Hawks Aloft, Inc.
Conservation, Avian Research, and Education
PO Box 10028 - Albuquerque, NM 87184 - (505) 828-9455

 

Bullsnake (Gopher Snake)

This non-venomous yellow and black snake is a common resident of the short-grass prairies.  Without them, small mammals, such as the prairie dog and the ferret, might over-run the prairie, and eat all the vegetation.  Bullsnakes use mimicry to make themselves look like venomous rattlesnakes when threatened.  Unfortunately, many people will fall for this mimicry and kill the beneficial bullsnake.