Pituophis catenifer, commonly known as the gopher snake, is native to North America. Its geographical distribution includes the western United States, southwestern Canada, and northern parts of Mexico. Specifically, it is found in regions such as the Pacific coast, the Great Basin, the southwestern deserts, and the Great Plains.

The gopher snake inhabits a variety of environments, indicating its adaptability. These environments range from deserts and shrublands to grasslands and coniferous forests. The typical conditions include arid to semi-arid climate zones, with varying levels of vegetation and soil types, providing ample opportunities for burrowing.

Gopher snakes play a crucial role in controlling rodent populations, being constrictors that prey on small mammals like mice and rats. Their ecological niche is that of a terrestrial predator and they are known to adapt to human-modified environments such as agricultural lands and urban areas.