Meet Valentina, our first Pit.

[D Grade]

Really excited to finally have a Pit! Meet Valentina, our Pituophis Catenifer Affinis (Sonoran Gopher Snake). I absolutely love these snakes and have seen a handful while out road cruising or herping around town. From the first encounter, I knew I had to have one. While I love their defensive displays, this girl is an absolute sweetheart and is currently getting settled in her new home. Had to quickly lift her hide to get this shot, but shes been unbothered for a few days and didnt seem to mind at all.

[toddnbecka]

Gratz on the new addition. I've been tempted to get a gopher of bull snake, but have managed not to so far, lol.

[D Grade]

Thanks. They are extremely hardy and strong, made my King look like a wimp after the sqeeze she put on my hand and shes only about a year old.

[Minkness]

Congrats on the new snake! And here I thought you were gpong to be a one snake house hold lol. This makes 3 now, right?

[prairiepanda]

Thanks. They are extremely hardy and strong, made my King look like a wimp after the sqeeze she put on my hand and shes only about a year old.

Yeah, my black pine was stronger at 2ft than my old cal king was at 4ft! I'm glad she got out of the habit of squeezing when alarmed, as I imagine she could do a lot of damage that way when she reaches adult size.

Is Valentina CBB or WC?

[EL Ziggy]

Nice addition D! Pits are great snakes to keep. She's going to grow fast too. They are MONSTERS at feeding time.

[Albert Clark]

Grats D, nice catch!

[D Grade]

Congrats on the new snake! And here I thought you were gpong to be a one snake house hold lol. This makes 3 now, right?

I know right? We both knew that wasnt going to happen, you and I have grown our collections up a bit since we've joined. :). Just wait till the hot collection starts. :)

Yeah, my black pine was stronger at 2ft than my old cal king was at 4ft! I'm glad she got out of the habit of squeezing when alarmed, as I imagine she could do a lot of damage that way when she reaches adult size.

Is Valentina CBB or WC?

I love Black Pines and Louisiana Pines, gotta post a pic of yours. Not sure I understand "CBB/WC", youll have to bring me up to speed on that.

Nice addition D! Pits are great snakes to keep. She's going to grow fast too. They are MONSTERS at feeding time.

Yeah El, she she took a meal right off the bat. Started her off with a fuzzie even though Im sure she can take a medium-large hopper right now. You were an inspiration to get into Pits so thanks for the influence. :). I still want a Kingsville Bull so keep your eyes out for me!

Grats D, nice catch!

Thanks Albert, they are pretty widespread in Southern Arizona so finding them aint too hard. Ive already found a 5' female and almost 6' male in late May, plus a handful of yearlings like Val. I cant wait till she gets that big.

[D Grade]

Is Valentina CBB or WC?

Just put two and two together, she is WC which is my first one.

[prairiepanda]

Lucky you to find a wild individual with a nice temperament! I've encountered a few gopher snakes in my area and they've all been mega grouchy. They don't seem to actually bite, though. Just put on a big show. My pines are both CBB.

Here is my snow southern pine, Kepler:
http://i.imgur.com/HNVEc7X.jpg

And my black pine, Sherkaner
http://i.imgur.com/ohsKMJk.jpg

I'm going to post some newer pictures soon, as they have been growing quite quickly and Sherkaner has been darkening nicely. I got them in early March, and they've nearly doubled in weight! Kepler is about to shed though so I'm waiting to get some awesome post-shed photos of her(Sherkaner has already shed twice). We need more pics of Valentina, too! The wild type Sonorans are so pretty!

[D Grade]

Man those Pines are gorgeous, love the mean look of the Snow. Always good to find people here that are into Pits. Yeah Ill definitely pull her out this weekend and post a few more pics, she should be settled by then. We'll see if she gets territorial and puts on a show when I go in to get her.

The first Gopher I found I pulled over to get her off a busy road and she was mad. Being over 5' she had quite a strike range on her.

[Sylphie]

Uhhhh, I want one sooo bad! Lucky you!

And yeah, definitely we need more pics of Val, asap! :D

[EL Ziggy]

I need to take some new pics of my bulls. It's nice to see the Pit Crew expanding on this forum :).

[D Grade]

Sylphie, will do this weekend. El, I agree, such a cool species to keep!