Bullsnake (or Gopher Snake)
Pituophis catenifer • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pituophis, Species: Pituophis catenifer
Widely distributed across North America, ranging from southwestern Canada through much of the United States (Great Plains, Midwest, and West) into northern and central Mexico.
Look up Bullsnake (or Gopher Snake) in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous (aglyphous teeth)
Danger Level
Harmless - though they are large and can be extremely defensive, they lack venom and pose no significant threat to humans if left alone.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pituophis, Species: Pituophis catenifer
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN). Generally common, though threatened locally by habitat loss and accidental/intentional killing by humans who mistake them for rattlesnakes.
Physical Description
Large, heavy-bodied snake with yellowish or tan ground color and dark brown or black rectangular blotches. The head is slightly wider than the neck, eyes have round pupils, and the scales are heavily keeled (ridged). They often have a dark line behind the eye.
Size & Dimensions
Specimen appears to be an adult approximately 4-5 feet (120-150 cm). Species typical range is 3 to 6 feet, with record lengths exceeding 8 feet.
Habitat
Found in various open habitats including prairies, grasslands, coniferous forests, deserts, and agricultural areas. They range from sea level to over 2,700 meters, typically preferring sandy or loose soil for burrowing.
Behavior & Temperament
Known for a loud, dramatic defensive display. To mimic rattlesnakes, they flatten their heads, hiss loudly (using a specialized epiglottis), and vibrate their tails. Primarily diurnal, though may switch to crepuscular or nocturnal patterns during extreme heat.
Diet & Feeding
Active foragers that primarily eat rodents, birds, and eggs. They are powerful constrictors, often pinning prey against the walls of burrows to immobilize them.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay clutches of 2 to 24 eggs in late spring or summer, typically in burrows or under logs. Hatchlings emerge in autumn.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Frequently confused with Rattlesnakes (Crotalus spp.). Bullsnakes are distinguished by their round pupils (vs. vertical), lack of heat-sensing pits, pointed tail without a rattle, and larger head scales.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Generally common, though threatened locally by habitat loss and accidental/intentional killing by humans who mistake them for rattlesnakes.
Cultural Significance
Highly beneficial to humans as natural pest control, as they consume large quantities of crop-destroying rodents. Often featured in western folklore for their size and rattlesnake-mimicry.
Notable Features
Possesses a unique epiglottal flap that acts as a reed, allowing the snake to produce a hiss that is much louder and more resonant than most other snake species.