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Definition of pacific gopher snake

pacific gopher snake

Plural:Pacific gopher snakes
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• noun

1

North American A large, non-venomous constrictor snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer) native to the western coast of North America, characterized by its heavily blotched pattern, diet of small rodents, and tendency to mimic rattlesnake behavior when threatened.

Example

"While hiking in the foothills of California, we spotted a Pacific gopher snake sunning itself on the trail, efficiently keeping the local rodent population in check."

Word Nuance & Usage

The Pacific gopher snake is frequently mistaken for the venomous western rattlesnake due to its defensive mimicry, which includes coiling, hissing loudly, and vibrating its tail in dry vegetation, despite completely lacking venom and a rattle.

• Nearby Words

pacific blue tang
pacific boa
pacific cod
pacific gopher snake
pacific halibut
pacific salmon
pacifier

Cite this Entry

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