San Diego Gopher Snake ph Super Hypo (Pituophis catenifer annectens)

Common Name: San Diego Gopher Snake
Scientific Name: Pituophis catenifer annectens
Sex: Unsexed
Source: CB

Adult Size: Typically 120–180cm
Native Range: Southern coastal California into Baja California

Enclosure: Secure, well-ventilated viv/terrarium; adult minimum 120 × 60 × 60 cm (larger preferred for big adults)
Heating: Warm/basking area 30-32 °C; cool end 22–26 °C; allow a night drop to normal room temperature

Humidity: Keep mostly dry with strong ventilation, and offer a slightly damp hide/microclimate

UVB: low-level UVB with shaded areas

Diet: Appropriately sized rodents; once a week

Water: Fresh water bowl at all times; sturdy and tip-resistant

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The San Diego gopher snake is a robust, ground-dwelling colubrid from the coastal counties of southern California, with records extending into Baja California. In the wild it turns up in a wide range of habitats from coastal scrub and grassland to woodland edges and farmland and it’s an able climber when it wants to be.

Like other gopher snakes, it’s famous for defensive mimicry: loud hissing, tail vibration and a “bluff” posture that can resemble a rattlesnake at a glance.

In captivity they tend to thrive in a dry-leaning, well-ventilated setup with plenty of hides and enough floor space to stretch out. Deep substrate is worth providing, because burrowing and pushing under cover is a big part of how they choose security.