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Plains Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
43.6319, -111.774
Field Notes
Description:
A long slender snake with a round head. The body is light tan with darker brown or black markings. WARNING: Although the plains gopher snake is non-venomous it bears a striking resemblance to the prairie rattlesnake and the western diamondback rattlesnake, which can be deadly. DO NOT pick up any snake without a positive identification.
Habitat:
Varied: Scrubland, grassland, desert, rocky hillsides.
Notes:
The plains gopher snake is a harmless colubrid snake. It does however resemble a few species of rattlesnake, which are venomous. Rattlesnakes have a larger head and body, and a rattle on the end of the tail. Baby rattlesnakes may not have a rattle if they have not molted yet. They can be even more deadly than adults since they have not learned to control venom flow.
Other snake species in the US look like poisonous snakes as well, so if you want a better look, be very careful.
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