Bull Snakes are EXCELLENT beginner snakes with just a few cautions.

1. You are right they are very hardy but just because they live in MN does not mean they can handle sub freezing temps. You have to give them a good viv with correct temps and a good gradient just like you would a corn or any other common snake kept as a pet.

2. They can get pretty big, like 5-7 feet depending on the line, phase, region, etc. They don't need a huge viv but a bit more space then say a corn or garter. They never get "huge" and they are never that girthy, certainly no problem for most kids to handle, just plan on needing a minimum of say a 30 long for them as adults.

3. Fed well they grow fast, they can and do often hit 5 feet in one year if you feed them well. Not really a caution just that bigger cage may be needed sooner then you think.

4. Despite what djansen says they are very docile animals, every bit as docile as a corn. Wild caught Bulls are very hissy and will strike and even bite on ocassion. Yet even they calm down if you are gentle and don't grab them behind the head etc. pretty quick. Corns are no more docile then a bull, anyone doubting that just head to Florida, The Carolina's, etc and go find some wild corns, any belief that all corns don't bite will quickly pass. To me Corns seem harder to calm down if they are wild adults then bulls. Bulls just HISS real loud.

5. The hissing could be an issue with the young girls. Sometimes any snake just does not want to be picked up. When a tame corn or ball is in that mood they generally try to escape or hide. A bull (even a tame one) will sometimes get hissy. They are reluctent to bite but like my niece had issue with one of my bulls hissing at her, (thought it did not like her, took it personal, ) but those antics are rare. Just know they might hiss on ocassion and make sure the kiddos don't get upset about it.

Overall given a large enough viv and the right feeding and temps they are almost bullet proof. To me they are a highly overlooked beginner snake, they are far more interesting then corns and if you want a morph there are getting to be almost as many bull phases as corns. Hypos are beautiful, natural red phase ones from both the Crumbly and Ginter Lines are very cool too. Just a plain old normal bull is as good as any in my opinion.

I just find them more fun then corns! They always get 5ish or better feet and a bit thicker and just seem to have more personality.