Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How are the dispositions of bull and gopher snakes. Could you raise one to accept being held without hissing or biting? Thanks so much.

The answer is of course. These can be as tame as Corns or any other snakes. I handle my 05s all the time, and i have some 6 year old adults in my collection that never seem to get wound up over much of anything. We often discuss on here how Pits have this bad rep for being nasty. It is BS seeing some Kings and even Corns will bite but you do not see people labeling the entire group of snakes as nasty. Sure some can be out of hand, but many MANY of them make great pets. If you are really worried about that make it clear to who you intend to purchase from you are intimidated by them and would prefer the calmest snake available. Or buy in person. I have gophers that open their mouths and thrash about a bit for a few seconds when you reach for them, a minute later when they absorb some of your body heat off your hand they chill right out. Try em, you'll love em.
Tom Stevens

Thank you both. I'm interested in getting a bull or gopher snake, and just wanted to see what everyone here had to say. That settles it, I'm definitely getting into these kinds of snakes.

No experience w/ Pines or Bulls but my WC San Diego gopher is the best behaved snake in my small collection. Never tried to bite, rarely rattles his tail and only hissed once. He's been to an educational show put on by the herp club I belong to and is going to be one of the herps I tae as an educational project to my daughters first grade class and to church.

reako45

i currently have 2.2 bulls and just love them. they have never offered to strike, other than when being fed, and my big '02 female will hiss lightly only on occasion.

bulls are one of my favorite snakes all around. grow fast, eat well, affordable and gorgeous. careful, they're addictive.

matt