Gopher Snake Vs Rat Snake Size, Weight, Overall Comparison

1. Taxonomy:

Gopher Snake:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Squamata

Family: Colubridae

Genus: Pituophis

Species: P. catenifer

Subspecies: Various subspecies exist, including P. c. catenifer, P. c. deserticola, P. c. affinis, among others.

Rat Snake:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Squamata

Family: Colubridae

Genus: Pantherophis

Species: P. obsoletus (Western rat snake), P. alleghaniensis (Eastern rat snake), P. emoryi (Texas rat snake), P. spiloides (Gray rat snake), among others.

Both gopher snakes and rat snakes belong to the Colubridae family, but they are classified into different genera: Pituophis for gopher snakes and Pantherophis for rat snakes.

2. Appearance:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes typically have a robust body with keeled scales, giving them a slightly rough texture. Their coloration varies widely depending on the subspecies and geographic location, but they commonly have a pattern of large blotches or saddles along their back, which may resemble those of rattlesnakes, helping them to mimic a venomous snake as a defense mechanism. The background color can range from yellowish to tan, brown, or gray.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes also have a robust body with smooth scales. They display considerable variation in color and pattern, but they generally have a series of blotches or stripes along their dorsal side. Eastern rat snakes, for example, often have black or brown blotches on a lighter background, while gray rat snakes may have a gray or silver appearance with darker markings.

3. Head and Tail Morphology:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes have a distinct head shape that is slightly wider than their neck and somewhat triangular in appearance. Their heads are not as pronounced as those of venomous snakes, lacking prominent heat-sensing pits. The tail of gopher snakes tapers gradually to a point.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes typically have a more elongated and slender head compared to gopher snakes. Their heads are not as triangular as those of gopher snakes and lack prominent heat-sensing pits as well. The tail of rat snakes also tapers gradually to a point, similar to gopher snakes.

4. Venomous Potency:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes are non-venomous and pose no threat to humans. They rely on constriction to subdue their prey rather than venom.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes are also non-venomous and do not possess venom glands. Like gopher snakes, they use constriction to overpower their prey.

5. Size:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes vary in size depending on the subspecies and geographic location. On average, they typically measure between 3 to 6 feet (0.9 to 1.8 meters) in length, with some individuals reaching lengths of up to 7 feet (2.1 meters).

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes also exhibit variation in size based on the species and geographic range. Eastern rat snakes, for example, usually range from 3 to 6 feet (0.9 to 1.8 meters) in length, while Texas rat snakes may reach lengths of up to 7 feet (2.1 meters).

6. Weight:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes generally weigh between 1 to 4 pounds (0.45 to 1.8 kilograms), with variations depending on factors such as age, sex, and geographic location.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes typically weigh between 1 to 3 pounds (0.45 to 1.4 kilograms), although larger individuals may weigh slightly more. Like gopher snakes, weight can vary based on factors such as age, sex, and geographic location.

7. Bite Force (PSI):

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes do not possess significant bite force compared to venomous snakes since they rely on constriction rather than venom to subdue their prey. As such, their bite force is relatively low.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes also have a relatively low bite force compared to venomous snakes. Like gopher snakes, they use constriction as their primary method of prey immobilization, so their bite force is not a prominent feature.

8. Physical Offensive Advantages:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes have a robust body and are proficient climbers, allowing them to pursue prey in various environments, including burrows. Their ability to mimic the appearance and behavior of rattlesnakes serves as a defensive mechanism against predators.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes are agile climbers and proficient hunters, capable of navigating diverse habitats in search of prey. Their ability to control rodent populations makes them valuable to ecosystems and agricultural settings.

9. Physical Defensive Advantages:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes possess effective camouflage and mimicry, resembling venomous rattlesnakes, which helps deter potential predators. Additionally, their robust body and strong musculature aid in defense against threats.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes have similar defensive mechanisms to gopher snakes, including camouflage and mimicry. Their ability to escape into trees or burrows also enhances their defense against predators.

10. Speed (Km/hour or Mile/hour):

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes are not known for their exceptional speed. They are relatively slow-moving compared to some other snake species, with most of their movement characterized by deliberate and cautious progression.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes are generally more agile and faster-moving than gopher snakes, especially when hunting or evading predators. While not exceptionally fast, they can move swiftly when necessary, particularly in pursuit of prey or when escaping danger.

11. Agility:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes are less agile compared to rat snakes due to their bulkier body and slightly slower movements. While they can climb and navigate various terrains, their agility is not their primary attribute.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes are known for their agility and adaptability in different environments. They are skilled climbers and can move with ease through trees, bushes, and rocky terrain. This agility aids them in hunting prey and avoiding predators.

12. Senses:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes rely primarily on their sense of smell to detect prey and predators. Like most snakes, they possess a specialized organ called the Jacobson’s organ, which detects chemical cues in the environment.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes have well-developed senses of smell and sight, which they use to locate prey and navigate their surroundings. Their eyesight is particularly acute, allowing them to detect movement and potential threats from a distance.

13. Overall Physical Capacity:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes are adapted for a semi-fossorial lifestyle, meaning they are well-suited for both above-ground and underground habitats. While they may not possess exceptional speed or agility, their robust build and climbing abilities contribute to their overall physical capacity.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes exhibit a high level of physical capacity, characterized by agility, speed, and adept climbing abilities. Their streamlined body allows for efficient movement through diverse environments, making them successful hunters and effective predators.

14. Habitat Preference(s) and Geographic Region:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes inhabit a variety of habitats, including grasslands, deserts, scrublands, forests, and agricultural areas. They are commonly found in regions across North and Central America, including the United States, Mexico, and parts of Canada.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes occupy diverse habitats such as forests, woodlands, grasslands, farmlands, and suburban areas. They are distributed throughout North America, with different species preferring specific regions. For example, Eastern rat snakes are found in the eastern United States, while Western rat snakes inhabit the western regions.

15. Tracks:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snake tracks typically show a series of parallel lines with alternating patterns, reflecting the movement of their belly scales as they slither across the ground. These tracks may be observed in sandy or muddy substrates but can be challenging to distinguish from other snake species’ tracks without additional context.

Rat Snake:

Rat snake tracks also display a series of parallel lines with alternating patterns, similar to those of gopher snakes. However, the size and spacing of the tracks may vary depending on the individual’s size and the substrate conditions. Rat snake tracks are often encountered in a variety of habitats, including forest floors, fields, and along trails.

16. Lifespan:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes have an average lifespan of around 12 to 15 years in the wild. However, individuals kept in captivity may live longer, with some reaching up to 20 years or more with proper care.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes generally have a similar lifespan to gopher snakes, with an average of 10 to 15 years in the wild. In captivity, they can live longer, with some individuals reaching 20 years or more under optimal conditions.

17. Mode of Feeding:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes are carnivorous and primarily feed on small mammals such as rodents, including pocket gophers, mice, rats, and ground squirrels. They may also consume birds, bird eggs, lizards, and occasionally insects.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes are also carnivorous and feed primarily on rodents such as mice, rats, voles, and other small mammals. They may also consume birds, bird eggs, amphibians, lizards, and invertebrates. Rat snakes play a crucial role in controlling rodent populations in their ecosystems.

18. Intelligence:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes exhibit a level of intelligence suited to their survival needs. While they do not possess complex cognitive abilities like mammals, they display behaviors indicative of learning and adaptation in response to their environment, such as hunting strategies and predator avoidance.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes are considered relatively intelligent among snake species. They demonstrate problem-solving skills, memory retention, and learning capabilities. Their ability to locate and capture prey, navigate complex environments, and exhibit social behaviors suggests a level of cognitive sophistication.

19. Social Behavior:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes are generally solitary animals, preferring to lead solitary lives except during the breeding season. While they may encounter conspecifics (members of the same species) occasionally, interactions are typically limited to mating or territorial disputes.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes are solitary for much of the year but may exhibit social behaviors during the breeding season or when aggregating in favorable habitats such as hibernacula (winter dens). They may congregate in large numbers during these times but generally maintain their own territories and avoid direct interactions with other individuals.

20. Mode of Reproduction:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs to reproduce. Mating typically occurs in the spring, and females lay a clutch of eggs in underground burrows or other suitable locations. After an incubation period, the eggs hatch, and the young snakes emerge.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes are also oviparous and reproduce through egg-laying. Mating typically occurs in the spring or early summer, with females depositing their eggs in secluded locations such as rotting logs, leaf litter, or underground burrows. The hatchlings emerge from the eggs after an incubation period.

21. Parental Behavior:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes do not exhibit parental care beyond the initial act of egg deposition. Once the female lays her eggs, she does not provide any further care or protection to the offspring. The hatchlings are left to fend for themselves upon hatching.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes are also non-parental, with minimal to no parental care provided after egg deposition. Once the eggs are laid, the female does not provide any further care, and the hatchlings must rely on their own instincts and abilities to survive.

22. Proximity to Human-Inhabited Areas:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes can be found in various habitats, including rural, suburban, and urban areas, where suitable prey and shelter are available. They may inhabit fields, agricultural areas, vacant lots, and even residential neighborhoods, where they help control rodent populations.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes are highly adaptable and can thrive in diverse environments, including human-inhabited areas such as suburban neighborhoods, agricultural lands, parks, and wooded areas. They may also take up residence in barns, sheds, and other structures where rodents are abundant.

23. Behavior Toward Humans:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes are generally non-aggressive toward humans and will typically retreat or remain motionless when encountered. They may vibrate their tails and adopt defensive postures if threatened but are not known to attack unprovoked. However, they may strike if cornered or handled roughly.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes are typically shy and non-aggressive toward humans. When encountered, they may attempt to flee and hide rather than confront humans. However, if provoked or cornered, they may hiss, vibrate their tails, or strike defensively, although bites are rare and non-venomous.

24. Danger Posed to Humans:

Gopher Snake:

Gopher snakes pose little to no danger to humans. While they may strike defensively if threatened or handled improperly, their non-venomous bites are harmless and rarely result in serious injury. Gopher snakes are valuable for their role in controlling rodent populations and should be respected and left undisturbed.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes are not dangerous to humans. While they may exhibit defensive behaviors such as hissing, tail vibrating, or striking if threatened, their bites are non-venomous and typically only cause minor puncture wounds. Rat snakes play a beneficial role in controlling rodent populations and are generally considered harmless.

25. Associated Precautions:

Gopher Snake:

When encountering a gopher snake in the wild or on your property, it is best to observe from a safe distance and avoid disturbing or handling the snake. If the snake feels threatened, it may defend itself by striking, so it’s important to give it space and allow it to retreat to safety.

Rat Snake:

Similar precautions should be taken when encountering a rat snake. Give the snake space to retreat and avoid handling or provoking it. If a rat snake is encountered indoors, it can typically be safely removed by a professional wildlife removal service.

26. Conservation Status:

Gopher Snake:

The conservation status of gopher snakes varies depending on the subspecies and geographic location. While some populations may face threats such as habitat loss, fragmentation, and road mortality, many gopher snake populations are considered stable and not currently at risk of extinction.

Rat Snake:

Rat snakes, like gopher snakes, have varying conservation statuses depending on the species and region. While some populations may be threatened by habitat loss, persecution, and road mortality, many rat snake species are considered common and not currently at risk of extinction. However, habitat conservation and wildlife management efforts are important for maintaining healthy populations of rat snakes and their prey species.

*Summary of Comparison

Gopher Snake:

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Reptilia, Order: Squamata, Family: Colubridae, Genus: Pituophis, Species: P. catenifer.

Appearance: Robust body, keeled scales, variable coloration with blotches or saddles.

Head and Tail Morphology: Triangular head, tapered tail.

Venomous Potency: Non-venomous, relies on constriction.

Size: Average length of 3 to 6 feet, varying by subspecies.

Weight: Typically 1 to 4 pounds.

Bite Force (PSI): Low.

Physical Offensive Advantages: Climbing proficiency, mimicry of rattlesnakes.

Physical Defensive Advantages: Effective camouflage, robust body.

Speed: Relatively slow-moving.

Agility: Less agile compared to rat snakes.

Senses: Relies primarily on sense of smell.

Overall Physical Capacity: Suited for semi-fossorial lifestyle.

Habitat Preference(s) and Geographic Region: Found in various habitats across North and Central America.

Tracks: Parallel lines with alternating patterns.

Lifespan: Around 12 to 15 years in the wild.

Mode of Feeding: Carnivorous, feeds on small mammals primarily.

Intelligence: Displays learning and adaptation behaviors.

Social Behavior: Generally solitary, except during breeding season.

Mode of Reproduction: Oviparous, lays eggs.

Parental Behavior: Limited to egg deposition, no further care provided.

Proximity to Human-Inhabited Areas: Found in rural, suburban, and urban areas.

Behavior Toward Humans: Generally non-aggressive, may strike if threatened.

Danger Posed to Humans: Non-venomous, bites are harmless.

Associated Precautions: Observe from a safe distance, avoid handling.

Conservation Status: Varies by population, many considered stable.

Rat Snake:

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Reptilia, Order: Squamata, Family: Colubridae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: Varies by species.

Appearance: Robust body, smooth scales, variable coloration with blotches or stripes.

Head and Tail Morphology: Elongated head, tapered tail.

Venomous Potency: Non-venomous, relies on constriction.

Size: Average length of 3 to 6 feet, varying by species.

Weight: Typically 1 to 3 pounds.

Bite Force (PSI): Low.

Physical Offensive Advantages: Agile climbers, effective hunters.

Physical Defensive Advantages: Effective camouflage, adept at escaping predators.

Speed: More agile and faster-moving compared to gopher snakes.

Agility: Highly agile and adaptable.

Senses: Well-developed sense of smell and sight.

Overall Physical Capacity: Streamlined body for efficient movement.

Habitat Preference(s) and Geographic Region: Found in diverse habitats across North America.

Tracks: Parallel lines with alternating patterns.

Lifespan: Around 10 to 15 years in the wild.

Mode of Feeding: Carnivorous, feeds on rodents primarily.

Intelligence: Relatively intelligent, exhibits problem-solving skills.

Social Behavior: Generally solitary, may exhibit social behaviors during breeding season.

Mode of Reproduction: Oviparous, lays eggs.

Parental Behavior: Limited to egg deposition, no further care provided.

Proximity to Human-Inhabited Areas: Found in suburban, agricultural, and wooded areas.

Behavior Toward Humans: Generally shy and non-aggressive, may strike if threatened.

Danger Posed to Humans: Non-venomous, bites are harmless.

Associated Precautions: Give space and avoid handling.

Conservation Status: Varies by species, many considered common with localized threats.