They are overall beige to light brown with dark brown or black blotches. Alberta Environmental Protection, Natural Resources Service, Wildlife Management division. Phone conversation during Threats Calculator Assessment conference call for the Bullsnake.March 2016. That means you should not expect to find their food in cans, like dog or cat food. The calculated change in IAO could be an artefact of the distribution of recent search effort, which has not been systematic across the species range. Cottonwood Consultants Ltd. 1987. Not applicable; PVA not done due to lack of data. Calgary, Alberta. It is assumed that newly discovered occurrences represent existing undocumented occurrences rather than range expansion. Journal of Herpetology 42:265269. 
The maximum distances dispersed from hibernacula during the course of the active season by 16 radio-tracked adult Bullsnakes ranged from 493 m to 3946 m (mean = 1709 m 257 m) in the wide Frenchman River valley in Saskatchewan (Martino 2010). Stebbins, Robert C. and Samuel M. McGinnis. A bullsnake, or Pituophis catenifer sayi, is a large, non-venomous constrictor snake. The eggs and young are especially vulnerable. These snakes are called bull snakes over much of their range; however, in the western United States they are often called gopher snakes. Didiuk (pers. Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute. The primary duty of the Planning & Zoning Division is the day-to-day management of zoning and subdivision issues arising from administration of the City's Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances. COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Tel. However, especially in Saskatchewan, large areas of the Bullsnakes range have few roads and most of these roads have little traffic. 2008. Bullsnakes are non-venomous snakes and their bite causes no harm to humans or animals. 2016. Map illustrating estimated extent of occurrence (outline) of the Bullsnake in Canada, showing location records since 2000, from 1990 to 2000, and from before 1990. Saskatoon, SK, Jennifer Doubt Mike now focuses on herp education through social media and public programs. 2013). Designations are made on native species for the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens. Some believe that they owe their name to this behavior. 2016. In Alberta, Bullsnake is designated as a sensitive species by Alberta Environment and Parks, with the population described as stable or possibly declining. The defensive behaviours of Bullsnakes (e.g., hissing, tail vibrating, occasionally biting) coupled with their large size and superficial resemblance to rattlesnakes increase the likelihood of intentional persecution. Over-grazed areas are harmful for snakes, but most areas (e.g., in parks) are managed reasonably well avoiding over-grazing. 2016. 2016a. Generating population estimates is difficult given the typically low recapture rates (Kapfer et al. Females are larger than males but males have larger cirri. A number of factors make Bullsnakes susceptible to road mortality, namely their use of road-side features as habitat (Fortney et al. Ottawa. 2006. 
comm. While many occurrences in Saskatchewan appear to be separated by distances that are beyond normal movement capabilities of Bullsnakes (e.g., 10s of km separating Big Muddy, Frenchman, and South Saskatchewan river valleys), others, particularly in eastern Alberta are relatively close together (within a few km or closer), suggesting habitat connectivity. The scope is closer to the high end of restricted and the severity is negligible because most pipelines are underground. 2016). Gophersnake--Pituophis catenifer. There is habitat connectivity across the international border to Montana along the many drainages of the Milk River (Didiuk pers. The range of bull snakes includes Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. Alberta Environmental Protection. A large increase in traffic volume would adversely affect many Bullsnake subpopulations. Ottawa, ON, Lonnie Bilyk 8 yrs See Life Cycle and Reproduction for description of generation time used. 2012). What Do Rattlesnake Eggs Look Like? No warranty, expressed or impli ed, is Somers, J.A. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. The subpopulation in the South Saskatchewan River Valley is highly differentiated from the other two. Poulin. Life History Bullsnakes vary in temperament. Early surveys for Bullsnakes in Alberta were conducted by Cottonwood Consultants Ltd. (1986, 1987; cited in COSEWIC 2002), Didiuk at Suffield National Wildlife Area (Didiuk 1999), and Alberta Environmental Protection (1996, 1998; cited in COSEWIC 2002). Bullsnakes can sometimes be mistaken for rattlesnakes and killed. Three maps illustrating the percentage of landscape change by county in tilled land (map a), hayland (map b), and natural land (map c) from 1971 to 2001 in southern Saskatchewan. Most authorities consider road mortality to be the most serious threat to Bullsnake in Canada (Kissner and Nicholson 2003; Martinson 2009). Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi); photo by Jonathan Wright. Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Though some bullsnakes can be docile, and with some time become accustomed to handling, most are quite defensive. In Canada, Bullsnake occurs in short- and mixed-grass prairie, commonly in association with brushy and sandy areas and around badlands along major river valleys. Kissner, K.J., and J. Nicholson. June 2016. enmneou ebuuae st ebeu geae gocg ebertLJJ 6 B ontqe . ca. Within the Prairie Region of Alberta (which encompasses the Grassland Natural Region where Bullsnake is found, as well as the Parkland Region), the percent area covered by human footprint increased from 61.3% to 63.1% between 1999 and 2013 (ABMI 2016). comm. 2010. While the effects of oil and gas exploration and drilling on the snakes were thought to be low overall, there have been no studies. Snake fungal disease is now in Minnesota, and although it is not yet known within the Bullsnakes range, its spread was considered a possibility. 
Web site: http://esrd.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/species-at-risk/wild-species-status-search.aspx [accessed 15 October 2015]. Photo: Adapted from Conant and Collins (1998) and Kissner and Nicholson (2003), Photo: Adapted from Alberta NAWMP Partnership (2008), Photo: Adapted from Saskatchewan NAWMP Partnership (2008), (Note: Formerly described as Vulnerable from 1990 to 1999, or Rare prior to 1990. Mating generally occurs in May, soon after the snakes emerge from hibernation. Although the aforementioned studies have documented Bullsnakes being killed on roads, and localized sites and/or subpopulations could be adversely affected, large areas of the species range have few roads, particularly in Saskatchewan, and many of these roads have low traffic levels (Didiuk pers. They are mainly fossorial (burrowing); however, they often cross open land and climb trees in search of prey, which is mainly rodents but also includes birds and lizards. 2016. pers. Bullsnakes feed mostly on rodents and do not prey on rattlesnakes, which is a common misconception. The age at sexual maturity is unknown; however, the closely related Great Basin Gophersnake probably does not reproduce until four years of age. The belly is yellow or cream-colored, with a checkering of square or rectangular, dark brown or black spots along the sides. Their belly is yellowish with black spots. This makes bullsnakes among the largest snakes native to Canada and the United States, although they are generally not as long as indigo snakes nor as heavy or as large in diameter as rattlesnakes. Map illustrating the index of area of occupancy (IAO) of the Bullsnake in Saskatchewan, showing 2 by 2 kilometre grid squares used to generate IAO. Rob has written COSEWIC reports and recovery strategies for several snakes. In national parks, the species is protected under the Canada National Parks Act. March 2016). Seven threat categories were identified as having negligible overall impacts on the Canadian population at present, but they could be locally important or could become more important in the future. Montana Field Guide. However, it should be noted that the bullsnake is not imitating a rattlesnake, rather, they are using a defensive display that works and helps them survive. Wright, J.D. Increased grazing intensity and poorer range management could potentially be a problem in Alberta. A scale count is required to distinguish juvenile bullsnakes from other juvenile gopher snakes. It also needs to be escape-proof. They usually have moist skin, lack scales or claws, and are ectothermal (cold-blooded), so they do not produce their own body heat the way birds and mammals do. Canadian Wildlife Service Adult males are generally larger than females (Kapfer 2009). Poulin, R.G. The scope would be at the low end of the small range. 2016). Journal of Arid Environments 66:2741. They are mainly fossorial (burrowing); however, they often cross open land and climb trees in search of prey, which is mainly rodents but also includes birds and lizards. Extent of occurrence (outline) and index of area of occupancy (grid squares) for the Bullsnake are also shown. Negligible to no impacts on hibernacula are expected from these changes. At a landscape scale, Bullsnakes in Canada are found in short- and mixed-grass prairie, commonly in association with brushy and sandy areas and around badlands along major river valleys (Waye and Shewchuk 2002; Kissner and Nicholson 2003). M.Sc thesis, University of Regina. National Defence The configuration of habitat features around the hibernacula likely has a substantial influence on the distances moved by Bullsnakes. comm. Not applicable; population size and subpopulation structure are unknown. 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The maximum distances dispersed from hibernacula during the course of the active season by 16 radio-tracked adult Bullsnakes ranged from 493 m to 3946 m (mean = 1709 m 257 m) in the wide Frenchman River valley in Saskatchewan (Martino 2010). Stebbins, Robert C. and Samuel M. McGinnis. A bullsnake, or Pituophis catenifer sayi, is a large, non-venomous constrictor snake. The eggs and young are especially vulnerable. These snakes are called bull snakes over much of their range; however, in the western United States they are often called gopher snakes. Didiuk (pers. Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute. The primary duty of the Planning & Zoning Division is the day-to-day management of zoning and subdivision issues arising from administration of the City's Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances. COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Tel. However, especially in Saskatchewan, large areas of the Bullsnakes range have few roads and most of these roads have little traffic. 2008. Bullsnakes are non-venomous snakes and their bite causes no harm to humans or animals. 2016. Map illustrating estimated extent of occurrence (outline) of the Bullsnake in Canada, showing location records since 2000, from 1990 to 2000, and from before 1990. Saskatoon, SK, Jennifer Doubt Mike now focuses on herp education through social media and public programs. 2013). Designations are made on native species for the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens. Some believe that they owe their name to this behavior. 2016. In Alberta, Bullsnake is designated as a sensitive species by Alberta Environment and Parks, with the population described as stable or possibly declining. The defensive behaviours of Bullsnakes (e.g., hissing, tail vibrating, occasionally biting) coupled with their large size and superficial resemblance to rattlesnakes increase the likelihood of intentional persecution. Over-grazed areas are harmful for snakes, but most areas (e.g., in parks) are managed reasonably well avoiding over-grazing. 2016. 2016a. Generating population estimates is difficult given the typically low recapture rates (Kapfer et al. Females are larger than males but males have larger cirri. A number of factors make Bullsnakes susceptible to road mortality, namely their use of road-side features as habitat (Fortney et al. Ottawa. 2006. comm. While many occurrences in Saskatchewan appear to be separated by distances that are beyond normal movement capabilities of Bullsnakes (e.g., 10s of km separating Big Muddy, Frenchman, and South Saskatchewan river valleys), others, particularly in eastern Alberta are relatively close together (within a few km or closer), suggesting habitat connectivity. The scope is closer to the high end of restricted and the severity is negligible because most pipelines are underground. 2016). Gophersnake--Pituophis catenifer. There is habitat connectivity across the international border to Montana along the many drainages of the Milk River (Didiuk pers. The range of bull snakes includes Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. Alberta Environmental Protection. A large increase in traffic volume would adversely affect many Bullsnake subpopulations. Ottawa, ON, Lonnie Bilyk 8 yrs See Life Cycle and Reproduction for description of generation time used. 2012). What Do Rattlesnake Eggs Look Like? No warranty, expressed or impli ed, is Somers, J.A. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. The subpopulation in the South Saskatchewan River Valley is highly differentiated from the other two. Poulin. Life History Bullsnakes vary in temperament. Early surveys for Bullsnakes in Alberta were conducted by Cottonwood Consultants Ltd. (1986, 1987; cited in COSEWIC 2002), Didiuk at Suffield National Wildlife Area (Didiuk 1999), and Alberta Environmental Protection (1996, 1998; cited in COSEWIC 2002). Bullsnakes can sometimes be mistaken for rattlesnakes and killed. Three maps illustrating the percentage of landscape change by county in tilled land (map a), hayland (map b), and natural land (map c) from 1971 to 2001 in southern Saskatchewan. Most authorities consider road mortality to be the most serious threat to Bullsnake in Canada (Kissner and Nicholson 2003; Martinson 2009). Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi); photo by Jonathan Wright. Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Though some bullsnakes can be docile, and with some time become accustomed to handling, most are quite defensive. In Canada, Bullsnake occurs in short- and mixed-grass prairie, commonly in association with brushy and sandy areas and around badlands along major river valleys. Kissner, K.J., and J. Nicholson. June 2016. enmneou ebuuae st ebeu geae gocg ebertLJJ 6 B ontqe . ca. Within the Prairie Region of Alberta (which encompasses the Grassland Natural Region where Bullsnake is found, as well as the Parkland Region), the percent area covered by human footprint increased from 61.3% to 63.1% between 1999 and 2013 (ABMI 2016). comm. 2010. While the effects of oil and gas exploration and drilling on the snakes were thought to be low overall, there have been no studies. Snake fungal disease is now in Minnesota, and although it is not yet known within the Bullsnakes range, its spread was considered a possibility. Web site: http://esrd.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/species-at-risk/wild-species-status-search.aspx [accessed 15 October 2015]. Photo: Adapted from Conant and Collins (1998) and Kissner and Nicholson (2003), Photo: Adapted from Alberta NAWMP Partnership (2008), Photo: Adapted from Saskatchewan NAWMP Partnership (2008), (Note: Formerly described as Vulnerable from 1990 to 1999, or Rare prior to 1990. Mating generally occurs in May, soon after the snakes emerge from hibernation. Although the aforementioned studies have documented Bullsnakes being killed on roads, and localized sites and/or subpopulations could be adversely affected, large areas of the species range have few roads, particularly in Saskatchewan, and many of these roads have low traffic levels (Didiuk pers. They are mainly fossorial (burrowing); however, they often cross open land and climb trees in search of prey, which is mainly rodents but also includes birds and lizards. 2016. pers. Bullsnakes feed mostly on rodents and do not prey on rattlesnakes, which is a common misconception. The age at sexual maturity is unknown; however, the closely related Great Basin Gophersnake probably does not reproduce until four years of age. The belly is yellow or cream-colored, with a checkering of square or rectangular, dark brown or black spots along the sides. Their belly is yellowish with black spots. This makes bullsnakes among the largest snakes native to Canada and the United States, although they are generally not as long as indigo snakes nor as heavy or as large in diameter as rattlesnakes. Map illustrating the index of area of occupancy (IAO) of the Bullsnake in Saskatchewan, showing 2 by 2 kilometre grid squares used to generate IAO. Rob has written COSEWIC reports and recovery strategies for several snakes. In national parks, the species is protected under the Canada National Parks Act. March 2016). Seven threat categories were identified as having negligible overall impacts on the Canadian population at present, but they could be locally important or could become more important in the future. Montana Field Guide. However, it should be noted that the bullsnake is not imitating a rattlesnake, rather, they are using a defensive display that works and helps them survive. Wright, J.D. Increased grazing intensity and poorer range management could potentially be a problem in Alberta. A scale count is required to distinguish juvenile bullsnakes from other juvenile gopher snakes. It also needs to be escape-proof. They usually have moist skin, lack scales or claws, and are ectothermal (cold-blooded), so they do not produce their own body heat the way birds and mammals do. Canadian Wildlife Service Adult males are generally larger than females (Kapfer 2009). Poulin, R.G. The scope would be at the low end of the small range. 2016). Journal of Arid Environments 66:2741. They are mainly fossorial (burrowing); however, they often cross open land and climb trees in search of prey, which is mainly rodents but also includes birds and lizards. Extent of occurrence (outline) and index of area of occupancy (grid squares) for the Bullsnake are also shown. Negligible to no impacts on hibernacula are expected from these changes. At a landscape scale, Bullsnakes in Canada are found in short- and mixed-grass prairie, commonly in association with brushy and sandy areas and around badlands along major river valleys (Waye and Shewchuk 2002; Kissner and Nicholson 2003). M.Sc thesis, University of Regina. National Defence The configuration of habitat features around the hibernacula likely has a substantial influence on the distances moved by Bullsnakes. comm. Not applicable; population size and subpopulation structure are unknown. Additionally, there are documented occurrences within the last 15 years in Montana in areas that abut areas of occurrence in Saskatchewan (i.e., Big Muddy and Frenchman river valleys; Montana Field Guide 2016), suggesting that immigration from the United States may be possible. 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