close up of pacific gophersnake pituophis catenifer catenifer head laying on the ground on a sunny day; merced national wildlife

america animal basking blooded brown california catenifer central close closeup cold colors colubrid common dangerous day detail environment eye eyes fauna free gopher gophersnake grasslands ground head laying looking macro merced mimic national natural nature nonvenomous not open outdoor pacific pituophis refuge reptile scales scary serpent snake snout states sun sunlight sunny sunshine united usa warm warming wild wildlife