Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So my field guides say Sonora Gopher snake, but I see most breeders display them as Sonoran. Is there a difference, is one right? This has been killing me.
Sam

Sonora is a state in Mexico. The Sonoran Desert covers much of the southern and western portions of Arizona USA and much of the state of Sonora Mexico. There are Sonora indians and it is correct to refer to Pituophis catenifer affinis as a sonoran gophersnake as in "of the Sonoran desert". Lots of folks down there call them "bullsnakes" which is why common names can be such a pain in the rear.

Great questions!

Yeah well I've always been a fan of pituophis, so I decided to purchase an albino Sonoran Gopher. I finally get it this weekend and I'll post some pics for you guys. While I was reading some research on them, it had both names frequently. I was just curious if it mattered or not. Always kept lampro's and such but never any pits. I guess he's a bit nippy too. Which I don't mind since I'm more of a field herper and used to getting bit.
Sam

Yeah, Sonorans are P.c. affinis. I've heard that P.c. affinis are actually Bulls, but lots of places list them as Gophers. I've heard they get bigger than other American gopher ssp. I've never kept Sonorans only San Diegos & Great Basins. Hey, Sam, you've never kept any of those E. vulpina? Those look cool, and look pretty similar to gophers.

reako45

P. c. affinis can get quite large....I once rescued a snake from a woman's house in Phoenix, and this snake was easily 6' ....She called it in as a boa, and with the size this animal had, I'm not surprised she thought so...

They're great snakes and quite beautiful...IMO they are the prettiest of the gophersnakes...However, I'm partial to the eastern species of pits, and have 1.1. northern pines....just love the b&w contrast....

Enjoy your new gopher...they are really undemanding captives and most never turn down a meal....they are a pleasure to keep.

-AzAtrox

Yeah, I have bred them in the past. They are neat snakes, I just encounter them in the field so often that they aren't new to me. It's like seeing a family member!
I'm really looking into getting a breeding pair again. Non-midwesterners seem to love them and I'm sure I could get rid of the clutch within weeks. Shipping snakes is just a hassle.
Not to mention I have coords for 6 egg clutches. I'm going to keep an eye on them...especially in August, and hopefully I will get there right in time.
Sam

The vulpina are sweet. I have both the vulpina and the gloydi. I just had my vulpina clutch hatch a few weeks ago (even had twins!). They are much more pit like than rat like. Fast, fast, fast metabolisms! Visually they look more like pituophis as well. Captive born babies are extremely strong feeders as well. I have produced these 4 times now and have never had a single baby refuse a meal. If a person likes pits I can pretty well assure that they will like the foxes. Here is a pic of one of my gloydi. Take care.

Jeremy

My goal is to hatch out an albino, or some genetic rariety. That would be so sweet to see an albino vulpina/gloydi. Every other rat has albino's floating around.....why not fox's? If you hatch one out let me know.
Sam

Yeah, they do look very Pit like. Good looking snake. Thanx for posting the pic. I want a pair already!

reako45

Might as well post a few pics....I never really took captive shots of mine since I have so many field pics.

Sam

Those are great pics! What locality (state anyway) are those from. It is funny how a lot of people think that only the gloydi can have the coppery head. Here is a pic of my male vulpina. He sports the coppery head while my female does not. Those are some beautiful animals and outstanding pics. Thank you very much for posting. I wish more people were into them. They really are a neat animal. Take care!

Jeremy

And here is a pic of my female. She is a Wisconsin animal.

Thanks for compliement, well appreciated. You take some great captive shots...something I need to work on. That male is gorgeous.
All of the snakes you seen were Henry/Mercer Co. IL. The northern part of Illinois produces some great looking vulpina man. Where do you live by the way?

Sam

Thank you for the compliments. I am in Salina, Kansas. Again those pics are outstanding. Thank you and take care!

Jeremy