Mexican bullsnake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mexican bullsnake |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pituophis
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| Species: |
deppei
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| Synonyms | |
The Mexican bullsnake, also known as the Mexican pine snake, is a type of snake called Pituophis deppei. It is a non-venomous snake, meaning it is not poisonous. This snake is special because it lives only in Mexico. Scientists have found two different kinds, or subspecies, of this snake.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The scientific name deppei was given to honor a German artist named Ferdinand Deppe. He was a collector of natural history items in Mexico.
One of the subspecies is named jani. This name honors an Italian scientist who studied reptiles, Giorgio Jan.
Where Does the Mexican Bullsnake Live?
The Mexican bullsnake lives in many parts of Mexico. You can find it in states like Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Tamaulipas.
What Kind of Places Does It Like?
This snake prefers to live in natural areas like forests, shrublands (areas with lots of bushes), and grasslands. However, it is also quite adaptable. You might even find it in places where people live, such as farms, suburban neighborhoods, and even cities.
What Does the Mexican Bullsnake Look Like?
The Mexican bullsnake has a yellowish-tan color on its back. It has a pattern of large, square-shaped blotches that are dark brown or black. Along its sides, it has smaller dark spots. The underside of the snake is yellowish with brown, square-like spots.
Adult Mexican bullsnakes can grow to be quite long. They can reach a total length of about 1.69 meters (which is about 5.5 feet). Their tail alone can be around 18 centimeters (about 7 inches) long!
Reproduction
The Mexican bullsnake reproduces by laying eggs. This means it is an oviparous animal.
Types of Mexican Bullsnakes
There are two main types, or subspecies, of the Mexican bullsnake. They are both considered valid by scientists.
- Pituophis deppei deppei (A.M.C. Duméril, 1853) – This one is called the southern Mexican pine snake.
- Pituophis deppei jani (Cope, 1861) – This one is known as the northern Mexican pine snake.
When you see a scientific name like Pituophis deppei deppei followed by a name in parentheses, it means that the subspecies was first described under a different scientific group (genus) than Pituophis.
