Scientific Name:
Pituophis melanoleucus vertebralis

Family Name:
Colubridae

Size:
Cape Gopher Snakes usually average between 36 and 66 inches, or 91.5 to 168cm, in length.

Color:
Individual specimens of Cape Gopher Snakes vary greatly in coloration. They are usually very heavily marked, with red or orange shaped blotches at the front of the dorsal surface and black, square blotches at the rear. In the middle of the body, there is a gradual transition from one type of marking to the other. The background color is usually yellow, red, orange or brown, although some animals from the northern part of the region are significantly darker. The Cape Gopher Snake's head is usually free of markings, although they may exhibit shading from dark orange to yellow or white.

Diet:
It is unknown what the Cape Gopher Snake feeds on in the wild. It is most likely that they eat small rodents, such as mice and rats. They may also feed on lizards. blotches at the front of the dorsal surface and black, square blotches at the rear. In the middle of the body, there is a gradual transition from one type of marking to the other. The background color is usually yellow, red, orange or brown, although some animals from the northern part of the region are significantly darker. The Cape Gopher Snake's head is usually free of markings, although they may exhibit shading from dark orange to yellow or white.

Compatibility with Humans:
Average

Poisonious:
No