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Pituophis catenifer
Pacific Gopher Snake
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Photographer: Aaron Schusteff
ID: 0000 0000 0709 0968 (2009-07-13)Copyright © 2009 Aaron Schusteff
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INFORMATION PROVIDED WITH THE PHOTO
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date of photo Apr 23, 2008
location
On Bitterwater Rd, north of Carizzo Plains (San Luis Obispo County, California, US)family
Colubridae
notes Found in warm mid-morning sun on road. An excellent rattlesnake mimic...which is what we thought it was. However, note that there is no rattle, the pupils of the eyes are round rather than vertically elliptical, and there are no pits in front of and below the eyes. And although the head is quite triangular --- when alarmed gopher snake can flatten and bulge their heads into this shape. Moreover, a careful comparison of the 'blotching pattern' of this snake with rattlesnake images will convince one that this is indeed a gopher snake, though they're similar in general look and easy to mistake. Finally, this snake has a glossy sheen, which is characteristic of gopher snakes, not rattlesnakes. This gopher snake was found in an area of overlap for the two subspecies P. c. catenifer and P. c. annectens. I cannot determine which subspecies it is.photo category: Animal - Reptile
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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ANIMAL
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| common names
Pacific Gopher Snake (photographer)
View The Reptile Database record for Pituophis cateniferView all photos in CalPhotos of Pituophis catenifer Check Google Images for Pituophis catenifer |
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The photographer's identification Pituophis catenifer has not been reviewed. Click here to review or comment on the identification. |
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Using this photo The thumbnail photo (128x192 pixels) on this page may be freely used for personal or academic purposes without prior permission under the Fair Use provisions of US copyright law as long as the photo is clearly credited with © 2009 Aaron Schusteff.
For other uses, or if you have questions, contact Aaron Schusteff arbonius2[AT]sbcglobal.net. (Replace the [AT] with the @ symbol before sending an email.) |
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