California
Reptiles & Amphibians

Commonly Encountered California Snakes

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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 following snakes, so these are either the snakes most commonly encountered in California, or at least those that are difficult to identify for the novice.

Always keep in mind that most snakes vary in appearance, and can look much different in motion than they do in still photos (where they are usually coiled up to fit in the picture.) If you do not find your snake here, then try going back to the Snake Identification page.

Gophersnake - The snake I am most often asked to identify

Gophersnake	This snake is common throughout California, and is active during the day.	Movie
Coachwhip - Very common in the desert and desert suburbs.

Red Coachwhip	This snake is common in the South, less common in the San Joaquin Valley and foothills, and is active during the day.	Movie
Sharp-tailed Snake - A lot of people find these on their Northern California property.

Sharp-tailed Snake	This 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, and rarely seen active day or night.
King Snake - Common throughout the state. They can be banded or striped.

California Kingsnake	This snake is common throughout most of California. It is active day and night. It is variable in appearance and can black or brown, and banded or striped.	Movie
Racer - Common throughout most of the state. Fast moving and solid in color.

Western Yellow-bellied Racer	This snake is common throughout most of California excluding the deserts, and is active during the day.
Striped Racer or Whipsnake - Common throughout most of the state. Often confused with gartersnakes due to the stripes.

California Striped Racer	This snake is common along most of the coast and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Ofen mistaken for a gartersnake, this slender, fast snake is active during the day.	Movie

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