Bull Snake "the Yellow Gopher"

Pituophis sayi, (Schlegel)

Colouration: Ground-colour, rich orange-yellow or reddish-yellow, with a row of large, square blotches of dark, reddish-brown (or black) on the back, and a series of smaller blotches, of a lighter shade, along the side.
Dimensions: Attaining a length of nine feet and a circumference of six inches, this serpent represents the largest species of North American snake. Following are the dimensions of a moderate-sized adult:
Distribution: Widely distributed, the Bull Snake ranges from southwestern Canada southward into Mexico. It occurs as far eastward as the prairie portions of Illinois and is particularly abundant in Texas. It takes the place in the Central and Western States of the Eastern representative of the genus P. melanoleucus, and in the extreme West gives way to another species, P. catenifer. The range in the United States may be concisely defined as the area between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.
Habits: This big, yellow serpent is a familiar reptile among showmen. Owing to the large size and striking colours, large numbers are shipped every spring to the Eastern cities, where they are sold to figure in sensational exhibitions. The majority of such specimens come from Texas.

Very large in size, and rather stout in form. The snout is pointed like the preceding species, but the head is larger in proportion to the reptile's size.

When the body is distended, the skin will be seen to match the colour of the scales--namely yellow, between the yellow scales, and reddish between the scales comprising the blotches.

The head is dark yellow, with a brown or black band across the top in front of the eyes. Another band extends from the eye to the angle of the mouth, while there is usually a dark bar directly beneath the eye. The lip plates are bordered with black. With this species the abdomen is yellow, with a row of black blotches on each side.

Variation.--The species is subject to but slight variation of colour. Many specimens, however, show narrow, brick-red borders on the scales composing the blotches, while the skin between the scales is of the same colour. The young are much like the parent. A variety, or sub-species, has been recognised. Its description follows that of the typical form.

Total Length . . . . . 57 1/2 inches.

Length of Tail . . . . . 7 3/4 inches.

Diameter of Body . . . . . 1 1/4 inches.

Width of Head . . . . . 1 inches.

Length of Head . . . . . 1 5/8 inches.

The species is fairly hardy as a captive, feeding upon rats, rabbits and birds. It is particularly fond of eggs, and consumes them entire, breaking the shell in the throat by a contraction of the muscles. The writer witnessed an illustration of the voracity of one of these creatures. It swallowed fourteen hen's eggs, breaking the shell of each after the egg had passed about a foot down the throat. The demonstration closed by the supply of eggs becoming exhausted and not from any indifference on the reptile's part.

The Bull Snake is oviparous and its eggs rival those of a hen in size. They are yellowish-white, with a tough, leathery shell.