake. I was appalled. A senseless
death. And the largest gopher snake I'd ever seen (even now). We measured it at six
feet without the head. What a survivor it must have been: Avoiding eagles, hawks,
kingsnakes, and other predators; simply surviving the elements for so long Snakes
never stop growing. They just grow more slowly after they reach full sexual maturity.
It is very rare to encounter such a large specimen so close to civilization. The first
humans in a new area usually "take care" of the big ones early on. This however was
around 1980 when North County San Diego suburb projects were popping up
everywhere. Our neighborhood was only four years old. Around us virgin fields were
being bulldozed left and right, and this probably roused up some of the remaining old
timers. In fact it should be known whenever you're developing in snake country you
should count on seeing emergency snake migrations. Growing up in this area
through high school I imagined all the wildlife here being squished into canyon
corridors surrounded by buildings and pavement, and the only way to make it to the
next canyon was to find a good sewer pipe or risk getting run over by automobiles.
The imprint in my mind of this snake will last a lifetime. This old timer got the shovel.
There would have been more dignity in having been killed by a hawk. So since it
didn't become food, I made the decision to skin it (almost 7 feet after the stretch) and
turn the snake's legacy into an educational tool by donating the skin to my 7th grade
life science class.
| For specific information regarding the Pacific Gopher Snake - GO TO page 2! |
| San Diego Gopher Snake - picture pending |
| San Diego Gopher Snake - picture pending |
"I reckon I will."
picture pending
| Pituophis (2) |
| THE BLUFFER |
| Pacific Gopher Snake juvenile - Coyote Creek (RNSP) June 17, 2009 |
| Pacific Gopher Snake adult - Coyote Creek (RNSP) June 24, 2009 |