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View Full Version : For the love of Pits!! *pic*

Vanan
10-13-03, 12:52 PM
Just thought I'd post a lil on bullsnakes and why they're one of my fav NA colubrids. Every pituophis keeper can definitely relate to the "attitude" these guys try to show. And I only mean by showing. Cos they're mostly bluff. Here's what I mean by that.

A typical unhappy bull. Note the enlarged rostral used to dig tunnels of their own. It's funny they even try using it to tunnel out from your hands when holding them.
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/137bullfrontal1.jpg">

For those of you who haven't met a bullsnake in person ( A p-ed off one that is), you'd have to imagine the noise coming from it. Imagine a rattlesnake during a hot day, at full tilt. And now imagine the sound coming, not from a highly evolved tail appendage, but from hissing alone! Ok maybe not from hissing alone, but more of that later.

Here's why Pituophis, are able to sound louder than other snakes. I've never observed this in person, other than from this one, very cooperative bull. Probably because by own bullsnakes hardly ever hiss as madly. It also could be because, I wasn't looking for it too! Anyways, what you're looking at is a cartilage at the opening of the glottis which vibrates when air is passed over it. This is what amplifies and creates that rasping hiss.
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/137bullcartilage2.jpg">

And that's what makes this group of snakes so unique. Now say cheese! :D
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/137bullcartilage1.jpg">

Vanan

P.S. Forgive the poor quality of pics. Sun wasn't very cooperative that day.
seann
10-13-03, 01:21 PM
the first pic on the top the bull snake looks like an old man hehehe, freaky! they are very cool and oringanl! i dont know how to spell unique, anyways dude i love the snakes! awsome pics to!
U r a good photographer!
JD@reptiles
10-13-03, 01:37 PM
nice shots man!
Bartman
10-13-03, 01:39 PM
nice shots, must have been hard to get those. I have a question, a general one, on the last pic. What is the little round thing, my tegu has it in its mouth to, aswell as my snake. What is it?
ChokeOnSmoke
10-13-03, 01:42 PM
nice shots I especially like the last one
DarkHunter
10-13-03, 01:55 PM
Nice shots!!!!!!
Jeff_Favelle
10-13-03, 02:18 PM
Ha ha those are GREAT photos man! :D
TheRedDragon
10-13-03, 03:15 PM
*ROWR*! *LOL* Such attitude from those guys! *L* Awesome shots Vanan. :)
Vanan
10-13-03, 03:31 PM
Bartman, if you're referring to the little round hollow thing, that is the glottis. It is the air opening which goes into the trachea. All snakes have this. Not sure about the lizards though. Helps snakes keep breathing while they're swallowing huge prey.
Tim_Cranwill
10-13-03, 03:34 PM
What do you mean "poor quality of the shots..."?!?!? Those are GREAT pics! :D Very cool....
Vanan
10-13-03, 03:38 PM
Er...I meant more like, the lighting was kinda off. :D Thanks for the compliments anyways guys. Just thought I'd try to share stuff on one of my fav snakes. :)
Ryan
10-13-03, 05:20 PM
Thanks for sharing Vanan, those are great pics and for the info!!!
beth wallbank
10-13-03, 07:35 PM
those are great shots Vanan. Glad to see you're making yourselves at home in Sask. Thanks for sharing those pics with us
Clownfishie
10-13-03, 10:18 PM
Awesome pics Vanan!! :D Too cool....
Pitviper
10-14-03, 05:39 AM
Great shots Vanan. Itīs very difficult to get a clean and deep-sharp picture when trying to get such brilliant close-upīs like yours. Fantastic snake, congratulations. :o)
NewLineReptile
10-14-03, 06:27 AM
Great pic's

Brandon
Simon Sansom
10-14-03, 11:24 AM
Great pics, Vanan!

I'm a pit-lover too, and I can vouch for the "ferocity" of their incredible bluffing displays - I used to have a HUGE female Sonoran Gopher and I've never heard anything hiss louder, or get more worked up without actually getting to to the point of biting. And you're right, it's one of their endearing qualities.

Were those pics of a wild bullsnake?

Simon
Vanan
10-14-03, 11:37 AM
Yep Simon. Those were taken in the field. :)
MAN OF STEEL
10-14-03, 11:58 AM
COOL !!
Scales Zoo
10-14-03, 11:23 PM
Vanan was talking about their rostral scales.

I remember, this one time, in boyscouts, we used to think they were called bullsnakes because they would head but you.

Sometimes instead of open mouth striking, they would strke their nose into you - and I remember it hurting.

Now we have to get some good close up video shots, to see if that cartilage is vibrating.

They sound more like rattlesnakes in early spring. I don't know why, but they do.

Ryan