Being that snakes are cold blooded, they don't have to eat a lot, but having said that, they are not dangerous and would be fun to have around, and will get a few gophers and mice. Your snake certainly won't do any damage. I have caught gopher snakes, rattle snakes, king snakes, garter snakes, and green racers. My experience with gopher snakes is that they are the quickest of the lot to anger. 6' is a large gopher snake. Enjoy having him or her around. Kern in Newman Ca.