Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Three days post shed and two days post meal, this WC Sonoran female is about 1.5 years old now and between three and four feet long. Plucked her off of the main Hwy through town on a busy Friday night when she was about 18". Very fortunate that she survived the passing of several cars before I could get out in the street to retrieve her. My gain too as she is a good feeder and has a great personality. Would have certainly perished down in the middle of town where she was ranging.

Text book affinis, very nice and very lucky Good score!

I have the good fortune to live well within Sonoran range so no influence (or corruption) from adjacent gophers or bulls. These snakes are simply awesome.

Damn man, nice looking snake there, very pretty and thick.
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- Matt

1.0 Black Milk '04
1.0 Andean Milk '06
0.1 Eastern King '97
0.1 Bullsnake '09

Thanks Matt! The Sonorans here are fabulously colored individuals with some surprising local variation. Whats more, they are common and frequently encountered by nearly everyone in or near town. They do trend more heavy bodied than the other gophers and as some of the early reptile greats alluded, probably more allied with bullsnakes than to the other gophers. Anymore, I'm just as comfortable calling them Arizona bullsnakes as Sonoran gophers. Seems appropriate somehow...

Beauty of a snake and a great story to go w/ her. Those are the best. I'm blessed enough to have great stories to go w/ the WC snakes I keep too.

reako45

Sonoran's are my personal favorite among ALL Pituophis. Definitely the "beauty in the eye of the beholder" thing as Sonoran's do not seem to be very popular otherwise. Never could understand why either. Our local Sonoran's are usually docile too regardless of small or large. Oh I've had one rear on me but that was definitely an exception and not the rule. I've heard temperament is more variable elsewhere. Other gophers may come and go but I will ALWAYS have at least one Sonoran.