Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all. Hope I can get some help from you. Currently I have some kings, milks and a corn. Looking for something with some size that also has a good demeanor. I may have a chance for a pair of bulls this summer if all goes well. Which snake, generally speaking of course, gets larger, which one has a calmer temperament: the gopher or bull? Will they reach sizes larger than an eastern king? I am looking to add one of the three to my collection this summer and not sure which one.
Thanks for all your help. Hope these weren't stupid questions.

Generally speaking. All pits are known to be a bit more fiesty than kings, corns, or milks. For most owners, that is a part of their charm. However that does not mean that they wont calm down or that there are not calm pits out there. Ive had wild caught animals that are as vicious as can be when you find them (finding a wild pit in the open is a great experience not to be forgotten) and when I was a young child I caught them and keep them. They calmed down nicely even a 6 foot adult that was wc ended up being as calm as can be ..... with handling. Leaving them in a rack system and taking them out only to clean might be a different story. All of my animals got regular interaction.

Bulls are usually considered to get larger than gophers, although they are so closely related that it often overlaps. A lot depends on bloodlines, types, and even individuals will vary. However, both the majority of pits and gophers are going to get larger than your kings or corns. Again, as a general rule.

Hope that helps

Thanks for the info. I realize all animals are individuals and we can only generalize, not knowing exactly what a specific animal may do. I am just researching a little as I may want to add "a little spice" to my collection. Bulls/gophers really appeal to me. Again thanks.

Yo wherp Dude!!!!!!
As you know it is hard to generalize. But Gophers tend to be smaller and less prone to bluffing than Bulls. There are Dwarf Bulls. I have a pair from Colorado stock. I am told they will get about the same size as San Diego Gophers. If I were you I would go with either San Diego or Pacific Gophers. Nocturnal Tom of Tom's Snakes, Jason of Envy and Jeremy of Shade Tree all have excellent stock and super web Sites. All three post on this forum. But be careful--Pits are addictive!!!!!1 You'll get more as time goes by! Just my $.02.

Shalom,

Pat

Much to the chagrine of my wife, I believe snakes in general are addictive. I can't get enough. I am constantly looking into different species to see what I would like to add to my collection. But you're probably right on w/ the pits. They are beautiful, robust creatures.
Thanks
Joel

Hey Joel,
In 40 years of keeping snakes there are few that I have not kept!!!! But I always return to Pits!! I have even risked divorce by keeping a pair of Stillwater Hypo Bulls and the pair of Colorado Dwarf Bulls!!!!! And I'm looking forward to getting a pair of Northern Pines and a pair of Southern Pines this summer!!!! Pits rule!!!!

Pat

Pat, you offer a convincing pitch for pits. Thanks for the input.
Joel