|
1-5 of 5 messages
|
Page 1 of 1
|
|
Snake Identification
|
Reply
|
|
by Morg43 on July 29, 2001
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I currently live in Utah, high desert country, and have recently caught what is known as a "Blow Snake" here. I believe Raplh to be a member of the bullsnake family but not sure, I would be grateful for any help.
Roy
|
| |
|
RE: Snake Identification
|
Reply
|
|
by filthy on July 29, 2001
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi Morg,
That's exactly what it is. Acutally, it's most likely the Great Basin Gopher Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus deserticola). These have a fierce defense posture, raising up, hissing furiously, and vibrating the tail like a Rattler. There are some 10 subspecies in the Pine / Gopher complex, which includes the Bull snake.
Ralph might grow to a length of eight feet and be one of the best 'pet' snakes you could ask for.
Feed him lots of mice.
luck,
f
|
| |
|
RE: Snake Identification
|
Reply
|
|
by TAIPAN78 on July 30, 2001
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi Morg,
Im going to agree with Phil in that its probally and great basin. Like alreay mentioned, they can give quite the spectacular threat display makeing you think they are the durn meanset snake in the wolrd but with most pits(short for Pituophis), this is only a bluff.
With my pits, even though they still try to scar me, if picked up, usualy shut up. I have never had one bite me or even think about it to tell ya the truth. They all eat great and and are an absoulute joy to work with. I currently keep a Blk pine, Northern pine and Sonoran Gophersnake and find the to be the most fascinateing non ven genus on the planet!
If your snake is indeed a great basin he wont get as large as some of the other gophers, namley the Sonoran Gopher. The S.gopher have been known to reach 7 ft plus and are tied with the N.pines and Bullsnakes as the biggest Pits. Great basins probally average around 4 to 5 and six would be a real big one.
Also, though im not to fimilar with Western Pit distrubution, one way to tell a gopher from a bull is the head size. Pine and bull snakes have realkly bulky heads, much larger then the gophers. If his head and snout look rather narrow, Id say gopher.
For great info and chat on this wonderfull genus may I suggest you going to Kingsnake.com and checking out the Pine, Bull and gophersnake forum. Some realy great, knowledgeable people frequent the forum and can give you much more help then I.
Enjoy your freind!!
Later,
Jeremy
|
| |
|
RE: Snake Identification
|
Reply
|
|
by Morg43 on July 30, 2001
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
filthy,
Hey thanks alot for the info, Ralph is a very gentle snake and my boys really enjoy playing with him. He has never attempted to bite or shown any aggression of any sort, he has gone through his first shed with us and eats like a horse. My wife who has a snake phobia has even started to hold and play with him. I will have to keep ya posted on how big he gets, I am only guessing he is a boy but will find out for sure at the reptile show here next month.
Thanks again,
Roy
|
| |
|
RE: Snake Identification
|
Reply
|
|
by Morg43 on July 30, 2001
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi Jeremy,
I am thinking he is a Gopher cuz his head and snout are kinda long but no matter, he is a great snake and I will keep him as long as I can. My kids really love him and like I said he is a cool snake. I will go to kingsnake.com and find some other folks who have snakes like mine.
Thanks again,
Roy
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
