Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We just got a wild caught 7 ft. plus male Bull Snake from Texas. Just arrived yesterday.He seems calm and non aggressive. We have him in a very large tank with Aspen bedding. Heat ranges from the mid to upper 80's to 72 degrees on the cool end.

When I took him out of the bag he had rubbed his nose raw.It was slightly bleeding.He did try to get out of the enclosure yesterday for awhile rubbing his nose more.

Today he is much calmer and not as active but alert. Not trying to get out or rubbing his nose at all. I am afraid he will start again so I added a hide for him if by chance that would help him feel secure and not try to get out and keep rubbing his nose raw. I put it midway in the enclosure.

He seems to be afraid of the hide box and is staying curled up in the opposite corner which is the cool end with his head hid under his coils. I am hoping he will investigate and use the hide. If not I will take it out.

Any suggestions on things we can do to help him acclimate as easily as possible?

We will be taking him and a fecal sample to the Vet to be checked for parisites etc. but I want him to settle in first.

He is in quarantine in a separate room from our other snakes.

Any suggestions on acclimating him would be much appreciated.

It sounds like the cage, although a quarantine setup, doesn't address all of this new captive's concerns. This guy spent his entire life outside, so whatever box he's in will appear small. This is especially difficult because this is a large, active species.

Perhaps vary the types and degree of cover. Bushy branches and PVC pipes might be better utilized than one large hidebox.

Good luck, bulls are my favorite pitouphis

Ian

I would put hides on both ends of the cage. If your temps are in the upper 80's on the one end that has the hide now, he more than likely won't go there as that is a little warm for a lot of Pits tastes. Thats fine for him to have a spot that he can get that warm if he wants to, but you probably need to offer a hide on the cooler side as well, that way he can choose either end and still feel safe and secure. Just my two cents and hope it helps. Congrats on your bull!

Jeremy

I just have to say wow - that's a monster for a wild caught.
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3.0 WC; 0.2 CB L. getula californiae
0.1 WC; 10 eggs (7/11) Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

Thanks for all the ideas. Right now he seems happiest with nothing in the enclosure but his aspen bedding and water bowl. He doesn't try to get out anymore and lays relaxed and stretched out most of the time. Alert and likes to watch whatever is going on. He is a little jumpy when there are quick movements around him. But doing really well for a wild caught.I think he is going to adjust well.
I will post pictures once he is settled in and I figure out how to do it.
Thanks again!