Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have seen docile bulls as well as one that strikes at the glass everytime you walk by it. Although I do not have a bull, I am very interested in them and in time may want to add one to my collection. If possible, can I get some advice from the experts on their general disposition. As a rule, are they tame or a bit on the mean side?

I'd say temperment is based on two things: individual snake and the amount that it is handled regularly and from birth.

I've come across wild bulls that are hand tame and, like you mentioned, some that want to tear your head off. However most of the pissed off snakes can be mellowed out with some time invested. (but not always)

Chances are good that if you buy a young snake that is bred from a "generally friendly line" you'll come away with a friendly animal that just gets nicer with age.

I think it depends on the blood line and if they are handled at a young age. All of the bulls I've hatched strike and hiss the first time I mess with them. After that they calm down. All of my adults (3) are super tame, I've never been bitten. Out of the four gopher snakes I've had the two females were psycho and the males never bit or struck. I don't think the pyscho ones would ever be tamed.

Individual personalities vary but I would say most captive bred bulls are calm as long as they are handled from time to time. But the ones that are defensive as adults may never change.

On the other hand, I have a male that was c.b. from w.c. and was tame as a kitten for 2 years, then, whammo, psycho-bull. Not meant to throw you off, some are pissers and some are mellow. My w.c. gopher is a kitten from day one and still is at 3 years. I think the others are right though, with good blood and handling, you should come off without getting Damien.
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Todd Hughes

The risk is fairly high that a bull will be hard to handle especially if you are apprehensive from the git go. I've seen more than one bull snake train a timid owner to leave it alone!

Yes, you have to go in without fear and with purpose. Hesitation can lead to bites. The longer it takes for the hands reaching down to get to them the more defensive they can get. But if they are really tame usually it doesn't matter what you do.

Just a generalization, but bulls from the northern part of their range tend to be more easy going than those from the southern regions.

Phil

All of my WC snakes from when I was younger were super tame after their intial bluff when I found them after that no rattles or striking-all adults. The two juveniles I have now still rattle their tails. I handle them briefly everyday maybe just pick them up look and back in. One calmed down after about two times out the other one still gets nippy and jumpy but is calming down, by the way little pits bites dont hurt ive never been bit by an adult.

It is apples and oranges, my bad boy shreds me multiple times! I have no fear of bites, I was weaned on diamondbacked water snakes, lol! But he is not a textbook example, I have never been bitten by a w.c. bull down south, they usually bluff strike and head butt, then throw everything into the hiss. But I just have a psycobull, and will be breeding for this trait...NOT!
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Todd Hughes

Two-to-three footers in my experience are usually the ones with attitude. I've picked up quite a few big monsters (well over five feet), and I've never been bitten by one that size. I've had the smaller ones actually come at me though, in a defensive display. Pituophis are one of the most individually personalitied snakes that I know of, I've had a northern pine that was gentle as a kitten, but I've heard of others that weren't. I had two great basin gopher snakes that were jeckyl and hyde, etc. Most of the really big bulls I've encountered were really gentle, the three footers are the ones with attitude. Anyone else noticed this trend?

Kevin

as others have said, there are exceptions. smaller bulls are generally less confident & therefore more prone to throw tantrums. however i have an 06 crumbley from matt turner that was fairly sweet as a yearling but is now a 5' plus demonic [w]itch from hell! there is simply NO approaching her. ??? here's a pic of her at about 3 months of age. it's difficult to get a current pic as she tends to scare off [or kill] most photographers. haha! she's red as can be & full of that notorious 'redheaded' personality. such a hottie, woo-woo!! :>]

I would generally agree that pits are individuals maybe more so than other species I have kept. Putting a piece of cardboard between cages and limiting his view of me seems to have helped some, as well as the cooler weather. I have been toying with the underground hide as well, a drawer in the bottom of the cage accessed through a hole in the floor to simulate a burrow. I hope he comes out of brumation next year with a better attitude or his gonna get a "time out"! Not really, I believe in corporal punishment, lol! Not really, but he may not get any nookie if he doesn't play nice!
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Todd Hughes