Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, everyone!

My bullsnake exhibits head jerking movements, once in a while, while I am stroking it. What does this behavior mean? I've seen this same behavior on wildlife documentaries when they show various species of snakes mating. The males often exhibiit the same head jerking movements while they are rubbing their bodies against the females' bodies. Why would my bullsnake be exhibiting the same head jerking movements with me, once in awhile, while I am petting it? I know I don't smell like another snake that my bullsnake wants to mate with! LOL!!! I just want to know what this behavior means. I would greatly appreciate it if any informed people on this forum could possibly enlighten me to my snake's puzzling behavior. I am looking forward to any and all replies here. Thanks again, guys!

Take care,
Terry

I think certain touch motions can trigger courtship or combat instincts.

I don't know if male bullsnakes combat?

But...stroking a male indigo snake in a certain way behind the neck can sometimes cause them to raise up and push back against your hand...like they are trying to avoid being pinned by a rival male.

My guess is the jerking is certainly a mating or combat instict that is triggered by the touch senstion.

You seem to be the only person here who knew the answer to my question. Hehehe...

Anyway, thank you very much for your reply.

I had no idea that certain touch sensations can trigger mating and/or combat behaviors. Well, I am pretty sure that my bullsnake is exhibiting a mating (or courtship) behavior with me because I've seen this same behavior between male and female snakes on wildlife documentaries. What REALLY surprises me is that a person can actually bring out these same behaviors in a snake! I thought only another snake can make a snake want to mate. LOL!!!

Take care,
Terry