bullsnake range map
These defensive behaviours increase the likelihood of negative interactions with humans and vehicles. Alberta. At sites where communal hibernacula are in close proximity to roads, the majority of individuals from these hibernacula are likely to cross one or several roads during the course of the active season as documented by Gardiner et al. Probability of extinction in the wild is at least [20% within 20 years or 5 generations, or 10% within 100 years]. The bullsnake was once considered Iowas most COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Rob Willson for writing the the status report on Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) in Canada, prepared under contract with Environment and Climate Change Canada. This category scored invasive plants that alter habitat. It commonly vibrates its tail rapidly in brush or leaves, and flattens its head to resemble the characteristic triangular shape of the rattlesnake. 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. The species is especially vulnerable to increased mortality because of its low abundance, late maturity, and low rate of productivity. WebThe bullsnake, also known as the gopher snake, is one of the most widespread snakes in Colorado. 
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) was created in 1977 as a result of a recommendation at the Federal-Provincial Wildlife Conference held in 1976. Habitat use by bullsnakes at their northern range limit in Saskatchewan: varying space requirements among populations. Their typical coloration is yellowish brown or cream-coloured, with dark blotches. Most common along the western grassland areas of the state, with scattered locations throughout the Ozarks and northern Missouri. 
Biodiversity/Species observation database. Webstream [7][8][9][10] 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 o Protection within provincial parks in Alberta is afforded via the Provincial Parks Act and in Saskatchewan through the Parks Act (see Habitat Protection and Ownership for the parks where the species occurs). 2011. Bullsnakes range in North America extends from Alberta and Saskatchewan in the north, through central United States to northeastern Mexico in the south. Most secondary roads in the grasslands have low traffic volumes. Is there an [observed, inferred, or projected] decline in Number of locations. WebBull Snake Size Length: 37 to 72 inches. The ventral scales are yellow or yellow-white with brown to black spots (Waye and Shewchuk 2002). Calgary, Alberta. (2007) demonstrated that continued off-road vehicle activity in an area had adverse effects on Pinesnakes (Pituophis melanoleucus). Probably not significant for the total population, but local impacts are likely in some areas. 2013. WebAdult bullsnakes average about 4 to 6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 m) in length, and specimens of up to 8 ft 4 in (2.5 m) have been recorded. Major slump event at Grasslands National Park Snake Pit in southwestern Saskatchewan. Grid squares are shown where they intersect pre-1990 records, 1990 to 2000 records, and 2001 to 2015 records. The previous COSEWIC status report (Waye and Shewchuk 2002) included three subspecies of P. catenifer: P. c. deserticola (Great Basin Gophersnake), P. c. catenifer (Pacific Gophersnake), and P. c. sayi (Bullsnake). 
Threats to the Bullsnake include road mortality, certain types of agricultural practices and overgrazing, and alteration of prairie habitat from oil and gas drilling. Local effects are likely in areas adjacent to highways and busy rural roads, but overall the severity was deemed slight. Both intra- and interspecific communal hibernacula have been documented in Canada, with Bullsnakes hibernating with Prairie Rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis), Eastern Yellow-bellied Racers (Coluber constrictor flaviventris), Plains Gartersnakes (Thamnophis radix), Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans), and occasionally with Plains Hog-nosed Snakes (Heterodon nasicus), and Red-sided Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) (Didiuk 1999; Waye and Shewchuk 2002; Kissner and Nicholson 2003; Gardiner 2012; Martino et al. See comment above. A large increase in traffic volume would adversely affect many Bullsnake subpopulations. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. In Missouri, bullsnakes may be active from April through early November. 6 (Update 2012). The human footprint on grasslands continues to increase, with a proportionally large increase within lands considered high value to biodiversity, i.e., relatively large and intact parcels of land. 2013). 2016. When bullsnakes detect live objects too big to be prey, they seem to perceive the object as a predator and take defensive action. Email correspondence to R. Willson. If approached or cornered, a bullsnake will coil, vibrate its tail, and hiss loudly with the mouth partly open. 2015). 
The trends in IAO, calculated over the past three (since 1990) and two (since 2001) generation periods, shows a decrease of 5.5% and 13.9%, respectively. There are 27 to 37 rows of keeled dorsal scales. 2012; Gardiner et al. Incidence of intentional vehicle-reptile collisions. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. Hay-land increased and natural land declined within Bullsnakes range in the grasslands and eastern parklands (Figure 3b,c; Alberta NAWMP Partnership 2008). Bullsnakes feed mostly on rodents and do not prey on rattlesnakes, which is a common misconception. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 12:137-143. Environment Canada Based on field studies and the model, Martinson (2009) concluded that the proportion of Bullsnakes and Prairie Rattlesnakes subjected to road mortality can be high even at relatively low traffic densities but noted that population effects of this threat are poorly understood and require further quantification. Small mammals, especially rodents, are the principal prey of this species. Are there extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence? Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada? Juvenile bullsnakes depend on small lizards, frogs, and baby mice. Many of the surveys conducted at hibernacula focus on confirming use rather than estimating numbers of individuals. 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. 2016. Like other large snakes, this species is affected by habitat loss and roadkill and may become Threatened if threats are not mitigated. It also adopts a rattlesnake-like "S-curve" body posture as though about to strike. The configuration of habitat features around the hibernacula likely has a substantial influence on the distances moved by Bullsnakes. (2008) estimated a density of 0.42 adult Bullsnakes/ha for a 72-ha area in the Midwest of USA, but this was based on a small sample size (n = 30 adults captured). Learn how to create your own. Threatened by traffic mortality, direct persecution, and habitat loss.. In Saskatchewan, most hibernacula have been located in unstable slump zones along the slopes of river valleys (e.g., Frenchman River Valley; Gardiner and Sonmor 2011; Martino et al. The most plausible threat for determining the number of threat-based locations for Bullsnake is road mortality. There is habitat connectivity across the international border to Montana along the many drainages of the Milk River (Didiuk pers. 1980. The threats calculator assessment resulted in a low overall threat impact (Appendix 4), indicating a 0.1 10% suspected population decline over the next 3 generation periods or 24 years from threats operating over the next 10 years. WebBullsnake (Pituophis catinefer sayi) Description The bullsnake is a heavy-bodied snake that ranges from three to five feet in length. A comparison of herpetofauna and small mammal diversity on black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies and non-colonized grasslands in Colorado. Are there extreme fluctuations in index of area of occupancy? Hibernacula within these areas most often consisted of large burrow systems that were occasionally shared with mammals such as the Mountain Cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii) (Martino et al. Criterion C (Small and Declining Number of Mature Individuals. 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