Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer)
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Family: Colubridae
Size: 50-80 in.
Status: Protected Wild Animal
Description: This is Wisconsin's longest heavy-bodied snake. Its mottled and blotched pattern changes along the length of the snake, often looking like three different snakes connected together. The tail is usually golden with black rings. Blotches along the snake's midsection may vary from black to reddish-brown. The neck region tends to be heavily mottled with black and white. The prominent deep triangular head shape is distinctive. This harmless snake mimics a rattlesnake by shaking its tail in dry vegetation, and may hiss loudly when approached. Unlike the timber rattlesnake, the bullsnake has a heavily patterned head and a pointed tail. Bullsnakes live in sand prairies, oak savannas and in pine and oak barrens. They feed primarily on small mammals and are excellent at controlling pocket gopher populations.
Additional bullsnake information and observation reporting form....
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