Bull snakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi) are non-venomous constrictors native to North America, primarily known for preying on small mammals like rodents, as well as birds, eggs, and occasionally amphibians or lizards. While they are sometimes rumored to eat rattlesnakes—venomous pit vipers like those in the genus Crotalus—this is a persistent myth with little scientific backing.
A study examining the stomach contents of 1,000 bull snakes found only two instances of rattlesnake remains, indicating that such predation is extremely rare. Researchers who study both species report "next to nothing" in the literature to support bull snakes regularly consuming rattlesnakes, as bull snakes prefer warm-blooded prey. In the rare cases documented, it's unclear if the rattlesnake was killed and eaten alive or simply scavenged after death.
Bull snakes do not significantly impact rattlesnake populations through predation; instead, they may compete for the same rodent prey. True predators of rattlesnakes include kingsnakes (which are immune to rattlesnake venom and actively hunt them) and certain birds of prey. Bull snakes are harmless to humans and beneficial for controlling rodents, so they should not be killed if encountered.
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