Search Dictionary
Definition of sonoran gopher snake

sonoran gopher snake

Plural:sonoran gopher snakes
JUMP TO:

• noun

1

North American A non-venomous subspecies of colubrid snake native to the Sonoran Desert and surrounding regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, characterized by a yellowish or tan body with dark brown or reddish blotches.

Example

"While hiking in Arizona, we spotted a Sonoran gopher snake basking on a warm rock, momentarily mistaking it for a rattlesnake due to its defensive tail vibration."

Photo by Patrick Alexander / CC0

Word Nuance & Usage

Often mistaken for the highly venomous Western diamondback rattlesnake because of its similar coloration and defensive behavior, which includes flattening its head, hissing loudly, and vibrating its tail in dry leaves to mimic a rattle.

• Nearby Words

sonora
sonora coral snake
sonoran coral snake
sonoran gopher snake
sonoran mountain kingsnake
sonoran whipsnake
sonorous

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sonoran gopher snake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sonoran-gopher-snake
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.