The genus pituophis is currently recognized to have 5 species; Pituophis ruthveni, the Louisiana Pinesnake, P. melanoluecus the other pinsnakes (3 recognized subspecies, nothern pines, southern or Florida pines and black pines). These are all large, easy to care for and mostly docile snakes. some blackpines and southerns are known to be loud and somewhat initially intimidating if you have not handled them befor but it is mostly all bluff. Pituophis catenifer is a species that currently includes the bullsnakes p.c.sayi, and several gopher subspecies from western North America. Again, mostly all quite docile and all bluff but there are exceptions to the rule. I have a rather large Kankakee ILL. locality bullsnake that will bite every chance she gets!



There is also two Mexican species, Pituophis deppei and Pituophis lineaticollis. These are not as readily available. They are large and generally quite docile but probably not ideal beginner Pituophis.



Compared to some other groups of snakes I find Pituophis to be less likely to bite, less likely to musk and defecate on the handler and somewhat more interactive than some of the more fosorial species such as milks, kings, and some of the ratsnakes.



I am bias, my wife disagrees with me and feels that Pituophis are too loud and threatening to be first snakes for a kid. If you have any experience with snakes and can get past the bluffing you will not be happier than with a big Pit. I agree that a nice hatchling Northern Pine is a great place to start.

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