Many wildlife enthusiasts and the general public wonder if gopher snakes and bull snakes are the same creature. This common confusion stems from their similar appearances and behaviors, leading to frequent misidentification in various natural settings. Understanding the distinctions between these snakes helps clarify their roles in ecosystems and their unique characteristics.
Are They the Same?
Gopher snakes and bull snakes are not the same species; rather, they are distinct, though closely related, members of the same genus, Pituophis. The bull snake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) is a subspecies of the gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer). This means that while all bull snakes are gopher snakes, not all gopher snakes are bull snakes. This classification highlights their shared lineage within the Colubridae family, which includes many non-venomous snakes.
Meet the Gopher Snake
The gopher snake, Pituophis catenifer, is a large, non-venomous constrictor found across much of North America, from southern Canada to Mexico. These snakes display a yellowish or cream base color with prominent dark brown or reddish blotches along their backs and smaller spots on their sides. Adults range from 4 to 5 feet in length, though some can reach up to 7 feet. Gopher snakes are adaptable, inhabiting diverse environments such as prairies, deserts, woodlands, and even cultivated lands, often utilizing mammal burrows for shelter. Their diet primarily consists of small mammals, birds, and their eggs, which they subdue through constriction; when threatened, they exhibit defensive behaviors like hissing loudly and vibrating their tails, often leading to confusion with rattlesnakes.
Meet the Bull Snake
The bull snake, Pituophis catenifer sayi, is a subspecies of gopher snake, recognized for its substantial size and robust build. Bull snakes grow to lengths of 4 to 6 feet, with some individuals reaching up to 8 feet. Their coloration is yellow or tan, marked with large brown, black, or reddish blotches, which can vary across their range. These snakes are found in the Great Plains and Midwestern United States, preferring open grasslands and agricultural areas. Bull snakes primarily prey on small mammals, including gophers, ground squirrels, and rats, and are also known to raid bird nests for eggs and nestlings; when disturbed, they produce a loud, hoarse hiss, aided by a modified epiglottis, and may vibrate their tails vigorously, mimicking a rattlesnake’s warning.
Key Differences
While both snakes share many characteristics, subtle distinctions exist. The bull snake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) is larger and heavier-bodied compared to other gopher snake subspecies. Bull snakes exhibit more pronounced and reddish blotches on a lighter background, whereas other gopher snake subspecies might have more muted or varied color patterns. The head shape can also vary, with bull snakes having a more pointed snout due to an enlarged rostral scale, which assists in their burrowing habits. Furthermore, their geographic distributions differ, with bull snakes primarily inhabiting the central and eastern plains of the United States, while other gopher snake subspecies are more prevalent in the western and southwestern regions.
Shared Ancestry and Similarities
The common ancestry of gopher snakes and bull snakes within the genus Pituophis explains their similarities and the frequent confusion between them. Both are non-venomous constrictors that play an ecological role as predators of rodents, helping to control pest populations. They share defensive behaviors, such as loud hissing, body inflation, and tail vibration, which mimic venomous rattlesnakes, though they lack fangs or venom. This mimicry, combined with their comparable patterns and coloration, contributes to their being mistaken for one another. Their shared preference for burrowing in sandy or loose soils also reflects their evolutionary adaptations.