Bull Snakes?

[Skiploder]

Even when its natural habitat is desert?

What it the locality of the bull snake?

[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

[Skiploder]

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

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.

[vangarret2000]

Even when its natural habitat is desert?

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.

[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!

[vangarret2000]

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!

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.

[SgtZabka]

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

[NH93]

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!