Gopher snakes eat mostly rodents such as mice, rats, voles, and gophers, plus birds, eggs, and lizards, and they kill by constriction rather than venom.
What Gopher Snakes Eat
Gopher snakes live across western North America. They are non-venomous constrictors that hunt both on the ground and underground, often following rodents into burrows. Their diet includes:
- Pocket gophers, mice, voles, and rats
- Ground squirrels and young rabbits
- Birds and bird eggs
- Lizards (more common in young snakes)
How They Hunt
Gopher snakes find prey by scent and movement. They grab the animal, wrap their coils around it, and squeeze until it dies, then swallow it head first. Because they eat so many rodents, they are good neighbors on farms, ranches, and in gardens.
Rattlesnake Look-Alikes
Gopher snakes are often mistaken for rattlesnakes. When threatened, they flatten their heads, puff up, hiss, and vibrate their tails, which can sound like a rattle in dry leaves. Unlike rattlesnakes, they have a slim head, round pupils, and no rattle. They are not venomous, but they can bite if handled.
Gopher Snakes as Pets
Captive gopher snakes do well on frozen-thawed mice, then rats as they grow, every 7 to 14 days. Use appropriately sized prey, keep a proper heat gradient, and avoid handling for a couple of days after meals. Check local laws before keeping any native snake.
Bottom Line
Gopher snakes are helpful rodent hunters that look scary but are harmless to people if left alone. Read more about what rattlesnakes eat, what rat snakes eat, and feeding snakes frozen mice.
