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Definition of gopher snake

gopher snake

Plural:gopher snakes
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• noun

1

North American A large, non-venomous constricting snake of the genus Pituophis, native to North America, characterized by a heavily blotched pattern and highly beneficial for controlling agricultural rodent populations.

Example

"The farmer was happy to find a gopher snake in the barn, knowing it would help keep the local mice and rat populations in check."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for gopher snake

Word Nuance & Usage

Often mistaken for the venomous rattlesnake due to its similar blotched coloration and defensive behavior of flattening its head and vibrating its tail in dry brush.

• Nearby Words

gooseneck
goosey
gopher
gopher snake
gopher tortoise
goral
gordita

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Gopher snake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/gopher-snake
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