bull snake?

boa+python · 11-20-05, 12:35 PM

Well there is a show comming down here in Atlanta and i was hoping to pick up a bull snake, its just whenever i look for info on the net its always different on every site, i was just hoping if someone could tell me some general info on these snakes or point me in the right direction, oh and also are pine,gophers,and bulls all pretty much the same snake, just different locals? Well any info will greatly be appreciated THANKS! oh and sorry for the long post...lol

rrrrr · 11-21-05, 01:27 PM

The taxonomy of pines, bulls, and gophers is pretty messed up. I've given up on figuring it out. There are gophers that are hard to tell from bullsnakes. Some people consider bulls to be a form of gophersnake, but consider pines to be separate. There is a general split between pituophis catenifer sayi (which makes it a form of gopher), and pituophis melanoleucas sayi, which groups it with eastern pine snakes.

In any case, bulls should get anywhere from 5 - 7 feet typically. I have seen them listed with average lengths as low as 37-50 inches, with maximum lengths of around 100 inches. Maybe there are smaller locales, but I have never seen a full-grown adult under 5', so I think 37 inches is completely off the map. They are medium bodied and active. They dont eat particularily large prey items, but are capable of eating things bigger around than their bodies for sure. My adult eats 200g adult rats. He's almost 6 feet long and is 3 years old.

Young bullsnakes are hissy, and are quick to strike when on the ground or in their cage. Their hissing is about as loud as any species I've ever heard. The strikes are often closed-mouthed bluffs, but even when open-mouthed, in my experience they hit you with their mouth and pull away rather than biting. They also mimic rattlesnakes through a combination of hissing and tail rattling. This defensive behavior can be intimidating for the inexperienced handler. They calm down as they get older with regular handling. They make SUPER pets. Oh, their poop is pretty awfull, especially if you're used to solid infrequent boid turds. Wet and smelly.

boa+python · 11-21-05, 04:29 PM

Hey guys its me again, didnt feel like making a whole new post so i decided to add to this one. I was also wondering how big do leucistic rat snakes get. There isnt much info on this snakes on the net other than their basic need. I was wondering how big and how much do full grown adults weigh? Im getting more into this snake because of its color and i have found out that in order to keep bull snakes in certain parts of Georgia you need a permit, or so im told. But any info on leucistic rat snakes will be appreciated THANKS!!!

djcoreyd · 11-21-05, 11:18 PM

leucistic rat snakes don't get much larger than 4-5 ft. Not sure on weight. The bull snakes are nice, tring to buy a pair, the female is albino(looks cooool!) Can send pic if you like. Make sure to use lots of peet moss in with the bull's. threy like to burrow, and if breeding they cover their eggs under 1-2 inches of soil. Peet moss is cheap, absorbs lot's of water, and does't irritate your snake. Nice to see another person with an appreciation for bull's.

snappa · 11-28-05, 11:09 PM

Hey leucistics are beautiful and if you like something a little on the more defensive and aggresive side then you will like these guys.I have a couple and both the male and female are quite nippy. they are about only a year old.I imagine they will tame down some to. I believe they are known to be the more agresive of the ratsnakes and about 6foot is achievable.

too bad about the bulls