which species of bullsnake...

Turtle Matt · 11-28-03, 10:40 AM

Which species of bullsnake is it that is found in Canada?? Would they be legal in Ontario??
Matt

Scales Zoo · 11-28-03, 10:52 AM

Bullsnakes are Pituophis catenifer sayi, formerly called P. melanoleucus sayi.

These are native to Saskatchewan and Alberta - in Canada.

There are other gophersnakes native to B.C.- but you asked about Bullsnakes.

I think they are legal to keep in Ontario - but I am not up on my Ontario laws - Jeff Hathaway would be a good person to ask that question.

Ryan

munchy · 11-28-03, 09:43 PM

hey scales, which gopher species lives in BC? i know there are some kind of bull/gophers in the interior. what ssp?

Vanan · 11-28-03, 10:18 PM

Not SCALES, but the Pituophis catenifer deserticola aka Great Basin gopher are the ones found in BC.

munchy · 11-30-03, 12:34 AM

thank you. would you happen to know where in bc they are the most plentiful? i want to go get some photos next year. i saw one in a tree a couple years back near peter hope lake, but i dont know anywhere else to find them.

Jeff Hathaway · 12-07-03, 07:05 PM

Both bullsnakes and great basin gophers are legal to own in Ontario, from a provincial perspective. Of course, there are some municipalities where by-laws do prohibit them...

Make sure they're captive bred, though. Collecting them in the wild is likely restricted out west, and therefore purchasing WC specimens here would be illegal under WAPPRITA.

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

Scales Zoo · 12-07-03, 07:20 PM

Residents of Alberta can collect and keep bullsnakes - a permit is required to transfer them out of province.

Bullsnakes are protected in Saskatchewan, and can not be collected or killed. Captive bred babies can be sold within and outside the province.

Great basins are protected in B.C, I'm not sure of the particulars.

I know of people working with and planning to breed various Alberta and Saskatchewan locals of bullsnakes - there have been people in the U.S breeding bullsnakes from little towns we drive through. It is funny to see adds in the u.s for jenner and empress bullsnakes, as we are only a 30 minute drive from there.

Ryan