Gopher Snake Questions

TheOfficialTiny · 12-10-17, 12:11 AM

I generally don't post in forums but I felt there were some questions I needed answered about my gopher snake. My dad brought me a gopher snake home almost 10 years ago now (can't believe its been that long) and I've always been paranoid about taking care of it right. (not sure of sex) My dad generally is who handled it through the years because I lacked self confidence but I'm over that. So I have a few questions about it:
How do I determine sex? Is it similar to a hognose where its obvious?
How big should a 10 year old gopher snake be?
Is it normal for a snake to make small hissing noises when handling? I'm worried about RI, but it never makes those noises in the tank.
Should a snake be taken to a vet regularly?
I never considered myself a reptile collector but I'm going to have to add a hognose snake soon because they are just so adorable.
Sorry for the novel but I've never gotten any good answers from my local reptile shops.

DJC Reptiles · 12-12-17, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOfficialTiny

I generally don't post in forums but I felt there were some questions I needed answered about my gopher snake. My dad brought me a gopher snake home almost 10 years ago now (can't believe its been that long) and I've always been paranoid about taking care of it right. (not sure of sex) My dad generally is who handled it through the years because I lacked self confidence but I'm over that. So I have a few questions about it:
How do I determine sex? Is it similar to a hognose where its obvious?
How big should a 10 year old gopher snake be?
Is it normal for a snake to make small hissing noises when handling? I'm worried about RI, but it never makes those noises in the tank.
Should a snake be taken to a vet regularly?
I never considered myself a reptile collector but I'm going to have to add a hognose snake soon because they are just so adorable.
Sorry for the novel but I've never gotten any good answers from my local reptile shops.

Sex is hard to tell with gopher snakes, to the untrained person it can be dangerous. I recommend you have a experienced herp vet do it for you. A 10 year gopher should be anywhere from 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet. There are always exceptions however. Gopher snakes are usually pretty vocal and that isn't too much to worry about. If you are concerned, I recommend a yearly vet trip.

Humble308 · 12-13-17, 07:49 AM

Best way to determine the sex would be probing it. Here's a link that explains the process and how it works as well as other ways of sexing snakes. You can buy a little probing kit, but I'd say just bring it to a vet, especially if you've had him/her for a decade then it'd be worth checking out and getting it done right.

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-tel...snakes-1239488

Gopher snakes are known to hiss. Two of my gophers vocalize/hiss when being handled the other 1 has never made a sound. All the best, any recent pics? Always nice to see gophers on the forum.

**Andy_G** · 12-14-17, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJC Reptiles

Sex is hard to tell with gopher snakes, to the untrained person it can be dangerous. I recommend you have a experienced herp vet do it for you. A 10 year gopher should be anywhere from 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet. There are always exceptions however. Gopher snakes are usually pretty vocal and that isn't too much to worry about. If you are concerned, I recommend a yearly vet trip.

Most gophers are smaller than that. Some gopher subspecies and localities don't even hit 5 feet too often. You're talking average bullsnake size, DJC. I know that bulls are in fact gophers, but I think you know what I mean.

DJC Reptiles · 12-14-17, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Most gophers are smaller than that. Some gopher subspecies and localities don't even hit 5 feet too often. You're talking average bullsnake size, DJC. I know that bulls are in fact gophers, but I think you know what I mean.

Okay, though we don't know the locality anyway. Either way they are pretty active snakes, and will Nearpod a fairly large cage.

**Andy_G** · 12-14-17, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJC Reptiles

Okay, though we don't know the locality anyway. Either way they are pretty active snakes, and will Nearpod a fairly large cage.

Yes. A 3x2 foot floor space for most gophers would suffice, but bigger would be welcomed.

DJC Reptiles · 12-14-17, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJC Reptiles

Okay, though we don't know the locality anyway. Either way they are pretty active snakes, and will Nearpod a fairly large cage.

How did need auto correct to Nearpod?

jjhill001 · 12-16-17, 02:00 AM

How do I determine sex? Is it similar to a hognose where its obvious?

No not obvious, females are typically larger in colubrids but that's more of a generalization than a rule. It's really not necessary if you don't plan on breeding.

How big should a 10 year old gopher snake be?

Depends on the subspecies, 4 1/2 to 6ft lengthwise.

Is it normal for a snake to make small hissing noises when handling? I'm worried about RI, but it never makes those noises in the tank.

Hissing is a semi-common thing for gopher snakes, pine snakes and bull snakes which are all related.

Should a snake be taken to a vet regularly?

I've never taken a snake to a vet. However I would if I had to.