Gopher Snake Vs Rattlesnake: 15 Key Differences Explained

Gopher snakes and rattlesnakes are two of the most commonly confused snakes in North America. They share similar habitats, can look surprisingly alike, and gopher snakes have even evolved behaviors that mimic rattlesnakes to scare off predators. But telling these two apart is important because one is harmless and the other is venomous. Here are the key differences you need to know.

1. The Rattle

The most obvious difference is the rattle. Rattlesnakes have a segmented rattle at the tip of their tail that produces a distinctive buzzing sound when vibrated. Gopher snakes do not have a rattle. However, gopher snakes will vibrate their tails rapidly against dry leaves or grass to produce a similar buzzing sound, which is why they are so often mistaken for rattlesnakes. If you can see the tail tip clearly, the presence or absence of a rattle is the easiest way to tell them apart.

2. Head Shape

Rattlesnakes have a distinctly triangular, arrow shaped head that is much wider than their neck. This is because they have large venom glands on each side of the head behind the eyes. Gopher snakes have a narrower, more rounded head that blends more smoothly into the neck. However, when threatened, gopher snakes can flatten their heads to appear more triangular, mimicking the rattlesnake’s silhouette.

3. Pupil Shape

If you are close enough to see the eyes (which you should avoid in the wild), the pupils tell a clear story. Rattlesnakes have vertical, elliptical pupils, similar to a cat’s eye. Gopher snakes have round pupils. This is a reliable indicator, though not one you should rely on in a field encounter since getting close enough to check pupil shape puts you in strike range.

4. Facial Pits

Rattlesnakes are pit vipers, meaning they have heat sensing pits located between the eye and the nostril on each side of the head. These small openings allow rattlesnakes to detect warm blooded prey in complete darkness. Gopher snakes do not have these heat sensing pits. Again, this requires a closer look than is advisable in the field with an unidentified snake.

5. Body Pattern

Both snakes have blotched patterns, but the details differ. Rattlesnakes typically have more defined, diamond or hexagonal shaped blotches with clear borders. Gopher snakes usually have rounder, more oval or square blotches that may be less crisply defined. The coloring overlaps significantly, with both species ranging from brown and tan to gray and yellowish tones.

6. Body Shape

Rattlesnakes tend to have a heavier, stockier build relative to their length. They look thick and muscular. Gopher snakes are more slender and elongated for their length. A gopher snake and a rattlesnake of the same length will have noticeably different proportions, with the rattlesnake appearing bulkier.

7. Tail Shape

Beyond the rattle itself, the tail shapes differ. A rattlesnake’s tail tapers abruptly to the rattle, ending in a blunt, segmented structure. A gopher snake’s tail tapers to a point, ending in a narrow tip without any special structure. When a gopher snake vibrates its tail in leaves, the sound is similar to a rattle but lacks the distinctive dry, segmented quality of a real rattlesnake’s warning.

8. Behavior When Threatened

Rattlesnakes typically coil into a defensive S shape, raise their rattle, and buzz loudly as a warning. They are generally reluctant to strike and use the rattle as a deterrent first. Gopher snakes put on a much more dramatic show. They flatten their heads, coil up, hiss loudly (often much louder than a rattlesnake), vibrate their tails, and may make false strikes with a closed mouth. The gopher snake’s defensive display is actually more aggressive looking than most rattlesnakes, which adds to the confusion.

9. Sound

The hiss of a gopher snake is impressively loud and raspy. It is produced by a special structure in the throat that amplifies the exhaled air. Rattlesnakes can hiss too, but their primary warning sound is the distinctive rattle. If you hear a loud, aggressive hiss without a clear rattle sound, you are more likely dealing with a gopher snake.

10. Venom

Rattlesnakes are venomous pit vipers with hemotoxic venom that destroys tissue and affects blood clotting. A rattlesnake bite is a medical emergency. Gopher snakes are completely non venomous constrictors. While a gopher snake bite can hurt (they have small, sharp teeth), it is not medically significant beyond basic wound care.

11. Size

Both snakes can reach similar lengths, but there are differences. Gopher snakes are among the longest snakes in North America, commonly reaching 4 to 6 feet with some individuals exceeding 7 feet. Most rattlesnake species are shorter, typically 2 to 5 feet depending on the species, though some like the Eastern diamondback can exceed 6 feet.

12. Habitat Overlap

One reason these snakes are so often confused is that they frequently share the same habitats. Both are found in grasslands, deserts, rocky areas, farmland, and open woodlands throughout the western and central United States. It is not uncommon to find both species in the same general area.

13. Diet

Both species feed primarily on rodents, which is why they are found in similar habitats. Gopher snakes get their name from their habit of entering gopher burrows to hunt. Rattlesnakes are ambush predators that typically wait for prey to come within striking distance. Both play valuable roles in controlling rodent populations.

14. Movement Style

Gopher snakes tend to move in a more fluid, continuous manner and are often seen actively crossing roads or open areas. Rattlesnakes move more deliberately and often pause frequently. When retreating from a threat, a gopher snake usually moves quickly in a straight line, while a rattlesnake is more likely to coil defensively before slowly retreating.

15. Conservation Value

Both gopher snakes and rattlesnakes are ecologically valuable and deserve respect. Gopher snakes are particularly beneficial to humans because they consume large numbers of rodents without posing any venom risk. Rattlesnakes also play important ecological roles as both predator and prey in their ecosystems. Neither should be killed when encountered. Simply give them space, and they will move along on their own.