Which snake to get after a Corn?

[Bogertophis]

I never understood the rep Bullsnakes get for their defensiveness. I've picked up, taken their temp, measured, weighed, etc. a ton of wild Bulls (best weekend was over 20 Bulls -I'd have to check my notes for a hard number but certainly over 20) … Anyway, over the years I can only remember one of them putting up a decent effort into trying to bite me and even that old boy mellowed out without me having to restrain his melon while I took his stats. Only a few have hissed at me too...

Bulls are impressive snakes as adults and they have called to me many times but keeping wild ones for a couple weeks at a time for group trainings always tempered that idea. I decided I didn't want to dedicate the large size of the environment that I thought would be necessary due to their activity and their ability to rearrange an enclosure is impressive.

That being said, I'm sure a captive born one is somewhat different than their free brothers. Finding a reputable breeder willing to share his or her thoughts on the matter would probably be more help.

There weren't any wild bull snakes where I lived for many years (CA desert) but we had (very similar) native gopher snakes, & I agree with you. These are generally
"aware" snakes that seem intelligent. I too handled some wild ones to relocate, even big adults that did NOT bite me for picking them up (gently & mid-body, never
grabbing at them like a predator). I have also bred & raised some actual bull snakes from an unrelated pair of adults: my adults were both easily handled. I'd gotten
the male at several months of age & he was always mellow. The female was given to me years later as an adult...she was somewhat feisty but still handleable, & much
of that I attributed to her lack of handling with her former owner. Their offspring were impressively scrappy, some more than others were willing to bite, not just hiss
about it, lol. Had they been wild snakes, they sure seemed to be likely survivors. As it was, most mellowed pretty quickly, but beyond that I can't say. (I already
had a house-full of snakes, so they had to be sold. All were easy to feed, that's typical.)

You brought up a good point though- about keeping these kinds of snakes in large cages: they are diurnal (day time) ACTIVE hunters & can be restless (prone to nose
rubbing) in cages, even in large cages. They are NOT meant to be kept in "tubs"! So please consider this when you determine if these kinds of snakes are right for you.
They do great with frequent interaction (handling outside of their cage) and I never had any that bit me, they are not confused about what is "food", nor are they easily
stressed into not feeding. And you sure won't need a hair-dryer for their food. F/T is readily taken. Fun snakes for the right person.