Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: BULLSNAKE

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: REPTILIA

Order: SQUAMATA

Family: COLUBRIDAE

Genus: PITUOPHIS

Species: CATENIFER

SubSpecies: SAYI

Taxonomic Authority: (SCHLEGEL)

Taxonomy References: 006 , 014 , 019

Status

NONGAME

Status References: 011

Habitat Summary

"Prefer grassland habitats. Also found in old fields, savanna, forest edge, and along some river bluffs."

Primary Habitat: "Grassland - native prairie"

References: 003 , 004 , 009

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Statewide except southeastern Missouri. Not common except in some areas along the western border *07*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
ANDREW ADAIR BOLLINGER
ATCHISON AUDRAIN BUTLER
BARRY BENTON CAPE GIRARDEAU
BARTON CALDWELL CARTER
BATES CALLAWAY DUNKLIN
BOONE CAMDEN HOWELL
BUCHANAN CARROLL JEFFERSON
CASS CEDAR MADISON
CLARK CHARITON MISSISSIPPI
DADE CHRISTIAN NEW MADRID
GENTRY CLAY OREGON
GREENE CLINTON OZARK
HARRISON COLE PEMISCOT
HENRY COOPER PERRY
HOLT CRAWFORD RIPLEY
JACKSON DALLAS SCOTT
JASPER DAVIESS ST. FRANCOIS
JOHNSON DEKALB STE. GENEVIEVE
LAFAYETTE DENT STODDARD
LAWRENCE DOUGLAS WASHINGTON
NODAWAY FRANKLIN WAYNE
PETTIS GASCONADE
PHELPS GRUNDY
POLK HICKORY
RAY HOWARD
REYNOLDS IRON
ST. CHARLES KNOX
ST. CLAIR LACLEDE
ST. LOUIS LEWIS
STONE LINCOLN
TANEY LINN
VERNON LIVINGSTON
WRIGHT MACON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEWTON
OSAGE
PIKE
PLATTE
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SHANNON
SHELBY
SULLIVAN
TEXAS
WARREN
WEBSTER
WORTH

References for distribution: 021 , 022 , 007 , 013 , 015 , 016 , 017 , 018 , 020

Distribution by Watersheds

Des Moines R.
Wyaconda R.
Cuivre R.
Dardenne Creek
Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Mo. R. from Iowa Border to Nishnabotna R.
Nishnabotna R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Nodaway R.
Mo.R. from Nodaway to Kansas City
Platte R.
One Hundred and Two R.
Northwest Corner of Jackson County
Grand R. from Headwaters to Shoal Creek
Thompson R.
Marais Des Cygnes from Headwaters to Little Osage R.
Little Osage R.
Marmaton R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
South Grand R.
Gasconade R. from Headwaters to Big Piney R.
Big Piney R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Lamine R.
Blackwater R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.
White R. above Tablerock Dam
James R.
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
Black R.
Spring R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Osage Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest
ALL

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations:

Habitat Types:

Cereal Grain
Perennial Grass (Warm season)
Shrub-Grass

References for Habitat Types: 001 , 003 , 008

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Prairie
Dry Prairie
Dry-Mesic Prairie
Mesic Prairie
Wet-Mesic Prairie
Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Dry-Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Chert Prairie
Dry Chert Prairie
Dry-Mesic Chert Prairie
Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Dry Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Dry-Mesic Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Hardpan Prairie
Primary
Cliff
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Cliff
Moist Limestone/Dolomite Cliff
Dry Sandstone Cliff
Moist Sandstone Cliff
Dry Chert Cliff
Moist Chert Cliff
Dry Igneous Cliff
Moist Igneous Cliff

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 001 , 003 , 004 , 007 , 008 , 012

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Birds; Egg stage
Anseriformes (swans, geese, and ducks); Egg stage
Mammals; Not Specified
Leporidae (rabbits); Not Specified
Sciuridae (squirrels, chipmunks, prairie dogs); Not Specified
Geomyidae (pocket gophers); Not Specified
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Not Specified
Birds; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 001 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 007

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements:

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Soil type: sandy soil
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: climax grassland
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)
Stumps specified in comments(00720)

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 013

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Edge: woodland/crop field edge
Edge: woodland/old field edge
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Edge: crop fields/grassland edge
Edge: grassland/old field edge
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: subclimax grassland
Successional stage: climax grassland
Snags
Downed logs
Agricultural crops
Human association: barns/sheds
Stumps

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 003 , 004 , 007 , 012

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Edge: woodland/crop field edge
Edge: woodland/old field edge
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Edge: crop fields/grassland edge
Edge: grassland/old field edge
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: subclimax grassland
Successional stage: climax grassland
Snags
Downed logs
Agricultural crops
Human association: barns/sheds
Stumps

References for resting adult niche requirements: 001 , 003 , 004 , 007 , 012 , 013

Niche Requirement Summary

Agricultural crops
Downed logs
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)
Edge: crop fields/grassland edge
Edge: grassland/old field edge
Edge: woodland/crop field edge
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Edge: woodland/old field edge
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Human association: barns/sheds
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Natural features: rock shelters or crevices
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Snags
Soil type: sandy soil
Stumps
Stumps specified in comments(00720)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: climax grassland
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: subclimax grassland

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
099 Is economically beneficial, because it consumes large quantities of rodents *01*
005 Also burrow after prey *04,03,02*.
007 Mate during April and May *01*.
011 Lay their eggs in soft earth beneath large rocks or logs *01*.
017 Gestation period is eight weeks *03,05*.
018 Clutch size is 5-24 *01,03,05,12*.

Life History Information

Periodicity: active in day
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: stalking
Foraging sites: ground
Foraging sites: herbaceous vegetation
Foraging sites: snags
Foraging sites: stumps
Foraging sites: branches of tree
Foraging sites: trunk of tree
Foraging sites: rocks
Foraging sites: logs
Foraging sites specified in comments(005)
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Nest/den site specified in comments(011)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
099 Is economically beneficial, because it consumes large quantities of rodents *01*
005 Also burrow after prey *04,03,02*.
007 Mate during April and May *01*.
011 Lay their eggs in soft earth beneath large rocks or logs *01*.
017 Gestation period is eight weeks *03,05*.
018 Clutch size is 5-24 *01,03,05,12*.

References for life history: 001 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 009 , 012

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Shrub/brush - maintain natural vegetation (native)
Shrub/brush - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Grassland - maintain natural vegetation (native)
Grassland - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)

Beneficial Management References: 009

Adverse Managment Practices:

Grassland - other (specify in comments)
Shrub/brush - other (specify in comments)

Adverse Management References: 009

Comments on Management:
Plowing native prairie is adverse *09*.

References for Management Comments:

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Collins, J.T. 1982. Amphibians and Reptiles In Kansas. Univ. Of Kansas Publications. Museum Of Natural History. Lawrence, Ks. 283 Pp
002 Hisaw, Frederick L. and Howard K. Gloyd. 1926. The Bull Snake As A Natural Enemy Of Injurious Rodents. Journ. Of Mammalogy 7(3):200-205
003 Smith, Hobart M. 1956. Handbook Of Amphibians and Reptiles Of Kansas (2nd Ed.) Univ. Kansas. Museum Of Natural History and State Biological Survey. Miscellaneous Publication No. 9. 356 Pp.
004 Smith, Philip W. 1961. The Amphibians and Reptiles Of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin. Vol. 28, Art. 1. 298 Pp.
005 Lueth, Francis X. 1941. Manual Of Illinois Snakes. State Of Illinois Dept. Conservation. Springfield, Il. 48 Pp.
006 Unpb Mo. Dept. Conservation. Checklist Of Mo. Amphibians and Reptiles P.O. Box 180. Jeff. City, Mo 65102.
007 Anderson, P. 1965. The Reptiles Of Missouri. Univ. Missouri Press, Columbia, Mo. 330pp.
008 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
009 Unpb Johnson, Tom. Mo. Dept. Conservation. P.O. Box 180. Jeff. City Mo. 65102 (573)751-4115.
010 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
011 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
012 Wright, A.H. and A.A. Wright. 1970. Handbook Of Snakes Of The U.S. and Canada. Comstock Publishing Associates. Cornell Univ. Press. Ithaca, Ny. 1105 Pp.
013 Johnson, T.R. 2000. The Amphibians And Reptiles Of Missouri, 2nd. Ed. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 400 Pp.
014 Conant, R. and J.T. Collins. 1991. Peterson's Field Guide To Reptiles And Amphibians Of Eastern and Central North America. 450 Pp.
015 Powell, R., T.R. Johnson and D.D. Smith. 1992. New Records Of Amphibians And Reptiles In Missouri For 1992. Missouri Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 5:6-13
016 Daniel, R.E., B.S. Edmond and T.R. Johnson. 1998. New And Previously Unreported Records Of Amphibians And Reptiles In Missouri For 1998. Mo Herpetol. Assoc. Newsletter 11:8-17.
017 Daniel, R.E., B.S. Edmond and T.R. Johnson. 1999. New And Previously Unreported Records Of Amphibians And Reptiles In Missouri For 1999. Mo Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 12:10-18.
018 Unpb Staples, M. 1997 Collector's Permit Report. Missouri Dept. of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. 573-751-4115.
019 Crother, B.I. (Ed.). 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding (6th ed.). Society for the study of amphibians and reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 37.
020 Daniel, R.E. and B.S. Edmond. 2002. Revised county distribution maps of amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 15:16-38.
021 Briggler, Jeffrey T. and Richard E. Daniel. 2020. Addendum: previously unreported county records from the Northwest Missouri State University Herpetology Collection. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 33:12-14.
022 Daniel, Richard E., Brian S. Edmond and Jeffrey T. Briggler. 2020. New and previously unreported herpetological distribution records for Missouri in 2020. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 33:3-11.