Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The Sonoran's are up and cruising now in southern AZ. Found this brown individual this morning. Don't see many brown individuals here as most are the classic tan, orange and red with some black edging here and there. This snake has probably only been up for a day or two at most as it still has a little dried mud on the back of its head - a holdover from its overwintering burrow.

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"The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."

A nice representative of the species. Are you going to keep it?
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

Bob,

I used her in a snake talk at the library this morning as that was my primary intent for holding onto her longer than overnight. Now the weather is on the down turn until late this week so I will hold onto her at least until then. Of course, the danger is that I will become increasingly attached to her over time and be tempted beyond my ability to resist. She is a pretty brown Sonoran probably between three and four years old. She readily took a mouse this morning too. Perhaps my better judgement will prevail but it's too early to tell at this point...
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"The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."

If you found her near any roads you could keep her to prevent her getting pancaked by a car.

I am thinking of making a bumper sticker that says "I BRAKE FOR STICKS!" which I do a lot in the spring thinking the stick might be a snake.
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

Lots of Sonorans get hit by cars here. Consequently, you rarely see individuals much over four feet long. This one was found at one of the local motels that fronts the main Hwy. Only a matter of time before it ended up out in the road to sun itself. Same thing with my big male Sonoran, Senoir. In his case, I certainly saved his life by removing him from the middle of the Hwy.

This brown gal has an unbelievably nice temperament and will probably end up with us. Some of my family members are already growing quite fond of her.

As for the bumper sticker, I have one from the now defunct Home Grown Herps business (the source of Ahnuld), that boldly proclaims "I Brake for Snakes"...
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"The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."

Good on you for keeping her. She will live a lot longer with you, rather than out near all those dangerous roads.

I wish Home Grown Herps was still happening. I missed an opportunity to get some of his fine pits. Wonder what happened to him?
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

He had some fabulous Pits! Not sure what happened there but he is heavy into venomous snakes these days
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"The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."

That's one clean-looking snake. It's interesting how much natural variation occurs in wild gophers.

Tim

Tim, the potential for variation in gophers, other snakes and other reptiles for that matter, is staggering. The same traits that we see in wild populations, albeit in muted, mostly cryptic degrees, is what breeders have learned to exploit to produce all of the various morphs that are broadly enjoyed in the pet trade.
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“You could have a snake for 30 years and the second you leave his cage door cracked, he’s gone, and they’ll never come to you unless you’re holding a mouse in your teeth.” (Bill Haast, 1997).