The Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer) and the rattlesnake (Crotalus species) are two of North America’s most recognizable reptiles, sharing much of the same arid and semi-arid territory. The Gopher Snake is a large, non-venomous constrictor, while the rattlesnake is a venomous pit viper known for its distinctive tail rattle. This overlap in habitat has led to frequent encounters and a complex relationship, raising the specific question of whether the Gopher Snake actively preys on its venomous neighbor.
The Predatory Relationship Between the Two Species
The direct answer to the question is that Gopher Snakes do actively hunt, kill, and consume rattlesnakes, confirming a documented predatory relationship. This behavior is most frequently observed when the Gopher Snake targets smaller or juvenile rattlesnakes, which are easier to overpower. However, large, mature Gopher Snakes are formidable enough to successfully subdue adult rattlesnakes in a confrontation.
This predation is driven largely by ecological overlap and resource competition. Both species depend heavily on small mammals, such as gophers, mice, and ground squirrels, for their primary diet, and they often utilize the same burrows for shelter, hunting, and hibernation. By eliminating a rattlesnake, the Gopher Snake removes a direct competitor for food and secures a valuable, protected territory, making the risky confrontation a worthwhile opportunistic strategy.
The Gopher Snake functions as a natural regulator of rattlesnake populations in areas where they coexist. Their aggressive nature means they are less likely to avoid conflict than other non-venomous snakes. This regular predation helps maintain balance within the shared ecosystem, establishing the Gopher Snake as an ophiophagous (snake-eating) predator.
Physiological Adaptations for Venom Tolerance
For a Gopher Snake to be a successful rattlesnake predator, it must possess a defense mechanism against the rattlesnake’s potent venom. Rattlesnake venom is primarily hemotoxic, containing enzymes like snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) that cause severe tissue damage and internal bleeding. The Gopher Snake does not possess absolute immunity, but rather a significant physiological tolerance that increases its chance of survival following envenomation.
This tolerance is mediated by specialized proteins within the Gopher Snake’s blood serum. These proteins function as toxin scavengers, capable of binding to and neutralizing the dangerous SVMP enzymes present in the rattlesnake’s venom. By inhibiting the action of these metalloproteinases, the Gopher Snake’s serum slows the spread of the venom and mitigates the hemorrhagic and tissue-destroying effects.
While most rattlesnake venom is hemotoxic, some species, like the Mojave Rattlesnake, also possess potent neurotoxins that attack the nervous system. Similar to other snake-eating species, the Gopher Snake’s resistance may involve molecular changes to key nervous system receptors, making them less susceptible to neurotoxic binding. This combination of serum-based and receptor-based defenses allows the Gopher Snake to recover from a bite that would be fatal to most other animals.
Subduing and Consuming a Rattlesnake
The encounter between the two snakes is typically a rapid and aggressive affair initiated by the Gopher Snake. Rather than engaging in a prolonged, cautious duel, the constrictor relies on a swift, dominating attack to negate the rattlesnake’s primary weapon—its fangs and venom delivery system. The Gopher Snake will launch itself at the rattlesnake’s head, aiming to immediately secure a bite or pin the head down against the substrate.
Once the head is immobilized, the Gopher Snake uses its muscular body to quickly wrap one or more coils around the rattlesnake’s torso. It then tightens its grip, employing its powerful constriction method. Unlike the common misconception that constriction kills by suffocation, the Gopher Snake exerts immense pressure that leads to rapid circulatory and cardiac arrest.
The Gopher Snake maintains this crushing hold until the prey is completely motionless, often using its tongue to sense for a lack of movement or heartbeat. Following the kill, the Gopher Snake typically swallows the rattlesnake head-first, a process that can take a significant amount of time depending on the size of the meal.