Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Sonoran gophersnake that can sometimes hiss and puff but has never bitten in the 3 years since he's been here and is actually quite calm when held. Is this behavior similar to most bullsnakes in your experience? I'd love to get a nice bull, but I don't want a biting snake that size. Some of you here have kept many bullsnakes. How often do you come across truly mean ones?

My experience with bulls is pretty positive in the terms of having those with really nice dispositions. My newest bull, a Tx. hypo bull, is the only bull I have with any kind of attitude. After I pick him up..he is calm as a kitten. My Stillwater hypo bull is just about the sweetest, calmest snake I own.

My white bull shown here was a big time hisser when I got him as a sub adult and is now just a big dope. Being at over 5 feet, he seems to have calmed down with age AND handling. He loves to be taken out and carried all over the house, and likes to spend time trying to crawl up walls as I hold him up to one.

I had heard all sorts of horror stories when I was younger about bulls, and yes...they can be intimidating! LOL! My experience has been great and more rewarding than I would have imagined.

Take care!
Billy

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Genesis 1:1

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I have had Many Bulls. These are without a doubt my favorite snakes. When I was younger and had the energy to go out in the field I captured many bullsnakes. Thoughout the last 28yrs. I have only found one that was untameable. This animal was a 5' snake that had marks all over him from a Very trying life. He had bites down his back from some animal and Cuts that looked like someone took a garden hoe after him and to top all that off he was missing his tail. Needless to say this snake had full reason to be afraid of people. I tried to tame him for about a month and then gave up and released him back at the Very same spot I found him at. I figure if he had lived though all that HE DESERVED TO BE LEFT WILD... Even though this snake was a handfull he gave me a Respect for Bullsnakes that I guess I will never forget. I cannot understand why these snakes are so overlooked they make Great pets, The feeding response is second to none and they are SUPER smart animals.
All in all The Bullsnake is and always will be my Nonvenomous Passion...Get one for yourself YOU WILL LOVE IT..

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Mark

i don't think it's that they act out alot [hissing, puffing and striking] in captive collections it's just that sometimes when they do......holy mackeral! you tend to remember those episodes esp. when it's done suddenly as it almost always is. i was charged at once by an extremely large bull and not only was it unnerving, it was practically deafening as well adding to the chaos. he raised the hair on my neck w/ alot of noise and bad intent.i backed right up for a minute or two as he was not to be fooled with!! but by and large, most cb's are ok to handle once taken out. some are even puppy dogs. wc's are less trustworthy.......