Life History of Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center’s Bullsnake
Bullsnakes have banded , smooth tails, unlike the segmented tail tips known as rattles on the Massassauga
Rattlesnake’s tail (inset).
Carpenter Nature Center’s Bullsnake was adopted from a private owner in 2007 and is captive-bred. The snake was hatched in 2000 and is believed to be a male. The pet owner could no longer care for the large snake and found it a safe home as an educational ambassador. Through careful training the snake has become a calm and valued member of CNC’s education team. He may even live to be over twenty years old.
Carpenter Nature Center’s Bullsnake is a wonderful ambassador, teaching thousands of visitors every year about our natural environment and the diversity of wildlife life found in our region. Our snake will live a comfortable life with humans, as he is provided with all the food he needs and safety from predators.
Bullsnakes are commonly encountered in our area but are listed as a species of special concern in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. The number one threat to Bullsnakes is habitat loss and degradation from urban sprawl, agriculture and fire suppression. The lack of fire in an ecosystem allows woody species to overgrow sandy, prairie habitats which are preferred by Bullsnakes. Bullsnakes are often mistaken for rattlesnakes and killed. Bullsnakes actually do farmers and homeowners a favor by controlling rodent populations. Collection for the pet trade is another reason many reptile species around the world are endangered or threatened. If you are fortunate enough to find a snake in the wild, leave it alone and enjoy the opportunity to watch a magnificent creature in its natural environment.
