Arizona's WildLife

The Sonoran gopher snake is a non-venomous colubrid native to Arizona’s deserts, grasslands, and scrubby areas. Often mistaken for rattlesnakes due to its similar coloration and defensive behaviors—such as hissing and tail rattling—this large snake is an important predator of rodents, birds, and eggs. It uses constriction to subdue its prey, wrapping its muscular body around the target until immobilized. Typically active during the day in cooler months and nocturnal during the hottest parts of summer, Sonoran gopher snakes are excellent climbers and swimmers, capable of navigating rocky terrain and burrows with ease. They play a vital ecological role in controlling rodent populations, helping to maintain balance in their native habitats while posing no venomous threat to humans.