Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if anyone could explain how to tell the differences between Pines, Bulls, and Gophers. I mean...because I now have one, I can pretty much pick out a cape gohper without any trouble at all...but anytime I see a picture of a snake, I try and guess what it is, then look at the answer and usually find out I'm wrong.

I'm sure a whole book could/should be written on the subject...but in a nutshell...can anyone explain the basic clues you look for when identifying a snake? (In layman's terms! )

Thanks!!!
Judy
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1.0 red cape gopher (Caesar)

a Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians. There is a Stebbins and there's one by Bartlett. They are broken into regions for example the one I have is the Peterson Field Guide: Western Reptiles and Amphibians. The first thing in identifying if you can get it is locale. I think someone asked about a snake the other day that was from Utah. Someone thought it was a bullsnake. If you look in a field guide, it says that the only pituophis in Utah is the Great Basin gopher. If you find a pituophis in Utah, then you have a great basin gopher unless someone released something in that area and it shouldn't be there. Do you know all the reptiles in your area Judy? Are there any venomous snakes around you. Might be a nice thing to know if you go out collecting. The Field Guide was the first thing Del Aslpaw handed me when I became interested in snakes. Good luck

>>I was wondering if anyone could explain how to tell the differences between Pines, Bulls, and Gophers. I mean...because I now have one, I can pretty much pick out a cape gohper without any trouble at all...but anytime I see a picture of a snake, I try and guess what it is, then look at the answer and usually find out I'm wrong.
>>
>>I'm sure a whole book could/should be written on the subject...but in a nutshell...can anyone explain the basic clues you look for when identifying a snake? (In layman's terms! )
>>
>>Thanks!!!
>>Judy
>>-----
>>1.0 red cape gopher (Caesar)

I agree, anyone who is into herps should atleast own a Field Guide for the area they live in. Or better yet one that covers the whole U.S. IMHO

Tim

is better yet. Lots of good information in the guides outside of just species and locales.

>>I agree, anyone who is into herps should atleast own a Field Guide for the area they live in. Or better yet one that covers the whole U.S. IMHO
>>
>>Tim

The simple version might read...
Bull and Pines are generally larger than gophers(with the exception of maybe a Sonoran gopher) and have a much more prominent rostral scale("nose" scale for the newbies). From a glance the bulls and pines seem to have "pointier" heads and more girth giving the appearance of having no "neck", so to speak, when they are adults. Normally Pines have a lower saddle count than bulls and bulls usually have a lower saddle count than gophers, but not always. Patterns are similar but there are many subtle differences that can distinguish the subspecies. Check out a field guide or maybe you could try to find the April 2001 copy of Reptiles magazine. There are some good descriptions in there. It is subtitled Pituophis Parade. If you find it, ignore the pick of the so called Louisiana Pine. The rest seem to be labled appropriately.

of the pic of your new LA pine and tape it over the one in the magazine. That way I know what one looks like. Nice general description of pituophis.

>>The simple version might read...
>>Bull and Pines are generally larger than gophers(with the exception of maybe a Sonoran gopher) and have a much more prominent rostral scale("nose" scale for the newbies). From a glance the bulls and pines seem to have "pointier" heads and more girth giving the appearance of having no "neck", so to speak, when they are adults. Normally Pines have a lower saddle count than bulls and bulls usually have a lower saddle count than gophers, but not always. Patterns are similar but there are many subtle differences that can distinguish the subspecies. Check out a field guide or maybe you could try to find the April 2001 copy of Reptiles magazine. There are some good descriptions in there. It is subtitled Pituophis Parade. If you find it, ignore the pick of the so called Louisiana Pine. The rest seem to be labled appropriately.

LOL, permission granted!

Go to www.reptilesmagazine.com. It is $12.99 with shipping.

Mike B