Coachwhip or Bullsnake?

Monocled Guy · 09-24-17, 11:18 AM

I've been getting the itch to get another snake and lately I've been thinking about bullsnakes but I've always admired coachwhips as well. I've never kept either of these before. Anyone have any opinions or thoughts on which one I should get?

TRD · 09-24-17, 12:09 PM

I personally really like coachwhips, but it's not quite a snake that you can handle or will even tolerate your presence. They consistently seem to look ticked off. Lovely

Monocled Guy · 09-24-17, 12:39 PM

I've heard that about them before. I think some people use them as sort of practice snakes before moving onto hots but I really just like how they look. Being diurnal and active, I bet they are fascinating to watch. The red color westerns are really nice looking.

TRD · 09-24-17, 01:42 PM

Yes, those red ones are spectacular.. but being so active also means they need lots of space, and being diurnal requires considerations in your lighting. If you have the space and willingness to likely deal with a hands-off snake, I'm sure they can be much more rewarding than a snake hiding away somewhere.

If I could have them here, I would already have them.

SerpentineDream · 09-24-17, 02:52 PM

Coachwhips have a tendency to go straight for your face. They are not people snakes. They hate all of us on general principle.

If you want a snake that has a little bit of attitude but you can still work with I'd go with the bull snake.

Monocled Guy · 09-24-17, 03:24 PM

I have a monocled cobra. I am used to a defensive attitude with certain species. It doesn't really put me off to them especially if they can't kill me lol.

SerpentineDream · 09-24-17, 05:04 PM

Well heck, you'll be fine then.

Monocled Guy · 09-24-17, 05:12 PM

I do appreciate the advice you gave nonetheless. Thank you. I was just looking at some older pictures of stillwater hypo bull snakes, it doesn't look like anyone has them available right now but they are gorgeous. I am probably going to have to wait until November when the Repticon show comes back here to Columbia and see what they have.

toddnbecka · 09-24-17, 11:49 PM

Disposition/attitude aside, I've seen some pretty red coachwhips, but they never looked as good to me as my fire bull.

As far as red snakes, I love the Dominican red mountain boas, though a true bloodred corn is also great.

Captain837 · 09-25-17, 01:57 AM

Being that I grew up in the desert of Arizona, have had pet snakes for years, worked in an exotic reptile shop in college and have worked for a local fire department that offers snake removal service for the last 20 years I think it is safe to say I have a fairly wide range of experience with different species of snakes both venomous and not.
With that said, the coachwhip native to phoenix az is the only snake I have actually witnessed Chase a human being. They are pure evil reincarnated. They hate you for being you, they hate your very soul. This makes them a lot of fun to work with if you like excitement and kisses with teeth.

Bullsnakes on the other hand bluff a lot and are easy to tame. I tail wild ones all the time and as soon as they realize you don't want to eat them they become quite pleasant.

Captain837 · 09-25-17, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monocled Guy

I have a monocled cobra. I am used to a defensive attitude with certain species. It doesn't really put me off to them especially if they can't kill me lol.

I would classify coachwhip as more of offensive rather than defensive. Think a jamesons mamba without the venom.

SerpentineDream · 09-25-17, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain837

With that said, the coachwhip native to phoenix az is the only snake I have actually witnessed Chase a human being. They are pure evil reincarnated. They hate you for being you, they hate your very soul. This makes them a lot of fun to work with if you like excitement and kisses with teeth.

When I was young, foolish and living in rural Arizona I tried to shoo a coachwhip off the road so it wouldn't be run over by a car.

As I approached it turned and *flew* at my face, biting repeatedly and hard. I bled. A lot. When I ran back to the car the thing CAME AFTER ME like it was possessed by demons. I deeply regretted having parked a fair distance away. Once in the car I gave serious thought to running it over, backing up and running it over again, then perhaps a third time just for good measure. Didn't actually do it.

Not sure if they live in South Dakota as some of their racer cousins do, but if so they're on their own.

I do completely understand why they are used to train venomous snake handlers. They are lightning fast, agile and eager to bite. Other than that I'm not sure why anyone would want to keep one as a pet. They are almost all WC as there isn't much demand for them (wonder why?) and that probably doesn't help their attitude in captivity.

Bit of trivia: Coachwhips hunt by periscoping above the brush and using their keen eyesight to spot prey. Then they run the animal down, hence their incredible speed.

Herpin' Man · 09-25-17, 07:30 AM

Coachwhips are by far more interesting. They are big, active, and fast. They will require large cages, as large as you can fit in your house. And, as the others have said, they are not exactly docile when it comes to handling.
My suggestion is to go with the bullsnake.

**Minkness** · 09-25-17, 08:47 AM

Man, these stories are horrific and funny as heck! Makes me wanna see one of these in person! (With a face sheiks of course lol).

After hearing all that and having 2 pits of my own that I love, I would suggest the bull snake. But I also like being able to handle my animals lol.

BillyCostume · 09-25-17, 09:30 AM

Wow I had no idea coachwhips were that bad hahaha. Kind of makes me want to encounter one now