Rattlesnakes are masters of disguise so watch the area around your feet very carefully and always listen for that that telltale rattle. A post shared by Melissa (@melissa_a_bear). An extremely fast moving snake, the coachwhip quickly seizes its prey and swallows it live. They are harmless, but may attempt to bite and rattle their tail defensively. 229 reviews. They're capable of getting above 3 feet long, but most are half that size. They have a knack for crawling through pipes and small cracks. The gopher snakes are harmless terrestrial hunters. Sonoran GophersnakePituophis catenifer affinis, Great Basin GophersnakePituophis catenifer deserticola. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Total length: 20 - 46 in (51 - 117 cm) Adults in Arizona rarely get more than about 10" long. Tan, yellow, or orange in color, with dark brown blotches, between 1.5' and 5'in length. Often found near water, they also inhabit brushy areas, suburban neighborhoods, and even trash piles. Black-necked Gartersnake They are usually calm, but will stand their ground when threatened. Coloration is light as a young snake, being tan or grey with brown circles down the back. Western Patch-nosed Snakes (Salvadora hexalepis) are fairly common in Arizona. Sidewinders have a famous name and are extremely common where they are found, yet are quite uncommon to see for most. The base colors of these snakes vary but they have unique markings of red, black, and white blotches or bands. This species is only found in Arizona in sandy areas of Mohave County. List of non-venomous snakes in Arizona Rhinocheilus Lecontei - Long-Nosed Snake The long-nosed snake is a nonvenomous snake found in arid habitats in the Western United States. At first, theyre bluffers and may hiss and posture, but they become quite docile once they realize that you mean them no harm. They are found in habitats from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans, and from southern Canada into Mexico. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was foundhere on our snake identification page. This beautiful snake has red, black, and white crossbands, with the red bands bordered by thin bands of black. Do Ferrets Need Vaccination Shots? Adults are commonly in the 3 range. Total length: 16 - 46 in (41 - 117 cm) They grow to be about 16 to 46 inches and have large distinctive blotches on the side of their necks. In that time I've seen about 4 snakes, none while hiking. The brilliant orange, yellow, and red coloration on the belly becomes exposed when the snake is stressed, with the tail forming a tight coil and the latter portion of body flopped upside-down. While night snakes are venomous, they generally pose no threat to humans. 7 years ago. Coachwhips can help reduce rattlesnakes in an area because they are rattlesnake-eaters. Slow-moving and non-aggressive, bites are easily avoided simply by not approaching or attacking one when encountered. These snakes are often misidentified as rattlesnakes because of their head shape, vertical pupils, and tendency to coil into a tight circle when threatened. The coral snake is one of the prettiest deadly snakes on the planet. They can be found on golfcourses, parks, alleyways, and back yards throughout the city. Diet: Spiders, scorpions, centipedes, crickets, grasshoppers, insect larvae, Western Lyresnake This snake is found in Arizona only from a small area in the Organ Pipe National Monument, and encounters are exceptionally rare. Wandering GartersnakeThamnophis elegans vagrans, Arizona Wandering GartersnakeThamnophis elegans arizonae. Total length: 7 - 11 in (17.8 - 28 cm) From proper husbandry and habitat guidance, to articles on health concerns, diet, and extensive care guides, Reptile Guide is here to educate everyone on all things reptiles. A post shared by Michael Ruff (@ruff_herper). Most of the venomous snakes in Arizona are rattlesnakes. They can be mistaken for the Sonoran Coralsnake on occasion, but in general are easy to differentiate by the lack of white or yellow bands. Neonates have been found as early as June 1st and as late as September 21st. These snakes also sport a v-shaped marking on their heads, which supposedly resembles a lyre. This snake is a strong burrower, complete with a countersunk lower jaw to prevent sand from getting in its mouth. How Do Cats Show Affection? It's a large snake, reaching about 4' in length as an adult. It can be distinquished from the western diamondback by the striping on the tail. Eleven of the reptile species, such as twin-spotted rattlesnakes . Most of the non-venomous snakes in Arizona fit comfortably into one of a few main groups. Their pupils are elliptical. The resplendent desert shovel-nosed snake is a beautifully colored species. This species usually shows clean, alternating red or orange bands that do not encircle the entire body, which alternate with black bands. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Most snakes in Arizona are non-venomous, though there are a 13 species of rattlesnakes alone in the state. It has vertical pupils and a pair of dark blotches directly behind the head. The habitat you find them in can help identify them. Below, well dig into some of the more common snakes in Arizona to be aware of. The color is generally grey or tan, with a series of darker blotches or saddles that extend the length of the body. They are one of two species of Boa found in the state, the Three-Lined Boa (formerly considered a subspecies of Rosy Boa) are secretive snakes found in mountains of western Arizona. Total length: 8 - 18 in (20 - 46 cm) True water snakes are a group of non-venomous, aquatic snakes that are adapted to living in or near bodies of water. Alaska has no snake species. Most of the time these snakes are going to be light gray or light tan with dark brown or black blotches. Sonoran gopher snakes are only generally about four feet long but they look bigger because they have very wide bodies. Their color is a brown or grey base color with numerous black or darker-brown blotches that appear in a checkerboard pattern and a white belly. Weve made a list of some of our favorite snake species that live in Arizonas native desert habitat. Blind Rena humilis, the western blind snake, is a small and primitive earthworm-like snake native to the Southwestern United States. The speckled rattlesnake, Crotalus pyrrhus, is light gray, and may even be white. The Blacktailed Rattlesnake lives in mountainous areas and surrounding foothills, and are more rarely found in flat desert areas in between. Theyre common in the Camelback Mountain region, South Mountain area, and other parts of the valley adjacent to similar habitat. They are long and slender in comparison with, as the name suggests, a flat, slightly up-turned nose that is used to move through sand. Diet: Lizards and their eggs, Smiths Black-headed Snake Of Arizona's species, 13 are rattlesnake species. Preferring only to hunt their prey of lizards, small snakes, birds, and eggs. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. The upper body is slate-grey or even steel blue in appearance, sometimes with a yellow or cream colored ring just behind the head. This is the species of Shovel-nosed Snake homeowners may find in the sandy areas around Phoenix. The Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi willardi) is Arizonas official state reptile! A close look at the head, however reveals two dark spots the vestigial remnants of eyes. Though sometimes theyll just swallow it whole. Due to the lack of recorded medical evidence, the exact methods by which the Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnakes venom kills its prey remain mysterious. (Trimorphodon biscutatus) When you enter a likely snake habitat, always: Typically, when you encounter a snake, you wont need to do anything. The Sonoran Shovel-nosed Snake is similar in appearance to the other Shovel-nosed snakes in the state, appearing in varying amounts of white or cream, orange-red, and black bands. Chock full of desert, rocks, and grasslands. Arizona has the most venomous snakes of any state. Both venomous and non-venomous. Stripes are generally 2:1 white to black, while the diamondback are 50:50 white to black. They are completely harmless, and feed on termite larvae. They can be found in neighborhoods, as well as in the desert. They can be difficult to identify by using photographs, since they are highly variable in appearance. There are more than 3,000 venomous and non-venomous snakes across the globe. The banded rock rattlesnake usually has a grey base coloration, and a series of black bands, sometimes with a very bright teal or green outline. 81,141 posts. As adults, they are usually tan, yellow, orange, or brown in color, with a minimized pattern that can fade into a nearly patternless appearance, as the name suggests. The Kingsnakes head shape is slightly different, with a more rounded appearance. Diet: Small mammals, lizards, reptile eggs, nestling birds, Western Threadsnake Key Points: Fifteen species of aquatic snakes inhabit the water sources of the United States.The only venomous, semi-aquatic snake in the U.S. is the cottonmouth, also called the water moccasin . These can go all around their bodies or may be interrupted ventrally. . It is pale brown, bordered on each side with several dark stripes. These guys belong on your bucket list. The stripes running down the body might give is a similar look with the gartersnake. Diet: Snakes, lizards, small turtles, reptile eggs, frogs, birds, bird eggs and small mammals, Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans) Completely harmless to people and peers, they are not biters. However, there are no documented deaths from the venom of an Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake. Saddled Leaf-nosed Snake Phyllorhynchus browni, Western Leaf-nosed Snake Phyllorhynchus decurtatus, A striking snake with a blunt, rounded head, A light background with dark black blotches, including a mask-like marking over the eyes. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Like other rattlesnakes, the Hopi Rattlesnake has a keratin rattle at the end of its tail, and each time the snake sheds its skin, a new segment is added to the rattle. It prefers loose, damp soils and spends so much time underground that its eyes have become vestigial (unneeded) and located under the head scales! An eater of primarily lizard eggs, this snake is completely harmless. Fortunately, these snakes are easy to identify since they have a pretty unique shape. They do not bite and are completely harmless, and OK to have in your yard. Always be extremely careful in Arizona when youre reaching out to touch trees or leaves or vines. They can be large, up to around 3 feet long, but most are smaller. The California Kingsnake is usually identified by the stark white and black, or yellow and black, banding that runs the length of the body. Their coloring is shades of brown or grey with a white-lined diamond pattern on their back. Most other species bands break off on their sides somewhere. They never bite, and can be ignored if seen in the yard. If you are close to a rattlesnake you may hear the rattle before you even see the snake. An encounter with one is most often a quick sighting of a snake disappearing into brush, or darting across a dirt road. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Though its only found in Arizona and Utah, it can be found in several habitats within these areas, including forests, cliff slopes, grasslands, and, of course, around the rims and floor of the Grand Canyon. Patch-Nosed Snakes are most often encountered on dirt roads in the morning or late afternoon by hikers as they bask in the sun, then quickly dart off the road. Kingsnakes are medium-sized, harmless snakes. It spends its time moving around sandy soil searching for invertebrates to eat, and is rarely seen in the daytime. Sonoran CoachwhipMasticophis flagellum cingulum, Lined CoachwhipMasticophis flagellum lineatulus, Red CoachwhipMasticophis flagellum piceus. How common are rattlesnake bites in Arizona? They have a highly toxic bite and should always be left alone when seen. Florida Showdown: Who Emerges Victorious in a Burmese Python vs. Crocodile Battle? When threatened, a rattlesnake shakes it tail and makes a rattling noise as a warning. They have a series of black bands on their tails that mimic the rattle found on rattlesnakes. The Mojave also has a generally more 'clean' appearance, with more distinct diamonds and less black speckling throughout the body. The adult snake grows to an average length of 32-48 in. This is a thick-bodied, large rattlesnake. In many US states a closely related species, the Pygmy Rattlesnake, is well-known. The stripes have a slight saw-tooth look to them, unlike the straight stripes of the Eastern Patch-Nosed Snake. AZ ROC 321123. Total length: 26 - 70 in (66 - 178 cm) They are often found as babies during August and September, having found their way into garages and homes. When born, the pattern is highly contrasted but fades as the snake grows. It is a semi-aquatic species and is usually found near a water source. This small, harmless snake is not often seen. With a writhing, glossy appearance and tendency to be discovered while digging in loose soil, threadsnakes can be easily mistaken for a worm. Three subspecies are found in Arizona. Since water sources in Arizona can be hard to find you will often find black-necked snakes gathered near ponds, streams, or lakes. They may be pink or brown, and give off a foul smell when handled. The toxin in the Mexican vine snakes venom wont cause a lot of pain just a lot of itch. They are small snakes, generally about a foot long (up to nearly 2' maximum length). The Sonoran whipsnake swallows its food live. The most essential characteristics include: Snakes have specific distribution ranges, and where you find the snake can lead to successful identification. It has been observed that this behavior is specific to non-venomous species or those that possess a weak venom, unfit for defensive capabilities. 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