Bull Snakes?

Hey everyone,

Does anyone here have experience with bull snakes? The reason I ask, is my friend who has an almost adult bull wants to get rid of it because he is moving to Mexico. The snakes is very tame, they even let their 5 year old handle it (probably not the safest idea I know..). It would be really easy to take care of because bulls are native here so the set up is not a problem, I just want to know if there is anything special I should look out for.

Thanks guys! :w00t:

I have a snow morph Bull and he's a super easy keeper: never refuses, easy to handle, and pretty bomb proof for husbandry. My only thing with him is that he is super loud when he bluffs: his hisses are louder than any of my other snakes! It sounds like yours is already super laid back but just know that they are sometimes known to be big bluffers but most are very well mannered.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...ps8cd345a9.jpg

What size of tank are you using? The bull I'm looking at is about 5' long, should I do a 40 gal or splurge on a 50 because he is going to grow a bit more.

I don't use tanks but 41qt tubs seem to be the norm for these guys, I'm personally contemplating a 4' AP cage for my guy though since he's pretty active. I would give more room if you can.

Cool, thanks man! I'll post some pictures soon!

Depending on the locality of the bull, you are going to need a 4' cage. A 5' long male sayi is not done growing..............

These are not ball pythons. They are active with quick metabolisms. You need to provide it with as much space as you can.

I keep my adult pits in 66"x30"x9" drawers.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Depending on the locality of the bull, you are going to need a 4' cage. A 5' long male sayi is not done growing..............

These are not ball pythons. They are active with quick metabolisms. You need to provide it with as much space as you can.

I keep my adult pits in 66"x30"x9" drawers.

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Hey Skiploder I apologize man I tried to send you a PM but it said your box was full. I was the one that posted about construction management. Let me know if I can shoot you a quick PM or Email or something.

Could I use sand for his tank?

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Originally Posted by SgtZabka

Could I use sand for his tank?

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Sand is generally frowned upon as a snake substrate; if you're looking for something that won't contribute to high humidity, try newspaper/paper towel or aspen.

EDIT: Always nice to run into fellow Greeks on the web. University of Pittsburgh ΣAE here.

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Originally Posted by BLM94

Sand is generally frowned upon as a snake substrate; if you're looking for something that won't contribute to high humidity, try newspaper/paper towel or aspen.

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Even when its natural habitat is desert?

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Originally Posted by SgtZabka

Even when its natural habitat is desert?

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What it the locality of the bull snake?

He was a hatchling of 2 wild caught Bulls, both of which are from here in New Mexico. So I am assuming, unless you are looking up north, it would be desert/sage bushes

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Originally Posted by SgtZabka

He was a hatchling of 2 wild caught Bulls, both of which are from here in New Mexico. So I am assuming, unless you are looking up north, it would be desert/sage bushes

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All of the deserts are sand?

Most deserts I've herped in are not sand, but a combination of dry rock soils with varying degrees of sand.

When you keep an animal on sand, you are representing a very small biome found in deserts - many of which are pure dune environments.

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Originally Posted by SgtZabka

Even when its natural habitat is desert?

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Being classified as a desert has to do with how dry the climate is not specifically the terrain. If a snake lives in a desert area doesn't mean they only live in the sand. Deserts still have plant life area. Kelowna BC is a desert type climate and they don't have any desert (sand) areas in the sense you are meaning. Bull snakes can live in your area and might even be seen in the sand but that doesn't mean that is where they would spend the most of their time. They would generally live more near a water source which would also be a generally area 'with more soil and plants then sand. Bull snakes are also very common it Alberta Canada. That's a forest area not sandy. Also if you took one from the wild there (which you wouldn't because its illegal there) you wouldn't grow grass in a tank for a substraight you would still use shavings, paper towels etc. Sand is actually more abrasive then people may think. If you have your bull on it all the time it would eventually dull out his colors a little from minor scratching. Not a big issue but still happens. Google "Bull snake care". It will give you pages with general information. Keep in mind though they aren't always a 100% accurate so you can also come back here to clarify stuff you might read as well. Or if you have other questions. Also I recommend a 4 foot tank at least. Some of the care sheets you might look up could say smaller then that because they aren't a big snake but they are active like already mentioned so a bigger tank is better.

Ok, thanks for the help! I went and got a 40 gallon tank, he is about 5 feet long and very active, actually prefers being held than in the tank. Also went with aspen sub, and a fake log. He seems content for being in the car all day :) Pictures soon to come!

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Originally Posted by SgtZabka

Ok, thanks for the help! I went and got a 40 gallon tank, he is about 5 feet long and very active, actually prefers being held than in the tank. Also went with aspen sub, and a fake log. He seems content for being in the car all day :) Pictures soon to come!

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Sounds good. A 40 gallon would be good for now but you should get him something bigger when you get some more money. Did you put hides in his tank? Snakes need at least a couple hides in their enclosures. You can buy some from a pet store or make some outta some tupperware if you wanna save money. Or even just put in some cereal boxes that are big enough to hold him. You want something that is just big enough to hold the whole snake or slightly larger.

Even though he is native to your are you might need to get him some extra heat. If he was out in the wild he could move if he wanted to be in a hotter area to bask or leave if he wanted to cool off. In a house the temp is generally the same throughout and usually cooler then it is outside. The tank should have a hot spot at around 85 degrees for him to bask in. Even when you come from a hot area houses generally don't get that hot. Especially if you have a/c or it's in a basement. the cool end of his tank should be around 70-80 degrees. Having a temperature gradient is best for the snake so it can choose where about it wants to be depending on the temperature.

Pics would be sweet when you get a chance. It's always nice getting something other then a bp on here.

http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc841a6a0.jpg

http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps37b52e87.jpg

http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/s...psb504f88c.jpg

He was super dry, so I gave him a bath. He actually really enjoyed it

Wicked looking snake!!

Just to add, I'm not sure if it's been mentioned about the sand - the reason it is frowned upon is it can cause impactions if swallowed, and it can get stuck between scales and cause infections. At least those are two reasons I hear quite often.
I've heard that sand is also not great for absorbancy ;)

Best of luck with your new snake!