Pituophis

[Bitis_Gabonica]

Ok lets try this again.

Pituophis is a North American genus from the family Colubridae. The genus is made up of Bull, Pine, and Gopher snakes. Pine snakes are found in the Eastern US, Bull snakes are found in Cental North America, and Gopher snakes are found in western US and northern mexico. All 3 species are large bodied snakes (that somewhat resemble a rattler from a distance), most averaging and maturing at 6 feet but on some occasions can reach 8 feet.

Housing:
Given that this genus are North Americas largest colubrids, they should be caged in rather decent sized enclosures. If you prefer tanks, a 30g tanks should be used for an adult Pituophis. If you prefer racks, appropriate sized tubs should be used. Neonates and sub-adults can be kept in appropriate sized rubbermaid shoeboxes. If you choose to use rubber shoeboxes, be sure to add plenty of airholes for good ventilation. Snakes are also great escape artists, if there is a way for them to escape, they will find it. Always make sure the top or opening of your enclosure is tightly fastened. Pituophis grow rather quickly, and mature at 6' in length. So be sure you can provide appropriate caging depending on the size of your snake.

Substrate:
Avoid cedar (toxic to reptiles), sand (that isn't calcium sand), and gravel. Newspaper is great as it is cheap, easy to clean, and easy to replace. Aspen snake bedding is the most reccommended substrate because it is 99.9% dust free. Other good substrates include: Pine shavings (avoid pine that is mixed with cedar or has a strong pine scent), Cypress mulch, and Co-co bark. It is also good to paper towels for hatchling and neonates for monitoring.

Water:
It very important to provide fresh/clean water at all times. Your snakes water should be changed daily. It is also always important to provide a water dish large enough for your snake to fully submerge itself. This allows your Pituophis to soak during shed and will help keep him hydrated.

Heating:
Of all the requirements for keeping Pituophis, heating is the most important. Given that Pituophis are Colubrids, they do not require a heat lamp. Im not saying that you shouldn't provide one, Im saying that it is possible to successfully keep Pituophis without a heat lamp. If you decide to do this, Always make sure that your ambient day time temp is around 80-85 degess. You can provide a heat pad (or flexwatt for racks) under half of your enclosure. This will allow your snake to thermogulate. You can allow the night time temp to drop to about 75-80 degrees.

Feeding:
It may be difficult to get a sub-adult or adult Pituophis to feed for the first time. If this occurs, try putting a live rodent of appropriate size (the widest girth of your snake) in with you Pituophis, and leave it for about 10-15 mins. NEVER leave a live rat or mouse in with your snake for longer than 20-30 mins. The rodent can seriously injure or kill your Pituophis. This should encourage your snake to eat since he isn't being watched. Neonates and hatchlings should be fed a pinkie mouse twice a week. Sub-adults should be fed an appropriate size mouse once every 4-5 days. Adults should be fed one large mouse/rat every 5-7 days.

Hidebox:
You should always provide a hidebox for any snake. This will allow your snake to feel safe and secure. Not providing a hide can lead to stress and refusal to feed. Always make sure that your hide is appropriate sized, Pituophis seem smaller than they really are when they are coiled.

Cited: www.kingsnake.com/pituophis/care.html
www.lihs.org/files/caresheets/Pituophis.html
Note that some of this is my own words.

[redpython]

http://www.pituophis.org

[Bitis_Gabonica]

Kool link RedPython!!

[Skiploder]

http://www.freewebs.com/slitherbriggs/