Pituophis catenifer catenifer, one of eight subspecies, is found from central California to Oregon. It’s common in the grasslands where it hunts for small mammals, birds and occasionally reptiles and insects. Some of the Gophersnake’s defense strategies includes elevating and inflating the front part of its body as well as flattening its head to a triangular shape to mimic that of a rattlesnake. Also, it will hiss loudly and rattle its tail to confuse and scare off any threats.
