BULLSNAKE
Pituophis catenifer sayi
Constrictor- Nonvenomous
They are usually tan, yellow, or cream colored with brown, white, black blotching. The blotching pattern is large blotches on top, three sets of spots on the sides, and bands of black on the tail. The belly is yellow or cream-colored, with a checkering of square or rectangular, dark brown or black spots along the sides.
Adults grow to a length: 37 to 72 inches.
Bullsnakes are found statewide, except for the southeastern third of the state. Most common along the western grassland areas of the state, with scattered locations throughout the Ozarks and northern Missouri.
Bullsnakes are very powerful constrictors that eat small mammals, such as mice, moles, rats, pocket gophers, ground squirrels, as well as ground-nesting birds, birds' eggs and lizards. Because of the large number of crop-destroying rodents it eats, this species is a valuable neighbor to farmers.
If approached or cornered, a bullsnake will coil, vibrate its tail, and hiss loudly with the mouth partly open.
They are usually tan, yellow, or cream colored with brown, white, black blotching. The blotching pattern is large blotches on top, three sets of spots on the sides, and bands of black on the tail. The belly is yellow or cream-colored, with a checkering of square or rectangular, dark brown or black spots along the sides.
Adults grow to a length: 37 to 72 inches.
Bullsnakes are found statewide, except for the southeastern third of the state. Most common along the western grassland areas of the state, with scattered locations throughout the Ozarks and northern Missouri.
Bullsnakes are very powerful constrictors that eat small mammals, such as mice, moles, rats, pocket gophers, ground squirrels, as well as ground-nesting birds, birds' eggs and lizards. Because of the large number of crop-destroying rodents it eats, this species is a valuable neighbor to farmers.
If approached or cornered, a bullsnake will coil, vibrate its tail, and hiss loudly with the mouth partly open.
Photo by Peter Paplanus
