Pituophis catenifer sayi
Bullsnake


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Range: The eastern end of the state.
Other Names: Bullsnake, Blowsnake, gopher snake
Description: One of the longest, if not the longest snake found in New Mexico, they can reach lengths of seven feet or more. Large adults are usually around four feet. These snakes have a yellowish tan base color with brownish to reddish and sometimes black blotches. These are very difficult to tell apart from the Sonoran Gophersnake and the Great Basin Gophersnake. Great Basin Gophers tend to have a "cleaner" pattern, some individuals have spots closer to the head. The bullsnake's rostral scale is usually taller than it is wide. Amelanistic (albino) animals have been found. Many individuals in the pet trade can be difficult to determine which subspecies they are due to cross-breeding.
Venom: None
Habitat: A very diverse amount of habitats, they thrive statewide in pretty much all areas except the high mountain peaks
Behavior: These snakes can be very gentle and they can be very defensive as well. They will commonly coil up and hiss when agitated. They will shake their tail which can sound very much like a rattlesnake to the untrained ear. They will flatten out their heads into a triangular shape. They also have a modified epiglotus which will vibrate while they are hissing. They usually calm down when handled, but can and will bite. This will vary among individuals
Hibernation: These sankes will seek out hibernacula in the fall. This can include many things but usually involves rock crevices or deep rodent burrows. They are known to den cummunally with other species of snakes.
Reproduction: Egg-layers, they mate in early spring and lay eggs about 30 days later. The eggs incubate for about 60 days before hatching.
Diet: A variety of small mammals including mice, rats, gophers, squirrels, rabbits, etc. They will also take birds and their eggs. They will also eat other lizards and occasionally other snakes.
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