gopher/bull snake question

[rwg]

I saw what I thought was bullsnake in a petstore today, but the staffer told me it's a gopher snake. What's the difference? In any case, it was a beautiful animal with a great disposition.

rg

Bulls, gophers, and pines are all Pituophis, though they are Sayi, Catenifer, and Melanoleucus respectively. Generally it is pattern, scale count, and location that give you the differences. Pines are mainly from the south east, bulls the central, and gophers the western part of the country. They also interbreed if given a chance, and common names are often interchanged.

[Vanan]

To make it sound easier. A bullsnake is a subspecies of gopher snakes. So a bull can be called a gopher but a gopher can't be called a bull. Get it?

[rwg]

Cool thanks. Did some checking on the net, and I understand the taxonomy of pituophis now. What I still cant find is what (other than locale) distinguishes a bull snake from other pituophis. Anyone know where I can find this info?

rg

Bull snakes are too much fun, along with Pituophis sayi, Pituophis catenifer sayi, you can even find Pituophis melanoleucus sayi. I wasn't able to find a sayi scale count, and even so Roy at the reptile rescue here has a male with an extra supraocular scale he's hoping will be genetic lol.

Pituophis catenifer: dorsal: ground colour usually pale yellow or greyish-yellow; keels on scales are dark brown; 45-55 dark brown blotches along back beginning behind head; on upper surface of tail, these become a series of 12-16 dark brown cross-bands; several series of smaller blotches or spots along body sides; ventral: yellow or yellowish-white with brown or black spots; head: dark line across head in front of eyes; dark band from eye to angle of jaw; dark vertical spot below eye
Eyes: large with round pupil Head scales: 8 (7-10) upper labials; 12-13 lower labials Body scales: lightly keeled on back; smooth on sides; anal plate single; subcaudal scales divided

Pituophis melanoleucus: A large, stout-bodied snake reaching a maximum total length of 2108mm. In Virginia, maximum known total length is 1678mm *4206*. Outside Virginia, the maximum known total length is 83 inches *11523*. Adults are usually 48-60 inchees in length *11523*. There are dark irregular blotches on a white, cream, yellow, or light gray background color. The blotches are black, turning brown and more distinct near the tail. This is a large robut snake with at somewhat elongated snout and a head that seems small for the large body. The belly is white with dark spots on the sides. It has an enlarged rostral scale. In Va., max known SVL is 1495 mm (58.9 in.). Tail length/total length ratio 10.9-11.4% (n=2). Scutellation: ventrals 217-224 (avg. = 220.8+/-3.3, n=4); subcaudals 48-53 (avg. = 50.7+/-2.5, n=3); ventrals + subcaudals 267-274 (270.3+/-3.5, n=3); dorsal scales keeled; scale rows 27-29 at midbody; anal plate entire; infralabials 10-10, 12-12, and 12-13; supralabials 8-8 (2), 8-7 (1); loreal scale present; preoculars 1-1; postoculars 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, and 3-4; temporal scales 3+4/3+4 (2), 4+6/4+4 (1), or 4+5/2+3 (1); rostral scale elongated and partially separates nasal scales; four prefrontal scales present. Coloration and pattern: dorsal body color cream, white, or yellow with a series of irregular black blotches that become more distinct posteriorly; anterior blotches are more diffuse and there is considerable melanism in the spaces between them; black lateral blotches alternate with dorsal blotches, except on tail; blotches usually black anteriorly, but may be brown posteriorly; white or yellow body scales usually edged in black; venter of body and tail cream, white, or yellow and patternless; head cream to white with irregular pattern of black spots on the dorsum; black crossbar connecting the eyes may be present; labial scales and chin white; supralabials may be partially edged in black.