Pituophis catenifer deserticola
Archie arrived in 2018 as a juvenile. Archie can be a bit intimidating because he hisses and rattles his tail often trying to scare caretakers away. Luckily, he is all bark and no bite or more appropriately all hiss and no strike.
- Average Weight: 2.2-3.3 pounds
- Length: 36-84 inches
- Lifespan in Wild: 12-15 years
- Lifespan in Captivity: 30 years
Fascinating Facts:
Gopher Snakes mate in spring and females lay their eggs from June to August. Clutches usually consist of 3-24 eggs, with 7 eggs being the average. It usually takes the eggs 2 to 2.5 months to hatch. When the young emerge, they typically measure 12-18 inches in length. They are completely independent at hatching and don't require parental care.