Common Name:
San Lucan Gopher Snake
Cape Gopher Snake
Scientific Name:
Pituophis catenifer vertebralis
Size:
Hatch: 30.5-48 cm (12-18 inches)
Adult: 91.5-168 cm (36-66 inches)




The Cape Gopher is named after the location of its natural habitat, the Baja California Peninsula. Here, the snake can only be found at high elevations on the southern tip of the peninsula, where temperatures usually remain a mild 78°F (25.5°C). Hobbyists who own a Cape Gopher commonly assume that the snake's natural habitat is significantly warmer, then proceed to create a dangerously hot environment. This lack of understanding is presumably due to the snake's rarity.



A single Cape Gopher can exhibit wild color and pattern variations along the length of its body. Most begin with bright H-shaped marks in differing orange shades against an intense yellow background. As you trace the patterns down toward the tip of the tail, they begin to change in shape and darken until they are completely black while the yellow background loses its intensity. Other Cape Gophers' patterns begin as black stripes before evenly transforming into the familiar marks of the vertibralis family. When coiled up and alone, many people mistake the differing colors and patterns for a multiple number of snakes.

The average length of an adult Cape Gopher ranges from 36 - 66 in (91.5 - 168 cm). Hatchlings are born at a respectable 12 - 18 in (30.5 - 48 cm) in length. When threatened, the snake flattens its head while simultaneously vibrating its tail and hissing to closely imitate a rattlesnake.



Coloration and Description:
General:
Cape gopher snakes exhibit great individual variation in both color and pattern. The dorsal surface is typically blotched both anteriorly and posteriorly with blotching undergoing a dramatic color and shape change as one moves from the neck of the animal to the tail. Blotches on the anterior portion of the animal are brick red, orange or cinnamon and are "H" shaped. At mid body there is a gradual but distinct transition to bold black blotches that are roughly in the shape of squares. Dorsal blotches range in number from 43 to 47. Ground color is highly variable and can be yellow, brick red, brown or orange. Animals from the northern portion of the range sometimes exhibit bimaris influence and tend to be darker overall.



Head and Neck:
Normally the head of vertebralis lacks discernable pattern except for a sometimes abrupt transition from darker orange tones to lighter yellow or white tones as one moves from the dorsal surface of the head to the ventral surface of the head. Animals showing bimaris influence will sometimes exhibit a light spotted pattern on the dorsal surface of the head. The head is narrow and high with the lateral surfaces being remarkably tall and squared off at the dorsal and ventral transition. The neck is thin and rather graceful for a pituophis. Animals with bimaris influence tend to have thicker necks. The first blotch on the neck starts about 9-12 scales back from the head.



Range:
Cape gopher snakes have a range restricted to the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. This region is also referred to as the "Cape" region or the "Cape of Baja." The exact cutoff of vertebralis range is ill defined because of integrading with bimaris to the north. The general range of vertebralis roughly extends from La Paz southward to the tip of the peninsula. It is interesting to note that there are several other unique subspecies of reptiles that have fairly well described ranges that roughly coincide with vertebralis - indicating a uniqueness of habitat zones at the end of the peninsula.



Behavior
Young Cape Gophers are aggressive and very easily agitated. Their temperament changes from each individual snake, but it is not uncommon for a young one to strike frequently at anything that moves. This aggressive behavior doesn't last long. Once they pass this phase, they are notably more docile and rarely (if ever) strike at anything (food is an exception). Still, the Cape Gopher has a reputation for being nervous when handled. They remain still, but inevitably become active again and squirm before suddenly calming and starting the cycle over.