A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

Click on a picture for a larger view

Commonly Encountered California Snakes

Look for a picture that is similar to the snake you want to identify, read the brief descriptions of behavior and habitat, look at the range map to see where the snake is found, and if everything fits your snake, click on the link to continue your search.

Check the following pictures first if you are trying to identify a snake you have found in California. I have received many emails asking me to identify the species of snakes shown below, so these are either the snakes most commonly encountered in California, or maybe they're just the snakes that are the most difficult to identify for the novice. Always keep in mind that most snakes vary in appearance, and a snake can look much different in motion than it does in still photos where it is often coiled up unnaturally to fit in the picture better. Don't only consider the color of a snake - it can be lighter or darker than seen in these or in other pictures, and the pattern can also vary. If you do not find your snake here, try going back to the Snake Identification page. Feel free to email a picture to me along with information about where you saw it (city and county) and what it was doing and I will try to help you identify the snake.
Gophersnake This long, harmless, common, slow-moving snake is the one I am most often asked to identify as it is often found in yards and gardens and on hiking trails and active in daylight. Often mistaken for a rattlesnake because it hisses and shakes its tail, but it is harmless. Not Dangerous to Humans



		Striped Gophersnakes are sometimes found in Northern California	Short Video

Red, Orange, Blue, Purple, and Gray: Range of Gophersnakes in California

Coachwhip (Racer) This long, thin, fast-moving harmless snake is common in the deserts and less so in coastal southern California. It is often seen because it is active in daylight and sometimes enters suburban yards, climbing trees and shrubs. Color can be brown, tan, black, or brick red. Not Dangerous to Humans



			Short Video

Red and Orange: Range of Coachwhips in California.

Sharp-tailed Snake This small, harmless and secretive snake is common along most of the north and central coast and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It is often found in backyards under debris, but is rarely seen active day or night. Many people find these tiny snakes on their property in Northern California and in the Sierra Nevada foothills, often while digging in leaf litter or under rocks or other surface objects. Not Dangerous to Humans



Juveniles are tiny.	Juveniles and sometimes adults are often bright reddish.	The belly is light with black bars.	Short Video

Red and Orange: Ranges of Sharp-tailed Snakes in California.

California Kingsnake This harmless snake is common throughout the state. Active day and night. Most have light and dark bands around the body, but some in coastal southern Calfiornia have stripes or blotches.The color can be brown or black with white or yellow bands or stripes. Not Dangerous to Humans



			Short Video

Red: Range of the Calfornia Kingsnake in California

Western Yellow-Bellied Racer This long, thin, fast-moving harmless snake is common throughout most of California excluding the deserts, and is active during the day. Color is variable - solid gray, greenish, or brown in color. The young have a pattern of dark blotches, unlike adults which have no dark markings. Not Dangerous to Humans



	Juveniles are patterned		Short Video

Red: Range of the Western Yellow-bellied Racer in California

Striped Racer or Whipsnake This long, thin, fast-moving, harmless snake is common along most of the coast and coast ranges and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Active in daylight. Often mistaken for a gartersnake, but unlike most gartersnakes, it does not have a light stripe on the middle of the back. Not Dangerous to Humans



			Short Video

Red and Blue: Range of Striped Racers in California.

Ring-necked Snake This small, harmless, snake is common throughout much of the state, but is secretive and rarely seen. Color is light or dark gray, with an orange or yellow ring around the neck and bright orange or yellow on the belly and under the tail. Usually seen hiding underneath objects in moist areas. Occasionally seen crawling in daylight. Not Dangerous to Humans



			Short Video

Ranges of the seven forms of Ring-necked Snakes in California.

Western Rattlesnake This dangerous snake is common in many habitats throughout the state, including the mountains and Great Basin deserts, but not in the southern deserts where other similar species of rattlesnakes can be found. Sometimes encountered in suburban areas near open space. Has a large body with a large triangular head and a blunt tail with a rattle on the end. Rattlesnakes are often heard before they are seen, but that cannot be relied upon because they do not always rattle. Venomous and Potentially Dangerous!



		Juveniles do not yet have a rattle, but they do have a yellow "button" at the end of the tail.	Short Video

Ranges of the three forms of Western Rattlesnakes in California

Gartersnakes (Several species) These harmless snakes are common in many habitats throughout the state, outside of the deserts.Typically found in areas near water.The head is slightly wider than the body. Most species of gartersnake have a light stripe on each side and another one on the middle of the back, but some only have a stripe on each side. Sometimes the stripes are faint. Some species have red coloring on the sides and sometimes the head. Not Dangerous to Humans







	Short Video	Short Video	Short Video
Range Maps for California Gartersnakes

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