Coiled bull snake (also known as a gopher snake) sits in the shade under a rock.


Members of the Colubridae Family, the common, large, gopher snake is usually between 36 and 96 inches long. Gopher snakes range in color from cream-yellow to green-gray to tan, with large black, brown or reddish blotches on their back and smaller ones along their sides. Most specimens have a dark line between the eyes and another from behind the eyes to the angle of the jaw. Sometimes striped individuals, with or without blotches, are found. Slow-moving, the gopher snake investigates burrows, rocky crevices and even climbs trees in search of prey. Adult snakes hunt small rodents, young rabbits, lizards, birds and occasionally other snakes, usually by their sense of smell. Prey is killed by constriction and suffocation. Mainly diurnal, these cold-blooded snakes often change their activity patterns to become nocturnal during the intense heat of desert summers. They may be observed sunning on the rocks or drawing heat from the pavement during the day to ready themselves for active nights.


Size: 6000px × 4800px
Location: Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico, USA
Photo credit: © DeepEarth Photography / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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