A Sonoran gopher snake roughly nine feet long was spotted slithering through a Phoenix neighborhood on Monday, sending neighbors scrambling for their phones and doorbells, but not for the hospital. The serpent's impressive size made for dramatic photos and video, yet local experts say the creature is nonvenomous and usually prefers to avoid people altogether.
As reported by The Arizona Republic, the sighting included an estimated nine-foot measurement and triggered several calls from concerned residents. In that story, Heather L. Bateman, associate dean for graduate studies and research at Arizona State University, explained that gopher snakes can be active during the day or at night, go inactive during colder months, and deliver nonvenomous bites that are not typically medically serious.
How big do gopher snakes actually get?
Most gopher snakes people run into are in the three- to six-foot range, but records show some outliers. The National Park Service notes that gopher snakes have been recorded up to about 92 inches, or roughly 7.6 feet. While four feet is common, very large individuals have been documented.
Why they look scarier than they are
When threatened, gopher snakes put on a show. They flatten their heads, hiss loudly and vibrate their tails to imitate rattlesnakes, a performance that can easily fool someone walking by. Animal-care pages such as the Phoenix Zoo note that the species has round pupils and no rattle, and that bites, while sometimes able to break the skin, are nonvenomous.
What to do if you find one
If you spot a gopher snake in your yard, the safest move is to give it space, keep pets and children away, and let the animal move off on its own. The Arizona Game and Fish Department advises leaving wildlife alone and contacting a qualified wildlife-control service if removal is necessary, and local agencies like the City of Scottsdale Fire Department provide practical steps for safely observing or reporting snakes. In the rare event of a bite, seek medical attention and skip home remedies such as cutting the wound or applying ice.
With spring temperatures on the rise, sightings are likely to tick up across the Valley. For most people, the best response is a respectful distance, a calm retreat and, if you must, a quick photo for the neighborhood chat before the snake slips back out of sight.
