Bull/Gopher/Pine Snakes

Bull Snakes as Pets

Bull snakes (also called bullsnake) are large powerful constrictors. They make fine pets once they are accustomed to being handled, but they can and will bite. They can hiss loudly, at times drawing attention to themselves when they would otherwise be overlooked. Bull snakes, scientifically known as Pituophis catenifer, are easy to keep for the experienced snake owner, but thanks to their borderline belligerent attitude, they are probably not a good choice for a beginner.

Gopher Snakes as Pets

Large and heavy-bodied, the gopher snake is reported to reach 9 feet (275 cm) in length, but 4 feet (120 cm) is more common. On its back are 33 to 66 light- to dark-brown or reddish blotches on a ground color of yellow, straw, tan or cream. Smaller blotches are located on the animal's sides. A dark stripe runs from in front of the eye to the angle of the jaw. The underside is creamy or yellow, often with dark spots. The scales on the back are strongly keeled, becoming smoother on the sides.

Pine Snakes as Pets

Pine snakes are large, fairly heavy-bodied snakes that average 48-66 inches. The ground color of pine snakes may be white, yellow, or light gray. There are usually dark, squarish, blotches on the sides and back that are lighter toward the tail and darker near the head. The belly is white with dark spots on the sides. Pine snakes also have a relatively small head compared to other large colubrids and have a snout that is somewhat pointed . They have four prefrontal scales, unlike most other colubrids, which have two. There are two subspecies of pine snakes that occur in Georgia and South Carolina , the northern pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) and the Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus). The pattern on Florida pine snakes is never as defined and sharp as it is in northern pine snakes, and they are generally browner in coloration. Also, the bellies of Florida pine snakes are uniformly ashy gray with no spots. Male snakes can be distinguished from females by the appearance of the tail. Males will have a longer tail that does not taper as quickly as the female tail.