Glossy Snakes are medium-sized snakes, reaching an adult length in Cave Creek of about 3′, though most that are seen are smaller. They look quite a bit like a Sonoran Gophersnake and are often misidentified as them (and vise versa). Aside from pattern, Glossy snakes can be differentiated from Gophersnakes by the lack of a keel, or raised ridge in the center, of each scale. As the name suggests, Glossy Snakes lack these keels and are generally more shiney and glossy in appearance than Gophersnakes.