>I got a new bull snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) yesterday. He is almost full grown at about 4.5 ft. He is a really mean bastard with constant biting and hissing when I get near him. He scared the crap out of my dog, who now refuses to go upstairs where the bull is.

That is exactly what the bull wants to happen.

>First question: Will he ever calm down and stop hissing/biting the cage when I get near him?

Yes, but it will take time and work.

>Second question: He strikes the glass of his terrarium with full force. Will this hurt him?

Yes. Consequences include abrading the skin off his nose, bruising, even breaking a bone.

>Third question: I keep the hot side at about 85 degrees, with a forest floor substrate. Is this acceptable for a bull?

The temperature is fine, as long as you turn the heat off at night and let him cool down. Keeping him that hot 24/7 will eventually produce heat stress. I kept my bulls on newspaper and am not familiar with a forest floor substrate.

>Fourth question: Do bulls typically try to strike in the face? Yesterday he was so aggressive I decided I would just use a snake hook on him. He was constantly lunging high towards my face to bite me, this freaked me out a little (hence, the hook). Even on the hook he still would try to come over the top of the hook and get at me. I pinned his head under the shaft of the hook eventually.

Pinning scares them too much. I'd go with a light jacket and gloves.

>Fifth question: How similar is a bulls behavior pattern C. Atrox. I've heard they are very similar in thier temperment and defensive postures.

As far as I know, atrox are much more nervous in captivity and take up a higher and more effective striking coil.

Does your snake have a hiding box? That often helps. I'd put something over the cage front so he doesn't constantly see people walking back and forth. If it is a top opening cage, continue to use the hook to get him out. Reaching down at him is predator behavior, which freaks him out. Handle for a few minutes every day, except for a day or two after feeding. Stick him inside your shirt while you watch TV to help him get used to your scent. And keep the dog away because he knows canines are predators.

Some bulls never get very tame, but others become pussycats. And check into the pine/bull/gopher snake forum here on kingsnake.com.

Good luck.

Paul Hollander

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