Of about 12 species of snakes in Washington State, only the Western rattlesnake is capable of inflicting a venomous bite. And that’s only seldom. Snakes should be left alone – and except for a rattlesnake that poses an immediate danger to people or pets – snakes should never be killed. They are an important part of the natural food chain, eating a variety of prey.
They are also very efficient predators. They have hinged jaws that allow them to consume food that is wider than their bodies, but what a snake eats depends on its size. Snakes also can live off their fat reserve for extended periods of time since food is stored as fat. When it comes to hibernation, several hundred snakes and different species may occupy the same snake den.
The gopher snake is often mistaken for a rattlesnake due to its coloration and knack for coiling, striking and loud hissing. It will also vibrate the tip of its tail in dry grass and leaves, further mimicking a rattlesnake. It is not venomous, but rather a constrictor and preys on mostly small rodents. The Western rattlesnake is distinguished by the diamond-shaped pattern along the middle of its back and the rattles on the tip of its tail.