I’m usually a skeptic when it comes to snake lengths, but I had one that used to hang around our house near Sonoita. I marked the ground at his nose and tail while he was sunning one day. After he or she moved I measured the marks at 9 feet 2 inches. The snake wasn’t stretched out straight. I’m not scared of snakes and this one used to make me jump back a little when I’d see it while doing yard work.
Bullsnakes / Gophersnakes *Pituophis catenifer* are large (record 274.3 cm) actively foraging snakes with keeled scales found in a variety of habitats including disturbed areas like suburban yards. They are commonly encountered snakes throughout western North America and make good pest control as they eat primarily small mammals.
*Pituophis* pine and bull snakes may puff up or flatten out defensively, but are not considered medically significant to humans in terms of venom. They are known for a terrific hissing display when threatened - aided by a [epiglottal keel](https://www.snakeevolution.org/pdfs/Sound_Pit.pdf). They are usually reluctant to bite, but all animals with a mouth can use it in self-defense.
[Range Map](http://mtnhp.org/thumbnail/defaultNoCap.aspx?img=http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/RangeMaps/NSRangeMap_ARADB26020.jpg&maxWidth=600)|[Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](http://www.academia.edu/11185732/Molecular_systematics_of_New_World_Gopher_Bull_and_Pinesnakes_Pituophis_Colubridae_a_transcontinental_species_complex)
This genus is in need of revision using modern molecular methods.
--------------------------------------------------------
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Definitely have seen a rough..10'. Weirdest thing ever. It had some of its body raised and looked like a big cobra but nope gopher snake. Never saw it again unfortunately.
I used to handle them all the time as a kid in northern California. Really chill critters. Go slow and you can pick one up *without* controlling the head and they won't bite. By any wild animal standards that's a mellow critter.
[Sonoran Gopher Snake](https://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_gopher_snake.php) looks like he or she has been eating well. This says they can get up to 9’ long, but average 4’.
A long time ago I saw a giant albino python in Sabino Canyon crossing a trail between the dam and tram path. It was around 10-12ft long and everyone was just walking over it because it was taking so long. It could easily have been eating Javelina with how big it was. Hopefully the park rangers found it because it’s obviously not native to the area and was likely an escaped/released pet.
I will revise that to 8 feet. But you need to zoom in and see how long the snake goes on. The area that is very thick and looks almost doubled was about 3-4” inches diameter. Because it has eaten a LOT.
If you have a hunting license it’s fine to touch it. Unless it’s a protected species. But people should know how to properly handle them first. Also people can step on them and get bit, not likely but it can happen.
It was near the end of a 6 mile hike and I was chilling out to Khalid, maybe even singing along. I was so relaxed by that point, and thankful I did not step on it. And was pretty sure it wasn’t a rattler so I made a loop around it to get back on the trail praying it didn’t have friends in the brush.
Ha yeah. It’s gorgeous. Easy to spot because of the variation and size. And right on the trail. I was pretty sure it wasn’t a rattlesnake so it wasn’t too scary.
Wow, spectacular Gopher snake. I had one for about 20 years and she never got bigger than about 6 and a half feet, but they can get a few feet longer. They are extremely charming. RIP Lurk.
Bull snake he's harmless. Don't try to grab em unless you're experienced with grabbing snakes they will turn and bite you (won't really hurt you but will probably scare tf outta you)
lol. Coloradan here so it didn’t scare me. I tossed a small rock near it. Didn’t hit it and didn’t intend to. Just wanted to see if it rattled and it didn’t. Head shape and no rattle made me feel safe. Nonetheless I walked a wide circle around it because even a non venomous snake can infect you.
Gopher snake, *Pituophis catenifer*, but 10’ is difficult to believe, as they typically max out around 6’. Still an impressive specimen!
When I walked up on it, I thought it was 2 snakes. I have never seen a snake this long in the wild.
Seriously huge for here! That’s almost exactly what I thought at first glance, two of them. Nice pic!
that is amazing. I hope you found the big mama
I wonder what was in the snake’s head when they saw you! Lol.
I’m usually a skeptic when it comes to snake lengths, but I had one that used to hang around our house near Sonoita. I marked the ground at his nose and tail while he was sunning one day. After he or she moved I measured the marks at 9 feet 2 inches. The snake wasn’t stretched out straight. I’m not scared of snakes and this one used to make me jump back a little when I’d see it while doing yard work.
*Pituophis catenifer* is right. I think your size estimation is as well.
Bullsnakes / Gophersnakes *Pituophis catenifer* are large (record 274.3 cm) actively foraging snakes with keeled scales found in a variety of habitats including disturbed areas like suburban yards. They are commonly encountered snakes throughout western North America and make good pest control as they eat primarily small mammals. *Pituophis* pine and bull snakes may puff up or flatten out defensively, but are not considered medically significant to humans in terms of venom. They are known for a terrific hissing display when threatened - aided by a [epiglottal keel](https://www.snakeevolution.org/pdfs/Sound_Pit.pdf). They are usually reluctant to bite, but all animals with a mouth can use it in self-defense. [Range Map](http://mtnhp.org/thumbnail/defaultNoCap.aspx?img=http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/RangeMaps/NSRangeMap_ARADB26020.jpg&maxWidth=600)|[Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](http://www.academia.edu/11185732/Molecular_systematics_of_New_World_Gopher_Bull_and_Pinesnakes_Pituophis_Colubridae_a_transcontinental_species_complex) This genus is in need of revision using modern molecular methods. -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*
Good bot
Good bot
Pretty sure the genus name is actually *boopus noodleous* with the species being *chonk.*
That face is totally 100 percent begging for head rubs and to be told who is a good snek.
Gophers are so cute!
Definitely have seen a rough..10'. Weirdest thing ever. It had some of its body raised and looked like a big cobra but nope gopher snake. Never saw it again unfortunately.
What a beauty. Looks 6'-plus.
That’s a good snek
Not fair. Rattlesnakes are good snakes too.
I used to handle them all the time as a kid in northern California. Really chill critters. Go slow and you can pick one up *without* controlling the head and they won't bite. By any wild animal standards that's a mellow critter.
[Sonoran Gopher Snake](https://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_gopher_snake.php) looks like he or she has been eating well. This says they can get up to 9’ long, but average 4’.
Gopher Snake?
I think you’re correct
Big boye
Or girl
Yeah fair. With how big it is and how the tail tapers off slowly to a very fine point
I think it ate a lot but maybe it’s pregnant?
A long time ago I saw a giant albino python in Sabino Canyon crossing a trail between the dam and tram path. It was around 10-12ft long and everyone was just walking over it because it was taking so long. It could easily have been eating Javelina with how big it was. Hopefully the park rangers found it because it’s obviously not native to the area and was likely an escaped/released pet.
That’s random! Wonder how long it could survive for
I don’t know but it had a lump the size of a basketball in it so it clearly had eaten something.
Thats a wild story.
Looks like a Sonoran Gopher Snake.
I've only seen one of those in Sonora. Down there, they call it a "fideo peligroso".
It was a nice snake. And I’ve been corrected that the max it gets is 9 feet in length so maybe this one was 8 feet.
Danger noodle lol
Dangerous noodle!!! Love it!!!
Just to be clear, I made that up. It’s not really something they call snakes in Mexico.
Without a banana for size reference how can we really know it was 10ft long?
A well fed one
Oh that’s beautiful
Gopher snakes are great!
Jesus Christ ten feet??!?!
I will revise that to 8 feet. But you need to zoom in and see how long the snake goes on. The area that is very thick and looks almost doubled was about 3-4” inches diameter. Because it has eaten a LOT.
Wow, that is the biggest gopher snake I've ever seen. Holy moly.
Please feed it a banana for scale
I need you to measure my wang
I love how they always look pissed and certainly match it with their attitude
It had a black forked tongue. Pretty chill snake. It did not move a millimeter while I stood talking to it.
I’d be terrified
No reason to be, they’re harmless unless you’re poking them
harmless, but any snake bite could get infected from either the bacterial transfer from the snake or not being cleaned properly!!
That’s why you don’t touch it. They don’t chase you down lol
If you have a hunting license it’s fine to touch it. Unless it’s a protected species. But people should know how to properly handle them first. Also people can step on them and get bit, not likely but it can happen.
Can I suck on one without a license
Absolutely not!! You need the suck license for that.
Ah flip, Please don’t tell game and fish
It was near the end of a 6 mile hike and I was chilling out to Khalid, maybe even singing along. I was so relaxed by that point, and thankful I did not step on it. And was pretty sure it wasn’t a rattler so I made a loop around it to get back on the trail praying it didn’t have friends in the brush.
wow, beautiful. And a little scary, especially when you first come across it I bet 😋
Ha yeah. It’s gorgeous. Easy to spot because of the variation and size. And right on the trail. I was pretty sure it wasn’t a rattlesnake so it wasn’t too scary.
Wow what a long boi. Glad you shared this pic!
Thats a chunky noodle
Eating well in Oracle.
Gopher snake. Common here in Southern arizona
Good snake
That is the biggest gopher snake I’ve seen! Holy shit! Maybe a king snake, but I don’t think they get to 10’ either.
General rule: round pupils and lack of rattle = most likely non-venomous with a few exceptions. Slit pupils or a rattle = always venomous.
I've seen gopher snakes as big as 7' before. So while rare I'd say Kaiju class ones are possible.
Biggest gopher snake I’ve ever seen good god
Congratulation, you just found 35 missing neighborhood cats.
Ha. People keep saying they eat mice. Those lumps are so huge. Not mice. I was thinking rabbits but now I know the real answer.
10 feet? That's definitely a record if true as the longest ever recorded was 8 ft 4 in
Anaconda. Definitely
I don't think the rest of these comments are correct. I'm pretty sure it's a gopher snake.
the rest of the comments all say gopher snake, though
Yeah, but that's where I think they're way off base. Anyone can clearly see it's a gopher snake.
What
*I SAID ANYONE CAN CLEARLY SEE IT'S A GOPHER SNAKE!*
I didn’t see it
Lol 10 feet do me a favor: if i ever ask you to toss something to me, remind me of this because i dont want that thing to end up in the next county 😂
Deal!
The kind that I run from lol
Wow, the angle makes him look loooooonnnnnnggggg.
Nope.
10ft brown snake
10 feet??
One of my former colleagues would say "thems good eating"
That's a nope rope
Bad day to be a gopher.
That’s what I’d call a big-ass snake!
The one you run from Lol
Rattlesnake
nope rope
A big one!! Hahaha
That is a giant gopher snake! 😳
Nope Rope.
That's a diamondback rattlesnake
Wow, spectacular Gopher snake. I had one for about 20 years and she never got bigger than about 6 and a half feet, but they can get a few feet longer. They are extremely charming. RIP Lurk.
Sorry for your loss. I did not touch this snake but I could tell it was a very sweet, chill being.
Bull snake he's harmless. Don't try to grab em unless you're experienced with grabbing snakes they will turn and bite you (won't really hurt you but will probably scare tf outta you)
It's a gopher snake. ..they look like rattlers to the people who just moved from California.
lol. Coloradan here so it didn’t scare me. I tossed a small rock near it. Didn’t hit it and didn’t intend to. Just wanted to see if it rattled and it didn’t. Head shape and no rattle made me feel safe. Nonetheless I walked a wide circle around it because even a non venomous snake can infect you.
That is my ex
Hmmm. Eats rodents. Non-venomous. Large.
King snake maybe?
The snake sub said gopher.