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Shop gopher snakes, bullsnakes and pine snakes for sale from breeders and keepers. These bold Pituophis colubrids are known for their size, strong feeding and dramatic hissing displays.
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Gopher snakes, bullsnakes and pine snakes are large, powerful North American colubrids famous for their loud hiss and bold defensive displays. Behind the bluster, many settle into calm, hardy captives with healthy appetites. This guide explains the species, their size and care, and how to choose one.
All three belong to the genus Pituophis, which ranges from southern Canada through much of the United States into northern Mexico. Gopher snakes and bullsnakes are found mostly across the western and central regions, while pine snakes, including the northern, Florida and black pine snakes, live in the sandy pinelands of the eastern and southeastern United States.
They are strong burrowers with a pointed snout, and many are skilled at raiding rodent burrows. In the wild they eat rodents, other small mammals, birds and eggs.
Pituophis typically grow to about 4 to 8 feet, depending on the species and subspecies. Bullsnakes and some pine snakes are among the larger forms, while certain gopher snake subspecies stay at the smaller end of the range.
They commonly live 15 to 20 years in captivity. With a lifespan that long, it helps to keep good records; many keepers use Husbandry.Pro to log meals, sheds, weights and breeding notes.
Pituophis have a flap of tissue in front of the windpipe that vibrates when they exhale forcefully, producing a loud, rasping hiss. When startled they often inflate the body, flatten the head and vibrate the tail, which can make them look much more intimidating than they are.
This behavior is mostly bluff, and many captive-bred animals do it less as they become used to their keeper. Temperament varies from snake to snake, so ask the seller how the animal behaves.
These snakes appreciate space. A large, secure enclosure with generous floor area, deep substrate for digging, sturdy hides and a warm basking area with a cooler side covers the essentials. Humidity is usually kept low to moderate, with a water bowl and a humid hide around sheds.
They are typically strong feeders on mice and rats sized to their girth. Because they are such keen diggers, expect a gopher or pine snake to rearrange its enclosure regularly, and anchor heavy decor so it cannot shift onto the snake. The ReptileAds gopher and pine snake care guide has more detail on enclosure size and temperature ranges.
Decide which subspecies or morph appeals to you, then compare listings for hatch dates, photos and feeding notes. Keepers commonly look for albino and hypomelanistic bullsnakes, white-sided bullsnakes and black pine snakes, among others.
Ask the seller about the parents' size, how the snake handles and how shipping or pickup works, and read their profile and reviews on ReptileAds. Some Pituophis, such as the Louisiana pine snake, are protected, and rules for native snakes vary by state, so check your local regulations first.
AI-assisted guide reviewed by the ReptileAds team. General information about these animals — not care, veterinary or legal advice, and not a description of any individual listing above.
This category covers the genus Pituophis, including gopher snakes, bullsnakes and pine snakes from across North America. Keepers often seek out northern, Florida and black pine snakes, along with bullsnake and gopher snake morphs such as albino, hypomelanistic and white-sided animals.
These snakes vary in adult size by subspecies, so check which one a listing describes and ask the seller about the parents' size. Feeding history and how the snake reacts to handling are useful to know too.
Several Pituophis are protected in parts of their range, so confirm your local rules before buying. For related colubrids, browse Rat Snakes and Kingsnakes, or save a Hit List alert for new Pituophis listings.
ReptileAds brings Pituophis breeders and keepers together so you can compare subspecies and morphs easily.
See gopher snakes, bullsnakes and pine snakes side by side and ask sellers about their lines.
Use built-in chat to ask about parent size, feeding and temperament before you buy.
Set a Hit List alert for a subspecies or morph and hear when a match is listed.
Pituophis are strong, active snakes that like to dig, and a roomy setup suits them.
See the ReptileAds gopher and pine snake care guide for details.
A few questions help you pick the right Pituophis.
