Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all got a new rat today and have no idea what kind it is.Thank you for all replies...Paul.

It has the colors of a bullsnakes in my area.Very docile and curious snake.

Where are you located? They're commonly called bullsnakes in the central US, and gopher snakes out west. Their eastern US relatives are the pine snakes. I'd say it's a species of gopher snake (bullsnakes usually are more yellowish, I think), but either way it's not a rat snake.
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MichaelB

I ordered it from a rescue place out of Virgina.It's suppose to be a bairds ratsnake.It looks a alot like a bull or gopher to me also.This guy has to be close to 5 feet long.

Another pic.

np

The head is ratsnake head.Im wondering if it's some cross?

...and definitely a Pituophis. The rescue center is wrong on this one - you have either a bullsnake or a gopher snake there. There are a number of variants of these guys available through captive breeding. I suggest you post a pic on the bull/pine/gopher snake forum; someone there can tell you more specifically which species or ssp. it is.

In any case, (s)he's rescued!
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MichaelB

Im happy with whatever it is.Now if I can just accidently adopt a few black headed pythons or womas I will be in business.lol..thank you.

I'm in VA and keep in touch with Bonnie. I recall her having a Bullsnake that was at least 10 years old on her site (I'm thinking more like 15 years) which is now not posted. I've never seen her post a Bairds on her site (or I'd have snatched it up !). You've got a good looking Bullsnake there and I'm glad he got a good home with you.
Welcome to the world of Pits!
Lora

Yes it was sold to me as a bairds.And it was posted on her website as one.Her add was in kingsnake classifieds.No there was no pic I took her word for it.I know what a bairds looks like and I was just surprised when I opened the bag.My first thoughts were it might be an eastern fox snake or bull/gopher.

The head is very typical. Look in front of the eyes and you will see that there are 4 scales called prefrontals. Almost all Pituophis have 4 (sometimes they have two). Ratsnakes allways have two. (Some Baja gophers like P. deppi have two).

Add in the other charactoristics and you have a very typical Pituophis. It looks more like a gopher to me.

As to bulls being yellower and than gophers or vice-versa....That is not the case, as both are variable in color.

In any case your rescue group have to be the most uninformed group of amatuers I have heard about. Bairds Ratsnake? Someone with no idea pulled that name out of a hat as there is not the slightest resemblance. It is definitly an escaped pet.

Suggestions:

Post this on Pituophis forum-they will give you a species.

Since you (obviouly)have a computer-look up Bairds Ratsnake (and prepare to laugh)

Go out and buy a basic field guide to North American Snakes. Read it and keep it.

If you find a Blackhead-breed it and send me the babies...I'll trade you a Bairds for it....(lol)

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

I did research on bairds before I made the commitment.I was surprised when I opened the bag and found this guy instead.

The head is too narrow for a bullsnake and the snout too long. It's either a Pacific gopher or Great Basin gopher.

It's happened before.

...
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Starkey
0.2 Colombian Boa Constrictors
1.1 Taiwan Beauty Ratsnakes
0.0.1 Honduran Ratsnake
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
B.O.A. INC.

Was just a little shocked when I opened the bag expecting a bairds and getting a Gopher.

gophersnake