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Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake

Crotalus mitchellii
VENOMOUS

Habitat

Associated mostly with arid areas strewn with rocks and boulders – alongside buttes, mesas, and desert outcroppings, but sometimes found on loose soil. Occurs in areas vegetated by sagebrush, creosote, thornscrub, chaparral, pinon-juniper woodland, succulent desert.

Color

Shows a great variety of body coloration which usually allows the snake to blend into its environment, from off-white, yellowish, gray, tan, pinkish, pale orange, to brown. Snakes from dark lava bed environments can be almost all black.
The body is marked with a vague pattern consisting of dark speckled banded markings.

Size

Adults are 23-52 inches in length (58-132 cm) averaging 2 – 3.5 feet.

Age

10 – 15 years

Diet

Eats small mammals, lizards, and birds.

Description

It displays a wide range of body colors, from off-white, yellowish, gray, tan, pinkish, and pale orange, to brown, which typically allows the snake to blend into its surroundings. A hazy pattern of dark-speckled and banded markings covers the body. Snakes from lava beds in the dark can be almost entirely black.

Sidewinder Rattlesnake

Crotalus cerastes
VENOMOUS

Habitat

desert regions

Color

The color pattern consists of a ground color that may be cream, buff, yellowish-brown, pink, or ash gray, overlaid with 28–47 dorsal blotches subrhombic or subelliptical in shape

Size

Most adults are 50–80 cm (19.5–31.5 in) in length

Age

13 years

Diet

Juveniles use their tails to attract lizard prey, a behavior termed “caudal luring”. Adults lose this behavior as they make the transition from lizard prey to their primary diet of desert rodents, birds, and other snake

Description

Adults of this diminutive species range in length from 43 to 76 cm (17 to 30 in). The average adult is 50–80 cm (19.5–31.5 in) long. Unusual for this group of snakes, the females are larger than the males.

Panamint Rattlesnake

Crotalus stephensi
VENOMOUS

Habitat

Associated mostly with habitats composed of rocky outcrops and boulders, but also found in creosote bush and cactus deserts and open coniferous woodlands.

Color

Shows a great variety of body coloration which usually allows the snake to blend into its environment – tan, yellowish, orangish, gray, off-white, brown.
The body is marked with a pattern consisting of dark speckled banded markings, which can be vague or distinct.
A dark band or bands on the tail, but not usually alternating with light bands.
The ground color of the tail is generally the same as the body color, not contrasting sharply with it.
The last dark tail bands often seem to fuse together into one large black band just before the rattle”

Age

10 – 25 years

Diet

Eats small mammals, lizards, and birds.

Heat sensing pits on the sides of the head help the snake to locate prey by their warmth.
Long, hollow, movable fangs connected to venom glands inject a very toxic venom which quickly immobilize prey.
The snake can control the amount of venom injected and the fangs are replaced if broken.

An ambush hunter, it may wait near lizard or rodent trails, striking at and releasing passing prey. The snake then follows the trail of the envenomated animal and swallows it whole. Prey is also found while the snake is actively moving.

Description

A long, heavy-bodied, venomous snake with a thin neck, a broad, triangular head, and a rattle made of loose, interlocking hollow segments at the end of the tail. Every time the skin sheds, which can happen more than once yearly, a new rattle segment is added.

Southern Pacific Rattlesnake​

Crotalus oreganus helleri
VENOMOUS

Habitat

Found in a wide range of habitats from seaside dunes, to desert scrub, grassy plains, rocky hillsides, chaparral, open woodlands, and agricultural areas.

Color

Pale brown, gray-brown, or yellowish brown ground color overlaid with a series of large, dark brown dorsal blotches that may or may not have pale centers

Size

Adults 30 – 44 inches long, sometimes up to 54 inches.

Age

20 years

Diet

Eats birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, insects, and small mammals, including mice, rats, rabbits, hares, and ground squirrels. (Adult California Ground Squirrels are immune to rattlesnake venom and will intensely confront any snake they feel to be a threat.)

Description

The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, which can live up to 20 years, is venomous and consumes small animals such as mice, rats, rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, and insects. Mature California Ground Squirrels are immune to the venom of rattlesnakes and will aggressively engage any snake they perceive as a threat.

Western Diamond Rattlesnake​

Crotalus atrox
VENOMOUS

Habitat

In California inhabits only desert areas in the southern Mohave Desert and throughout most of the Sonoran Desert in California. May also be found in areas in the desert modified by urban development or agriculture.

The species throughout its range inhabits arid and semiarid areas including plains and mountains, woodlands and pine forests, deserts, canyons and rocky vegetated foothills.

Color The color pattern generally consists of a dusty-looking gray-brown ground color, but it may also be pinkish-brown, brick red, yellowish, pinkish, or chalky white
Size Adults grow to 30-90 inches (76-229 cm)

Age

20 years

Diet Eats small mammals, birds, and lizards. Juveniles sometimes eat large insects and frogs.

Description

The predominant color of the pattern is typically a dusty-appearing gray-brown, but it can also be pinkish-brown, brick red, yellowish, pinkish, or chalky white.

Red Diamond Rattlesnake​

Crotalus ruber
VENOMOUS
Habitat Inhabits arid scrub, coastal chaparral, oak and pine woodlands, rocky grassland, cultivated areas. On the desert slopes of the mountains, it ranges into rocky desert flats.
Color Variable in ground color; pink, reddish-tan, reddish-brown or brick red. Diamond-shaped blotches, usually with light edges, mark the back. The underside is usually dull yellow and unmarked.
Size Adults are 30 – 65 inches in length ( 76 – 165 cm) typically 2 – 4.5 feet long.

Age

15 or 16 years

Diet Eats small mammals, including ground squirrels, wood rats, and rabbits, lizards, and birds.

Description

Adults usually are 2 to 4.5 feet long and range from 30 to 65 inches (76 to 165 cm). Pink, reddish-tan, reddish-brown, or brick red are all possible ground colors.

The back is marked by diamond-shaped blotches that typically have light edges.

Mojave Rattlesnake

Crotalus scutulatus
VENOMOUS
Habitat Primarily a snake of high desert or lower mountain slopes, it is often found near scrub brush such as sage, mesquite and creosote, but may also reside in lowland areas of sparse vegetation, among cacti, Joshua tree forests, or grassy plains.
Color Their color varies from shades of brown to pale green
Size 2-4 feet in length

Age

24 years

Diet This rattlesnake feeds primarily on small mammals (mice, rats, rabbits, gophers), but will eat lizards and amphibians as well.

Description

The most venomous snake in the State with a lifespan of 24 years. This rattlesnake prefers to eat small mammals, including mice, rats, rabbits, and gophers, although it will also consume lizards and amphibians. Although it is primarily a snake of the high desert or lower mountain slopes, it can also live in lowland areas with sparse vegetation, such as areas with cacti, Joshua tree forests, or grassy plains. It is frequently found near scrub brushes like sage, mesquite, and creosote.

Pacific Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat Prefers moist habitats, including wet meadows, rocky hillsides, gardens, farmland, grassland, chaparral, mixed coniferous forests, woodlands.
Color Gray, blue-gray, blackish, or dark olive dorsal coloring, with a bright orange to reddish underside, speckled with black markings. The underside of the tail is a bright reddish orange.
Size 11 – 16 inches (28 – 42 cm.)

Age

10 years

Diet Eats slender salamanders and other small salamanders, tadpoles, small frogs, small snakes, lizards, worms, slugs, and insects. The mild venom may help to incapacitate prey.

Description

The morphology of ring-necked snakes is constant mainly throughout most of their distribution.

Its consistent dorsal color of olive, brown, bluish-gray, or smokey black is only interrupted by a pronounced yellow, red, or yellow-orange neckband. The unique neckband is absent in a small number of individuals in New Mexico, Utah, and other noteworthy regions. Moreover, individuals could have difficult-to-identify neck bands that are reduced in hue or only partially colored; pigmentation might also be more cream-colored than brilliant orange or red.

Rosy Boa

Lichanura orcutti
NON-VENOMOUS

Habitat

Inhabits arid scrublands, semi-arid shrublands, rocky shrublands, rocky deserts, canyons, and other rocky areas.
Appears to be common in riparian areas, but does not require permanent water.

Color Three poorly-defined irregular dark stripes, brown, reddish-brown, orange or rust in color, running lengthwise on the back and sides with a gray, olive-gray, bluish-gray or brownish ground color inbetween.
Size Adults 17 – 44 inches long (43 – 112 cm) but generally under 36 inches.

Age

18 to 22 years

Diet Eats rodents, small birds, lizards, small snakes, and amphibians. Kills prey by constriction.
Description The desert rose boa, regarded as a little snake, typically grows to a total length of 43–112 cm (including the tail) (17–44 in). [4] Subspecies affect length precisely. One of the more diminutive members of the Boidae family is the desert rose boa. [5] A vast adult has a body breadth comparable to a golf ball in circumference. The desert rose boa’s coloring varies greatly and is frequently region-specific. Most rosy boa specimens lack this ventral color in favor of a pattern of dark to orange patches on a light-colored background. At the same time, some individuals have the characteristic rose or salmon coloration on their undersides.

Patch-nosed Snake

Salvadora hexalepis hexalepis
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat inhabits arid deserts in its area
Color yellowish with blackish lateral stripes in various arrangements.
Size 20-46 inches (51–117 cm)

Age

14 years

Diet It feeds upon lizards, snakes, reptile eggs, and small rodents.
Description A swift, thin, striped snake of average size with smooth scales, big eyes, and an expanded rostral (the scale over the tip of the snout.) Just the sixth of the nine top labial scales generally reaches the eye. They variously arranged lateral stripes that are yellow with a blackish tint. It has a length of 20–46 inches (51–117 cm), can live up to 14 years, and eats tiny rodents, lizards, snakes, and their eggs. Inhabits the deserts in California.

Mountain Kingsnake​

Lampropeltis zonata
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat Most California Mountain Kingsnakes live in the mountains of California. They | can adapt to a wide variety of habitats, including coniferous forests, oak-pine : woodlands, riparian woodlands, chaparrals, and coastal sage scrubs.

Color

Black, red, and white bands

Size The California mountain kingsnake is a medium-sized snake (1.5 to 3 feet in length)

Age

Up to 20 years

Diet They are very opportunistic. They will eat other snakes (ophiophagy), lizards, | salamanders, rodents, birds, and eggs
Description It is a non-venomous snake that lives up to 20 years. It consumes lizards, small animals, fledging birds, bird eggs, amphibians, and sporadically other snakes, even other members of its species. The Coast Mountain Kingsnake is a habitat generalist found in various environments, including chaparral, manzanita, oak-pine woodlands, coniferous forests, riparian woodlands, and coastal sage scrub. This snake can be found in wooded areas close to streams that have exposed rotting logs, talus, or rock outcrops.

Gopher Snake​

Pituophis catenifer annectens
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat Found in a variety of habitats – grassland, coastal sage scrub, agricultural lands, riparian areas, woodlands, and desert, from sea level to the mountains. Especially common in coastal areas

Color

Ground color is tan, light brown or yellowish, with large brown or blackish rounded blotches along the back and smaller markings on the sides.
The dorsal blotches can fuse together producing a very dark color.
The underside is cream to yellow with dark spots.
The back of the neck is often a dull orange.
There is usually a dark stripe across the head in front of the eyes and a dark stripe from behind each eye to the angle of the jaw.
Juveniles tend to have a darker and more compact pattern than adults.

Size Most adults of this subspecies, Pituophis catenifer annectens, are 4 – 5 ft. long (122 -152 cm.)

Age

12 – 15 years

Diet Eats mostly small mammals, especially pocket gophers, moles, rabbits, and mice, along with birds and their eggs and nestlings. Occasionally eats lizards and insects

Description

With large, rounded brown or blackish blotches along the back and more minor markings on the sides, the ground color is tan, light brown, or yellowish.
The dorsal blotches can fuse, producing a very dark color.
With dark markings, the underside is cream to yellow.
Often, the back of the neck is a dull orange color.
Typically, a black stripe crosses the head in front of the eyes to the angle of the jaw.
Compared to adults, juveniles typically have a darker and more compact pattern.
Most Pituophis catenifer annectens adults measure between 4 and 5 feet in length (122 -152 cm.)
A 12- to 15-year lifespan for a huge snake with highly keeled scales, a small head that is somewhat wider than the neck, a projecting, bluntly rounded rostral scale on the tip of the snout and heavy keel scales.
It mostly consumes small mammals, particularly mice, moles, pocket gophers and rabbits, as well as birds’ eggs and young nestlings. Occasionally consumes insects and lizards.
It is located from sea level to the mountains in various habitats, including grassland, coastal sage scrub, agricultural lands, riparian areas, woodlands, and deserts. It is very prevalent around the shore.

Southwestern Threadsnake​

Rena humilis humilis
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat Inhabits areas where the soil is suitable for burrowing: brushy mountain slopes, deserts, rocky hillsides, washes near streams, beach sand.
Color Coloring is brown, purple, or pink. This snake can be mistaken for a large worm
Size Adults 7 – 16 inches long (18-41 cm). Hatchlings are around 4 – 5 inches long (10 – 12.7 cm).

Age

7 years

Diet Eats ants and termites and their larvae and pupae, and occasionally other small insects. When hunting for food, burrows under roots, rocks, and into ants nests. Slender body allows them to forage in their ant and termite prey’s burrow systems.
Description Due to its brown, purple, or pink coloring, this non-venomous snake is sometimes mistaken for a giant worm. It has a blunt head and tail that are topped with a little spine and shiny and cycloid scales and can grow to be as long as 7 inches (18 cm) in length in adults and as short as 5 inches (12.7 cm) in hatchlings. Behind transparent plates, eyes are black patches that are not functional. Its lower jaw is countersunk, and its belly plates are not expanded. The southwestern Threadsnake has a lifespan of 7 years and feeds on termites, ants, and the larvae and pupae of these insects, as well as occasionally other small insects and burrows into ant nests under rocks and roots to get food. Their slim bodies enable them to forage inside the underground networks of their ant and termite prey. It inhabits locations where the soil is ideal for burrowing: brushy mountain slopes, deserts, rocky hillsides, washes near streams, and beach sand.

Two-Striped Garter Snake​

Thamnophis hammondii
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat Among the most aquatic of the gartersnakes. Generally found near water sources – pools, creeks, cattle tanks, and others, often in rocky areas. Associated vegetation: oak woodland, willow, coastal sage scrub, scrub oak, sparse pine, chaparral, and brushland.
Color “Appearance is variable – there are two basic pattern morphs – striped, and spotted. Both have a drab olive, brown, or dark gray ground color, with no dorsal stripe, except for a partial stripe on the neck.”
Size 24 – 40 inches long (61 – 102 cm). Most often 18 – 30 inches long (46 – 76 cm)

Age

7 to 10 years

Diet Eats fish, fish eggs, tadpoles, newt larvae, small frogs and toads, leeches, and earthworms.
Description Humans cannot be harmed by mild venom. Two essential pattern morphs, spotted and striped, vary in appearance. Both have a dull ground color of olive, brown, or dark gray, with no dorsal stripe other than a thin stripe on the neck. It can reach a maximum length of 24 inches (61 cm) but most commonly grows to 18 to 30 inches (46 – 76 cm). It has a seven to ten-year lifespan. Fish, fish eggs, tadpoles, newt larvae, tiny frogs and toads, leeches, and earthworms are some of its favorite foods. Among the garter snakes that prefer water. Usually found in rocky areas close to water sources, such as pools, creeks, cattle tanks, and others. Associated vegetation: oak woodland, willow, coastal sage scrub, scrub oak, sparse pine, chaparral, and brushland.

Blind Snake

Rena humilis
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat Rena humilis lives underground, sometimes as deep as 20 metres (66 ft), and is known to invade ant and termite nests.
Color Brown Purple Silver Pink
Size 10-12 inches long

Age

4 years

Diet Its diet is made up mostly of insects and their larvae and eggs. It is found in deserts and scrub where the soil is loose enough to work.

Description

10–12 inches long with a four-year lifespan

Insects, their larvae, and their eggs comprise most of their diet. It can be found in scrub and deserts where the soil is sufficiently loose for digging.

Like most species in the family Leptotyphlopidae, it resembles a long earthworm and spends its life underground in burrows that can reach depths of 20 meters (66 feet). It is also known to invade ant and termite nests. Its essentially rudimentary eyes serve no purpose for seeing. It has light-detecting black eyespots and is shiny, wormlike, cylindrical, blunt at both ends, and pink, purple, or silvery-brown in color. The tail has a spine at the end that it uses for burrowing, and the skull is thick to allow for this. It is fluorescent under low-frequency UV lights.

Spotted Leaf-Nosed Snake​

Phyllorhynchus decurtatus
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat Sandy or gravelly deserts – open flats, washes, alluvial fans, foothills. Creosote bush is typically present. From below sea level in the Imperial Valley to about 4,000 ft. (1,200 m)
Color “The ground color is pale tan, pink, or greyish with brown blotches on the back from the back of the head to the tail. The underside is white and unmarked.”
Size 12 – 20 inches long (30 – 51 cm.)

Age

3 years

Diet Small lizards, especially banded geckos, and lizard eggs.
Description A small, pale snake with smooth scales, a short snout, and dark markings. The name of this snake comes from the rostral scale over the nose, which is larger and raised above the level of the other scales and resembles a leaf wrapped over the nose. Three-year lifespan and non-venomous. With brown blotches running from the back of the head to the tail, the background color is a light tan, pink, or greyish. White and unmarked, the underside is. 12-20 inches in length (30 – 51 cm.) Feeds primarily on banded geckos and the eggs of small lizards. Found in sandy or gravelly deserts with foothills, washes, open flats, and alluvial fans. There is usually creosote bush from the Imperial Valley’s sea level to about 4,000 ft. (1,200 m.)

Night Snake

Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha klauberi
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat Found in a variety of habitats, often arid areas, from chaparral, Sagebrush flats, deserts, suburban lots and gardens, mountain meadows, grassland. Most commonly found in areas with abundant surface cover.
Color Color varies, often matching the substrate, from light gray, light brown, beige, to tan or cream, with dark brown or gray blotches on the back and sides. Usually a pair of large dark blotches on the neck and a dark bar through or behind the eyes. Whitish or yellowish and unmarked underneath.
Size Adults can be 12 – 26 inches long (30-66 cm.) Most seen are 8 – 12 inches long, rarely over 16 inches.

Age

12 years

Diet Eats a wide range of terrestrial vertebrates, mostly lizards and their eggs, sometimes small snakes, frogs, and salamanders.
Description Mildly venomous but not considered to be dangerous to the majority of people or large animals. Colors range from light gray, light brown, and beige to tan or cream, frequently matching the substrate, with dark brown or gray blotches on the back and sides. Typically a dark bar runs through or behind the eyes, as well as two huge, dark spots on the neck. Unmarked and white or yellow underneath. Mature length ranges from 12 to 26 inches (30-66 cm.) The majority are 8 to 12 inches long, rarely exceeding 16 inches, and have a lifespan of up to 12 years. Consumes a variety of terrestrial vertebrate species, primarily lizards and their eggs but sometimes occasionally small snakes, frogs, and salamanders. Numerous habitats, many of which are arid, including chaparral, sagebrush flats, deserts, suburban lots and gardens, mountain meadows, and grassland, are home to this species, which are most frequently discovered in regions with lots of surface cover.

Long-nosed Snake​

Rhinocheilus lecontei
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat Arid and semi-arid deserts, grasslands, shrublands, and prairies.
Color Most snakes are red, black, and white, with a saddled pattern. The ground color is white which is usually heavily speckled with black and red from the alternating red and black saddles. The saddles do not ring the body. The underside is cream or yellow with no pattern.
Size 16 – 60 inches long (40 – 152 cm). Most snakes seen are 16- 30 inches long (40 – 76 cm).

Age

12 – 20 years

Diet Eats primarily lizards (especially whiptails), also lizard eggs, small snakes, small mammals, nestling birds, possibly bird eggs, and insects. Small prey is overpowered, large prey is killed by constriction.

Description

It has a lifespan of 12 to 20 years and is not venomous.
The long-nosed snake gets its common name from the length of its snout, which is distinctively long and slightly upturned. It is tricolored, somewhat resembling a coral snake, and has a yellow or cream-colored background with black and red saddles. The long-nosed snake can be identified by the cream-colored patches that appear within the saddles of black. Its undivided subcaudal scales set it apart from all other harmless snakes in the United States.
Most snakes have a saddled design and are red, black, and white.
White is the background color, typically richly specked with black and red by the alternating red and black saddles. The saddles do not ring the body. The underside is yellow or cream and lacks patterns.
They are 16 to 60 inches long (40 – 152 cm). Most snakes are 16 to 30 inches long (40 – 76 cm).
It mostly consumes lizards, particularly whiptails, as well as lizard eggs, tiny snakes, small mammals, young birds, potentially bird eggs, and insects. Large prey is destroyed by constriction, while little prey is overcome.
It Inhabits grasslands, shrublands, prairies, and semi-arid and arid deserts.

Rubber Boa

Charina umbratica
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat Inhabits Oak-conifer and mixed-conifer forests at elevations between roughly 5,000 to 8,200 ft. where rocks and logs or other debris provide shelter.

Color

Uniform in dorsal color – light brown, dark brown, pink, tan, or olive-green above, and yellow, orange, or cream colored below.

There is usually no pattern below, but sometimes there is dark mottling.

Size The maximum total length of males in the San Bernardino mountains is about 19.5 inches, and females about 22 inches

Age

40+ years

Diet Eats mostly small mammals, birds, and, lizards.
Description The snake is not venomous and has a lifespan of over 40 years. A tiny constrictor with a thick body, smooth scales, loose skin, and wrinkles that give the snake a rubbery appearance and feel. Small eyes with vertically elliptical pupils are present. The tail is brief, blunt, and resembles a head. Massive scales cover the top of the head. Dorsal coloration is uniform, ranging from pale brown to dark brown to pink, tan, or olive green above and yellow, orange, or cream below. There is typically no pattern underneath, but occasionally there is black mottling. Males can grow as long as 19.5 inches, and females can grow as long as 22 inches in the San Bernardino Mountains. Primarily consumes lizards, birds, and small mammals. It inhabits oak-conifer and mixed-conifer woods between 5,000 to 8,200 feet in elevation, where cover can be found in boulders, logs, or other debris.

Glossy Snake

Arizona elegans occidentalis
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat Inhabits arid scrub, rocky washes, grasslands, chaparral. Appears to prefer microhabitats of open areas and areas with soil loose enough for easy burrowing.
Color “Generally darker than other California Glossy snake subspecies – a tan or light brown ground color with dark brown blotches with dark edges on the back and sides and a pale, unmarked underside. An average of 63 narrow blotches on body.”
Size Adults are 26-70 inches in length (66-178 cm).

Age

10 – 20 years

Diet

Preys mostly on sleeping diurnal lizards, but also eats small snakes, terrestrial birds, and nocturnally-active mammals.
Hunts active mammals at night by waiting in ambush.
Kills prey by direct swallowing or constriction.

Description A short-tailed, medium-sized, muscular snake with smooth, shiny scales that appear faded or bleached out. This non-venomous snake has a tan or light brown ground color with dark brown blotches with dark edges on the back and sides and a pale, unmarked underside. It is typically darker than other California Glossy snake subspecies. On its body, it possesses an average of 63 little blotches. Adults are 26 and 70 inches long (66-178 cm). It lives in rocky washes, grasslands, chaparral, and desert scrub, but it favors open regions with soil that is loose enough to allow for simple burrowing. The snake, which has a lifespan of 10 to 20 years, primarily preys on nocturnally active mammals, small snakes, terrestrial birds, and sleeping diurnal lizards. It hunts awake mammals at night by concealing itself and uses direct swallowing or constriction to kill prey.

Lyre Snake

Trimorphodon lyrophanes
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat Associated primarily with rocky locations in desert scrub and grassland, chaparral, oak woodland, coniferous forest, but found in rockless areas, also.
Color Coloring closely matches a snake’s rocky habitat, from gray to light brown. There are usually about 35 dorsal blotches with light edges and a pale crossbar in the center, and smaller irregular blotches on the lower sides. A lyre-shaped marking is present on top of the head.
Size 18 – 47 3/4 inches in length (46 – 121 cm).

Age

Diet Primarily lizards, but also known to eat small mammals, nestling birds, and snakes.
Description A slim snake with a broad head that stands out from the neck. The anal plate may be split or complete, and the pupils are vertical, like a cat. Mildly Venomous but not thought to be harmful to humans. Gray to light brown coloring that closely resembles the rocky habitat of a snake. Typically, 35 dorsal blotches total, with smaller irregular blotches on the lower sides and light margins, and a pale crossbar in the center. On top of the skull is a marking in the form of a lyre. Size range: 18 to 47 3/4 inches (46 – 121 cm). Primarily lizards, they are also known to prey on baby birds, snakes, and small mammals. Associated chiefly with rocky areas in chaparral, oak woodland, coniferous forest, and desert scrub and grassland, but sometimes occurs in rockless areas.

Kingsnake

Lampropeltis californiae
NON-VENOMOUS
Habitat California kingsnakes are found throughout most of California, neighboring states, and northern Mexico. They thrive in many habitat types, from marshes and grasslands to forest, scrub, and desert.
Color Alternating dark and light bands ranging in color from black and white to brown and cream
Size Average 2.5 to 3.5 feet long (76 – 107 cm)
Age Lifespan of 20 years
Diet California kingsnakes typically eat small animals such as mice, rats, lizards, frogs, and other snakes
Description California kingsnakes can live up to 20 years, are non-venomous, and alternate between bands of light and dark color, ranging from black and white to brown and cream. Small animals like mice, rats, lizards, frogs, and other snakes are frequently consumed by California kingsnakes. The majority of California, surrounding states, and northern Mexico are home to California kingsnakes. Although they can go longer, California kingsnakes in the Islas Angel de la Guarda in Baja, California, Mexico, have been recorded to reach 78 inches in length. They can survive in various habitats, including marshes, grasslands, forests, scrub, and deserts. There are many different color variants in the wild; they are typically identified by their alternating dark and light bands, which can be anything from black and white to brown and cream in hue. Instead of bands, specific populations may have longitudinal stripes. They are typically 2.5 to 3.5 feet (76 to 107 cm) long (2 m).

Southwestern Threadsnake​

Rena humilis humilis
NONE VENOMOUS

Habitat

 

Color

 

Size 2-4 feet in length

Age

24 years

Diet

 

Description

 

Pacific Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus
NONE VENOMOUS

Habitat

 

Color

 

Size 11 – 16 inches (28 – 42 cm.)

Age

10 years

Diet

 

Description

 

FAQs

  • Do not approach the snake. If on a hike, allow the snake to pass.
  • If the snake is on your property call your respected snake removal specialist
  • Please be aware that in most cases calling the fire department or pest control will result in the death of the snake
  • Stay calm and know the snake is not trying to harm you

Make sure to call a company that is licensed, bonded and insured. It’s important to make sure who you end up calling is legit. This will prevent you from any liability if the property gets damaged or someone gets hurt.

Rattlesnakes are ambush predators. They rely on their speed and stealth to secure their meal. They won’t always rattle when you walk by them. So the most important tips to know are…​

  • Stay clear of bushes, shrubs and thick vegetation.
  • They respond to your presence with a defensive posture, not aggressive.
  • They are absolutely crucial to the ecosystem so it’s best to never kill the snake but to hire your professional snake specialist to take care of them
  • If bit, do your best to not panic. Stay calm and call 911
  • Always pay more attention to the ground and where your next step is

 

* Important disclaimer, these are just tips to help avoid any possible encounter with snakes. However that does not mean you will not be bit *