San Diego Gopher Snake (Albino)

San Diego Gopher Snake (Albino)

Scientific Name: Pituophis catenifer annectens
Common Name: San Diego Gopher Snake

Species Overview

Size: Adult San Diego Gopher Snakes typically reach 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) in length; in rare cases, they may approach 7 feet (2.1 m). They are medium-to-large constrictors with slender yet muscular bodies, keeled scales, and a pointed snout suited for burrowing.

Appearance: The Albino San Diego Gopher Snake is a visually radiant morph showcasing the full effect of the Albino gene on this already vibrant subspecies. The dark pigments are removed, revealing brilliant yellows, pinks, and orange-red blotches set against a cream to white background. The Albino’s ruby-red eyes and high-contrast patterning make this morph especially striking under natural light. San Diego Gopher Snakes already tend to exhibit warm undertones compared to more northern localities, and the Albino expression enhances those golden desert hues into a glowing, fiery palette. This morph is a favourite among Pituophis enthusiasts for its intense coloration and crisp contrast.

Distribution: Native to Southern California, primarily within San Diego, Riverside, Orange, and southwestern San Bernardino counties. This subspecies occupies coastal scrub, chaparral, and arid foothill habitats.

Habitat: In the wild, San Diego Gopher Snakes inhabit dry grasslands, desert edges, and chaparral ecosystems with loose soil or sandy substrate. In captivity, they thrive in terrestrial enclosures that replicate this environment—open layouts with burrowing substrate, rocky hides, and strong overhead lighting to simulate their natural sun exposure.

Behaviour: San Diego Gopher Snakes are intelligent, alert, and primarily diurnal. Known for their impressive defensive displays in the wild—hissing, tail vibration, and head flattening—they typically tame down quickly in captivity and become confident, active snakes that tolerate handling well.

Captive Care

Enclosure: Provide an adult enclosure at least 4 feet × 2 feet × 2 feet, though larger is ideal. Use dry, loose substrate such as aspen, sand-soil blend, or coconut chip mix to allow for burrowing. Include multiple hides, basking rocks, and climbing branches for environmental variety.

Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a daytime gradient of 78–86°F (25–30°C) with a basking area near 90°F (32°C). Allow nighttime temperatures to drop to 68–72°F (20–22°C). Keep humidity low, between 30–45%, increasing slightly during shedding.

Diet: Offer thawed rodents proportional to the snake’s girth—juveniles every 5–7 days and adults every 10–14 days. San Diego Gopher Snakes are reliable feeders with strong appetites and fast metabolisms.

Behaviour in Captivity: Active, inquisitive, and hardy, Albino San Diego Gopher Snakes adapt easily to captivity. They enjoy exploring and benefit from enclosures with visual complexity. With regular handling, they become calm and engaging display animals.

Special Considerations: As with all Pituophis, these snakes are strong and require secure, escape-proof enclosures. Their activity level and feeding response make them better suited for intermediate keepers.

Genetics Note

Albino (Recessive): Removes all black pigmentation, revealing vivid yellows, oranges, and reds. In the San Diego subspecies, the Albino gene produces a particularly warm and vibrant expression, emphasizing the natural desert tones of this locality.

Genetic Combination Summary

The San Diego Gopher Snake (Albino) expresses one recessive trait:

• Albino (Recessive): Removes dark pigments, producing vivid yellow and orange blotches with red eyes and pale background tones.

The Albino morph highlights the natural beauty of the San Diego Gopher Snake, turning its desert camouflage into a bright, fiery display of colour. Highly sought after for its striking appearance and strong feeding reliability, this morph remains one of the most iconic and visually appealing forms of the Pituophis catenifer complex.