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Nature

Bull Snake

What is bull snake?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Scientific name Pituophis catenifer[2]
Subspecies name Pituophis catenifer sayi[1]
Family Colubridae[2]
Range Western North America, from British Columbia to northern Mexico, east to Indiana[2]
Size Up to 8 ft[1]

The bull snake is a large nonvenomous North American colubrid snake. It is a constrictor, known for its heavy body and small head. It is often called a gopher snake in the western United States. It is not a python, but it shares the constricting hunting method.

Context

The bull snake is a large nonvenomous colubrid native to western North America, ranging from British Columbia to northern Mexico and east to Indiana [2]. It has a heavy body, small head, and an enlarged nose shield for digging [2]. In the western United States, it is often called a gopher snake [2]. Its defensive behavior and appearance often lead people to mistake it for a rattlesnake [1]. When nervous, it produces a deep hissing or rumbling sound [1]. Taxonomy varies: some sources treat the bull snake as Pituophis catenifer, while others identify the bullsnake as the subspecies Pituophis catenifer sayi [2][1].

Documented claims

  • It is a constrictor snake. [2]
  • It is often mistaken for a rattlesnake because of defensive behavior and appearance. [1]
  • It makes a deep hissing or rumbling sound when nervous. [1]

Related

Bull TroutBull trout is another animal species whose name begins with 'bull'.Bull SharkBull shark is another animal species whose name begins with 'bull'.

Questions and answers

Are bull snakes poisonous?

No, bull snakes are nonvenomous [2]. They kill prey by constriction, not venom [2].

Are there bull snakes in Canada?

Yes, their range extends from British Columbia in Canada south to northern Mexico [2].

Can bull snakes be aggressive?

They are not aggressive, but they may hiss or vibrate their tail when nervous, which can make them seem threatening [1].

Why do they call them bull snakes?

The name likely comes from their deep, rumbling hiss, which resembles a bull's bellow [1].

Sources

  1. Bullsnake (Pituophis catinefer sayi)tpwd.texas.gov › huntwild › wild › species › bullsnake — tpwd.texas.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. BULL SNAKE Definition & Meaning — merriam-webster.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature