Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had Kingsnakes for years, but a Gopher only once. Seeemed to me that they are very similar cousins, even regarding diet. I don't recall how he handled, though, but it seems that he was very mellow.

What are your opinions? As a class of reptiles, is Gopher behavior & preferences distinctly different, or quite similar?

Physically - gophers have very keeled scales, kings have very smooth scales. Gophers typically have 4 prefrontal scales, kings typically have 2. Gophers tend to have much longer heads, while kings tend to have short heads.

Behavior wise - gophers are far less likely to accept reptile prey, most (all?) kings prefer reptile prey. Also - I don't think I've ever heard a king hiss - but gophers are extremely good at it.

I think gophers are more intelligent, though I don't really know of any snake IQ tests.
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I decided my old sig was too big.

Also the gophers i have had in the past were much more active, inquisitive, and sociable then the kings I have. Now just for clarification the only kings I have ever kept are the Thayeri Kings I now have and the only gophers I have kept are Pacific Gophers.

Sean.
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1.1 BRB
1.1 Triple Het TPRS's
0.1 Silver TPRS
1.1 Amel Bloodred Corns
0.1 Abbott Okeetee Corn
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1.1 Thayeri Kingsnakes
0.1 Reeve's Turtle
0.2 Amstaff's
1.0 Pudytat

I have 4 Kings (3 Cals & 1 Speckled) and have kept numerous Gophers all either San Diego or Great Basin except for one Pacific. I currently have 3 now, 2 annectens and 1 deserticola. I agree w/ Funky and Sean that Gophers are way more active, which some might equate w/ intellegence.
There have been instances where I've approached my Gopher's tanks and they will approach me more often that my Cal Kings who are very prone to retreat unless very hungry. My Gophers and Cals are all WC. The Speckled however which is CB is almost as active and more tolerant of handling than all but my deserticola. I guess there are alot of variables (WC v. CB, type of Kings, type of Gophers, indiv. snake personality) when it comes to behavioral differences.

reako45

I agree with what the others have said, I will also add that I have never been musked by my San Diego gophers where as all my Cal kings will musk at the drop of a hat and half of my Fla kings will musk as well. Baby gophers tend to be quite "hissy" but in my experience they do tend to mellow out.

Also, I understand what funky is saying about their intelligence as it SEEMS to me they are smarter as well. The gophers seem to be much more inquisitive, and I have never seen one of my gophers bite himself in a frenzy while looking for food. I will also add that although I have had baby gophers strike me I have never had an adult gopher bite me (of course now I'll probably get bit today).

With that being said, the San Diego gopher and Fla king are my two favorite snakes.

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Kevin
www.harrellandsonsherps.com