What is the difference between a rattle snake and a gopher snake

They can be found from the west coast to as far east as Illinois. Prairie rattlesnakes, on the other hand, are found from Idaho to Nebraska.

They can both be found as far north as Canada and as far south as Mexico. Though prairie rattlesnakes do not inhabit the west coast, a similar species the Western or Northern Pacific rattlesnake does. Both snakes tend to inhabit areas where there is an abundance of prey. They tend to prefer dry areas with some vegetation, such as grasslands and woods, but can also be found in rocky and sandy areas.

You will usually not find them near marshes or wetlands, or in desert areas. Gopher snakes and rattlesnakes are not aggressive toward humans unless provoked. Neither species sees us as viable prey, as we are far too large for them to eat. If you get too close, however, you will undoubtedly see some defensive behaviors. Rattlesnakes are not afraid to hold their ground. They will coil defensively, hiss , and rattle their tail, creating a buzzing noise.

Further provoking a rattlesnake will usually result in a bite. Rattlesnakes produce venom ; a bite from one is dangerous. Gopher snakes are not venomous, and they are typically not as afraid of humans. However, if they feel threatened, they will put on a very convincing display, impersonating a rattlesnake.

They will coil up, flatten out their neck to make their head appear wider, and hiss. They will also vibrate their tail in the grass, which can produce a similar sound to a rattle.

They may feign-strike attack with their mouths closed , and will only bite as a last resort. A bite from a gopher snake may hurt and bleed, but it will not require medical attention.

You should be well aware of the numerous differences between rattlesnakes and gopher snakes. Though they may appear similar at first glance, they are easy to tell apart. District Election Information. Print Search. Animal Services. Your name. About text formats. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. These pits look like tiny holes or divots and allow rattlesnakes to detect temperature changes and effectively hunt prey in the dark.

Only members of the pit viper family, which the gopher snake is not, have these heat-sensing pits. A gopher snake will often hiss and vibrate its tail when agitated. One of the most obvious differences between a gopher snake and a rattlesnake is their reproductive process.

Rattlesnakes give live birth to young, whereas gopher snakes lay eggs. As a final touch of simulated authenticity, the pointy tail is nervously vibrated. And if that jittery tail-end is pulsating against adjacent dead dry leaves, it can produce a faint whirring noise. Sadly, this often results in the harmless gopher snake being clubbed to death.

As the name indicates, gophers are a major dietary component for this species, making them agriculturally beneficial. Gopher snakes also kill via constriction and eat many other small mammals, such as mice, rats, moles, ground squirrels, and small rabbits, helping to maintain ecological balance. Interestingly, not all gopher snakes react in this melodramatic manner.

More often than not, however, a gopher snake will masquerade as a vicious viper when you approach it.