Pine / Bull snake

Pituophis catinefer sayi

DESCRIPTION

The Bull Snake is so called because of the impressive snorting sound it makes when under threat. This snake is a large, impressive and powerful constrictor from the prairie lands and plains of Central USA where it hunts rodents and birds (including their eggs).

The Bull Snake grows to an average length of 6 feet but has been known to exceed this by 2 -3 feet making it one of the largest North American snakes.

This snake is an egg laying species.

HOUSING

An enclosure measuring 48”x24”x24” is suitable for housing a Bull Snake. A large wooden vivarium with sliding glass doors is suitable for this species. You should be able to acquire a vivarium in the size previously stated from most shops that deal in reptiles. If you have a particularly large Bull Snake (8-9ft) you may need to have one custom made, or construct your own if you have the knowhow.

Juvenile Bull Snakes can be kept in an enclosure measuring 24”x12”x12” until they exceed about 3 feet in length. Housing juvenile Bull Snakes in a smaller enclosure helps them feel more safe and secure and makes the snake easier to care for as it matures.

The humidity of your Bull Snake enclosure should be kept at 50% to 60%. Unless you live in an especially humid or dry area this level of humidity is easily achieved.

A layer of dry absorbant substrate such as aspen bedding (wood shavings) should line the floor of your Bull Snakes enclosure. Alternatively you can simply line the floor with newspaper. Cheap, easily replaced when soiled but a less attractive substrate. Another option is astroturf. Buy two pieces. One can replace the soiled one while the other is being washed ready for the next change.

1 or 2 hiding spots should be provided in your Bull Snakes enclosure or vivarium. Specially made hides for reptiles are readily available for purchase or you could make one at home from items such as ice-cream tubs, cereal boxes, plastic piping etc.) The hides should be just large enough for your snake to squeeze in to. Large pieces of bark make attractive natural hides but are more difficult to keep clean.

A large and sturdy water bowl should be available in the coolest part of the enclosure, and should be just large enough for your Bull Snake to bathe in, although this doesn't happen often with Bull Snakes.

A climbing branch can be included in your Bull Snake setup but is not essential for this mainly terrestrial snake.

HEATING, LIGHTING AND TEMPERATURE

Bull Snakes do well at daytime temperatures varying from 28 to 30 degrees centigrade at one end of the enclosure and 21 to 23 degrees centigrade at the other. Overall temperatures can be allowed to drop 5 or 6 degrees at night

A thermal gradient for your snake can be easily achieved by placing a 23 x11" heat mat under only half of the enclosure, leaving the other half cool. All heating equipment must be controlled by a thermostat to maintain the correct temperatures for your Bull Snake. Heat mats don't warm the air much so if your snake room is cold a low watt bulb or spotlight can be used for extra heat if necessary. Always follow the instructions that come with your heating equipment as these occasionally vary between manufacturers. Ceramic heat emitters are also useful for heating larger cages. As long as the correct thermal gradient is achieved for your Bull Snake the type of heating is a matter of choice providing it is safe, easily controlled and allows your Bull Snake to thermoregulate.

If you want to illuminate the enclosure during the day without adding extra heat there are a large variety of low power flourescent tubes available. Although U.V. is generally considered unnecessary for snakes it certainly won't harm your snake if you use a flourescent tube with a low 2.0 U.V. rating.

Lighting should be turned off at night. An inexpensive timer can be used to do the job for you. These can be bought from most hardware stores.

FEEDING

Bull Snakes can be fed roughly every 8-10 days (5-7 days for juveniles) or after defecation. 1 or 2 food items roughly the same diameter as the snake at mid body can be offered to your Bull with forceps or simply left on the floor in the warm end of the vivarium. The amount of food fed to your Bull Snake should be just enough to leave a small bulge on your snake.

Food items for the Bull Snake can include appropriately sized rats, mice, gerbils or chicks.

Mice, rats and chicks can be bought frozen from pet shops that deal in reptiles and can be thawed out for your snake when required.

HANDLING

Adult Bull snakes are large and very strong constrictors and should not be handled by small children.

Despite the Bull Snakes reputation for aggression, with regular gentle handling they can grow in to reasonably calm and handleable adults. It should be noted that the impressive and intimidating threat display used by the Bull snake, including snorting and forming its body into an s-shaped striking position is largely bluff and the Bull Snake would much rather avoid violent confrontation.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Your Bull Snakes enclosure should be spot checked for faeces on a daily basis and cleaned out completely with a reptile-safe disinfectant at least once a month. All cage furniture should also be disinfected at this time and the substrate should be changed.

A good cheap disinfectant is a solution of household bleach and water at a ratio of 4% bleach and 96% water. This can be sprayed and then wiped off the vivarium and cage furniture. It is very important that everything is then rinsed thoroughly with water and then allowed to dry before returning your Bull Snake to its enclosure.

Cleanliness is an essential part of Bull Snake care.

Your snake should be given fresh water at least twice weekly.