Are gopher snakes dangerous?I have to hold one and do a report on it for a video conference?
August 11th, 2009 | 
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Amanda G asked:
This baby is about 8 feet long and weighs between 55 and 70 pounds.I’m not exactly sure how much it weighs though.
HALEY
This baby is about 8 feet long and weighs between 55 and 70 pounds.I’m not exactly sure how much it weighs though.
HALEY
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No they arent venomous or dangerous however he seems pretty big so make sure you guys dont hurt it while holding it in a wrong manner which then he will bite. other then that they’re fine
they are completely harmless
Gopher snakes are not poisonous, but if provoked will bite. They are constrictors and kill their prey by crushing it. Generally they are docile and can be handled.
I’ve seen and handled quite a few gopher snakes, never one as long as 8 feet, that’s huge. Even at 8 feet long I seriously doubt it could weigh as much as 55 pounds. They are a skinny snake. Even an eight footer might only weigh 10 pounds, 15 max.
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The Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) is a large non-venomous colubrid snake, widespread in the central part of the United States, northern Mexico, and southern Canada. It is a subspecies of the Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer). The epithet sayi is in honor of the renowned zoologist Thomas Say.
Gopher Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus )
Other common name: bullsnake
Spanish name: víbora sorda
Species Code: PIME
No, they’re not dangerous, they’re neither venomous nor aggressive. I’ve caught many wild ones(to document then release) and they’ve never even attained a threatening posture. Very docile, and the one you’ll be holding will most likely be a pet or display animal so it will be even more so.
Also, I’ve handled a 9ft Bull Snake(same as Gopher), and there is no way that it weighs anywhere close to 55 or 70lbs. It’ll weigh 20 at absolute most, and that’s pushing it, they are very slim snakes.
No, they aren’t. They often hiss loudly, but it’s more of a show than anything. Gopher snakes usually don’t grow past 5 or 6 feet, so it’s probably a bull snake you are referring to at 8 foot, which is a subspecies of the gopher snake. And they don’t weigh anywhere close to 55 to 70 pounds, more like 10. I own both gopher snakes and bull snakes and mine are very tame and calm.