Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Bull Snake

We have ten different species of snakes on our property. One, the largest is the Bull Snake. The first one we had was about 8 feet long, three inches in diameter and probably weighed 7 pounds. We saw him from time to time for the first couple of years. Then, sadly one day found him dead. Ones we've seen since have been smaller, maybe six feet.

Here's one of those "smaller" ones:

Bull Snake

Bull Snake

Slytherin Part II

We have had ten different species of snakes on our property over the years. However, I don't want to give the impression that there are dangerous snakes everywhere you step. We only see two or three rattlesnakes a year; and, maybe 10 snakes altogether.  Yesterday, I talked about the Black Racer. Today, Bullsnakes. 

The first snake I came across on our property was actually during one of the visits leading up to our purchase. It was the largest snake I had ever seen -- outside a zoo. It looked to be about 8 feet long with a diameter of three inches or so. That's a big snake in the US. And, it was a Bullsnake. In the ten years since, we see one a couple times a year. We saw Big Bull a couples of times for the first three years, then found him dead the third year. Probably just old age. But, not being a forensic scientist or pathologist, what do I know?

Bullsnakes are sometimes mistaken for rattlesnakes and thus killed. (I must admit that I am not in favor of killing snakes -- even Rattlesnakes). Due to its coloration, dorsal pattern, and semi-keeled scalation; the Bullsnake superficially resembles the Western Diamondback Rattler which is also common here. The Bullsnake capitalizes on this similarity by performing a very impressive rattlesnake impression when threatened. First, it hisses, or forcibly exhales through a bisected glottis, which flaps back and forth producing a very convincing "rattle" sound. It will also take on a rattlesnake-like "S-curve" body posture, as if it is going to strike. The Bullsnake will commonly vibrate its tail rapidly amongst the brush or leaves, and flatten its head to make it take on a more characteristic triangular-shaped head of the rattlesnake. These defensive behaviors are meant to scare away threats, however, not sound an attack.

Snakes are a challenge to photograph due to their length. How do you get close enough to get detail in perfect focus for something 4 to 6 feet long. The quick witted answer is "very carefully" but the real answer is" not often possible." The best photos are usually with coiled snakes or snakes that are closely serpentined. I kept asking Big Bull to cooperate but, he was a stubborn old guy that just wasn't very interested in me getting a good photo. As you see below, I have a close-up of the head, a close-up of the body detail, and then a full length (or almost full length) photo. 

Bull Snake

Bull Snake

Bull Snake

On to Snakes

Since the snakes are out and about now, I thought I'd spend the next couple of days with the Arizona Snakes. The first is the black racer. And, he is fast when he wants to be. One day, Christine saw him speeding down the driveway with a Gambel's Quail on his back and several others following behind. This time of year snakes and quail don't get along well together. Too many quail eggs around. The second photo is a Bull Snake roaming around our property a couple of years ago. The Bull Snake is the largest of Arizona's snakes in it a subspecies of the gopher snake. The third photo is another subspecies of the gopher snake, the Sonora Gopher Snake, taken in the Galiluro Mountains of Arizona. I showed you one of these a couple of days ago that was drinking from a water bowl here on our property.

Sonoran Gopher Snake

I must interrupt the current topic of lizards to bring you someone else who loves lizards. I took this photo yesterday of a Sonoran Gopher or Bull Snake. This is the largest of the snakes found in Arizona. He can be nine feet long and the diameter of a coffee cup. We had one that large the first couple of years we were here. Then one day found him dead. This one is about six feet long. He was drinking water from a small cement drinking pool that we have. You can see what a beautiful pattern he has from the second photo.