The Gopher Snake is commonly misidentified as a Rattlesnake because of its similar coloration and its defensive behavior when feeling threatened.

A scared Gopher Snake will flatten its head, hiss loudly, and shake its tail rapidly, doing a very convincing Rattlesnake imitation.

The best reaction when you encounter a snake is to back off, give it some space, and walk away!

The rostral is enlarged and elongated, imparting a characteristic somewhat pointed shape to the head.

[1] In all snakes of the genus Pituophis, the epiglottis is peculiarly modified so that it is thin, erect and flexible.