Pacific Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer)
Resources
Status
- BC: Red – Sx (2018)
- COSEWIC: Extirpated
- SARA: Extirpated (2005)
- Global: Secure (2016)
- Galiano Island Status: Confirmed
Description
Non-venemous, diurnal snake with 2-3 rows of dark brown spots on the sides, reaching a length of up to 1.5 m. Preys on small mammals, birds, lizards, insects, and bats. When threatened, this species will hiss, inflate its body, flatten its head, and vigorously shake its tail.
Habitat
Most commonly seen adjacent to farms in semi-arid brushy areas.
Range
Occurs along the Pacific coast, from southern California north to southwestern British Columbia. It is only known from two locations in Canada, one of which is Galiano Island.
Threats
Unknown.
Galiano Status
This species was collected on Galiano Island in 1957, and was photographed again in 2019.