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Bull Snake Question

soccer191

soccer191

New member
I've had my cb yearling bull snake for a couple months now. He has never struck at me, and sits in my hand fine. But as soon as I try to move him around or redirect him, he hisses a LOT. I hold him every day except for after feeding, but am not seeing too much improvement with the hissing. Any tips other than frequent handling? :shrugs:
 
I don't personally have experience with bull snakes, but I have heard they can sometimes be a little hissy in general. I would think it will probably calm down eventually if you keep handling him regularly.
On a side note, do you have some pictures you could post of him? I've always thought bull snakes were awesome! :)
 
That's pretty much normal for a yearling bull snake. He just trying to protect its self. Try not gripping it and just let it crawl through your hands and direct it that way. Sudden movements don't help either. He will improve as he gets older!
 
What would YOU do if someone wanted you to go in a different direction? :D

I think he's just being a temperamental teenager.
 
Yeah, the hissy-ness is pretty typical. It should decrease as he gets older. The one I had was pretty hissy for the first few weeks, but after about 2 months, he ceased hissing altogether (which was kind of a bummer, in a way. LOL).

Good luck with him and I also wouldn't mind seeing pics! :)
 
He might slow down the hissing, he might not, but he'll never stop all together. Bulls don't exactly have a reputation for being cuddly.

The bulls I have known have been hissers their whole lives, enjoy it! At least they put on a good show for friends and relatives.
 
Talkative snakes, ain't they?

It's very common among all of the Pituophis that I have dealt with, wild and captive bred. They are all very vociferous and full of bluff and hot air. *Usually* they are more vocal than physical in their threats. They seem to puff up and hiss for any reason, but seem moderately reluctant to bite...which is a good thing.

His hissing may never stop. It's just the way they are. In my opinion...he isn't chewing on you everytime you handle him, so really...that's as good as one can hope for. They are great snakes, and their distinctive attitude and boisterous hissing are one of the things that seperate them from "the crowd". Enjoy the displays. They are entertaining, if nothing else...they keep you on your toes. :D
 
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