{"product_id":"san-diego-gopher-snake","title":"San Diego Gopher Snake","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e San Diego Gopher Snake\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePituophis catenifer annectens\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSource:\u003c\/strong\u003e CB\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Typically 120–180cm (4–6ft), occasionally reaching 200cm\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Southwestern California (USA) and northern Baja California (Mexico), across coastal scrub, chaparral, grasslands, and open woodland\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnclosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e A minimum \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/viperia.co.uk\/products\/120x60x60cm-4ft-pvc-vivarium\" style=\"color:#1a73e8;text-decoration:underline;\"\u003e120×60×60cm Viperia PVC vivarium\u003c\/a\u003e for adults, with a deep loose substrate such as topsoil or coco coir for burrowing, multiple secure hides at both the warm and cool ends, and a temperature gradient across the full length of the enclosure\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeating:\u003c\/strong\u003e Basking spot of 30-32°C; ambient cool end of 22–24°C; night-time drop to 18–20°C is well tolerated\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40–60%; achieved easily in a PVC vivarium with a loose substrate and a small water bowl — allow the substrate to dry out partially between light mistings\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUVB:\u003c\/strong\u003e A 6% UVB tube run along most of the vivarium's width, positioned so the animal can bask 25–30cm from it; while gopher snakes are largely crepuscular (most active around dawn and dusk), there is good evidence that access to UVB lighting supports long-term health and normal behaviour\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frozen\/thawed mice and rats of an appropriate size (roughly as wide as the snake's widest point); juveniles every 5–7 days, adults every 10–14 days\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eABOUT THIS SPECIES\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe San Diego Gopher Snake is a robust, beautifully patterned subspecies of gopher snake native to the sun-baked scrublands and grasslands of southern California and northern Baja. They are active, inquisitive snakes with a striking natural pattern of dark brown blotches on a warm tan or cream background — and this particular \u003cem\u003eph Super Hypo\u003c\/em\u003e line promises the potential for dramatically reduced or absent dark pigmentation in future generations, making it an exciting prospect for breeders and collectors alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGopher snakes are a brilliant choice for keepers with some experience who want a larger, personable colubrid (the group of snakes that includes kingsnakes and rat snakes) that is genuinely interactive and rewarding to observe. They can be defensive when young but typically settle with regular, calm handling, and their hardiness, straightforward diet, and tolerance of moderate temperature fluctuations make them an excellent species to build confidence with.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Viperia UK","offers":[{"title":"Unsexed","offer_id":54783661998417,"sku":"san-diego-gopher-snake-ph-super-hypo - 001","price":91.66,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1077\/6952\/8657\/files\/San-Diego-Gopher-Snake-PH-Super-Hypo-2_2.jpg?v=1788427798","url":"https:\/\/viperiareptiles.co.uk\/products\/san-diego-gopher-snake","provider":"Viperia Reptiles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}