CaliforniaHerps.com

A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California


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Patterned 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.




observation link

 
These are snakes found in California with a strong pattern that is blotched, saddled, spotted, or irregularly banded, with no rattle on the tail.
Rattlesnakes in California are treated separately. Some of the patterns on these snakes might be confused for banding when the blotches extend down the sides of the snake, but as defined here, bands are strongly delineated markings that circle the body or stop on the sides, whereas blotches are less well-defined and often are wider on top then become thinner on the sides, like wedges.

Only rattlesnakes in California are dangerously venomous (which is commonly but incorrectly called "poisonous".) None of the patterned snakes shown on this page have venom that is considered dangerous to humans, but the Lyresnakes do have a mild venom that is not typically mediclly significant, but can produce an unpleasant reaction, so it should be avoided.


Gopher Snakes - Pituophis catenifer

One of the most commonly seen snakes in California. Active in daytime, occasionally at night. Found in most areas of the state, including mountains, deserts, open areas, woodland, forests, frequently seen on trails and roads. Unfortunately, this harmless and beneficial species is very often killed out of fear that it is dangerous or that it is a rattlesnake. Take a look at some of the links and information here to help you learn how to know if a snake is a rattlesnake or a gopher snake.

Pacific Gopher Snake
Pacific Gopher Snake San Diego Gopher Snake Great Basin Gopher Snake
Gopher Snakes California Range Map
Ranges of the four forms of Gophersnakes found in California.
Click on the map for a key to the different forms.

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Lyresnakes - Genus Trimorphodon

Mildly Venomous

Found at night in rocky areas in the southern deserts and coastal southern California. The lyre-like marking on the head distinguishes this snake.

California Lyresnake California Lyresnake
Lyresnakes California Range Map
Red and Orange: Ranges of the two species of Lyresnakes found in California.
Click on the map for a key to the species.

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Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake - Phyllorhynchus decurtatus

A very small snake, found at night only in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, often seen crossing paved roads at night.

Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake
Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake California Range Map
Red: Range of the Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake in California

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Coachwhips (Racers) - Coluber (Masticophis) flagellum and Coluber (Masticophis) fuliginosus

Found during the day in deserts and other hot open areas. A large black area on the neck, often with black and white banding, will usually help you identify this snake.
Some Coachwhips may appear to have no pattern, especially when they are in motion.

Red Racer
Red Racer Baja California Coachwhip Red Racer San Joaquin Coachwhip
map
Red, Orange, and Blue: Ranges of Coachwhips in California.
Click on the map for a key to the names.

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Glossy Snakes - Arizona elegans

Found at night in the southern deserts and in the central valley and coastal foothills. Slow-moving, similar to gophersnakes, but the markings  appear less distinct.

California Glossy Snake Mohave Glossy Snake Desert Glossy Snake
glossy snakes range map
Red, Orange, and Purple: Ranges of Glossy Snakes in California.
Click on the map for a key to the names.

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Night Snakes - Genus Hypsiglena

Small snakes found at night or underneath objects. A black patch on the neck and blotches that look like a double row of spots will help identify this snake.

California Nightsnake
Northern Desert Nightsnake Northern Desert Nightsnake Northern Desert Nightsnake California Nightsnake
Hypsiglena CA Range Map
Red, Orange, and Purple: Ranges of Nightsnakes in California
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Juvenile Western Yellow-bellied Racer - Coluber constrictor mormon

Small, fast-moving snakes, found active in the daytime, in open and grassy areas. Resembles a small gophersnake, but with longer, thinner tail. Changes appearance as it reaches adulthood. The belly is yellow, often bright yellow.

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

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Sierra Gartersnake - Thamnophis couchii

Found mainly in and around streams and ponds in the Sierra Nevada mountains, including the east slope leading into the Owens Valley, and near Mt. Shasta in the north.

Sierra Gartersnake Sierra Gartersnake
Sierra Gartersnake California Range Map
Red: Range of the Sierra Gartersnake in California

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Aberrant California Kingsnake

An unusual variation of the California Kingsnake found in the central valley, from Mendota to Davis. There are other patterned or striped aberrant California Kingsnakes found in California, mainly along the southern coast.

California Kingsnake
California Kingsnake Range Map
Red: Range of the California Kingsnake in California.
Blue: Main areas where aberrant California Kingsnakes are regularly found.
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Watersnakes - Genus Nerodia

Not native California snakes with large blotches and semi-bands.
Recently introduced near Folsom, Roseville, and Harbor City, and maybe elsewhere.
Active in daytime. Found in or near water, quickly diving underwater when disturbed.

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Common Watersnake - Nerodia sipedon

Northern Watersnake Northern Watersnake
  Range Map  
Red dots: Locations where non-native Northern Watersnakes have been established in California

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Southern Watersnake - Nerodia fasciata

Southern Watersnake Southern Watersnake Southern Watersnake
  © Jonathan Hakim    
  Range Map  
Red dots: Locations where non-native Southern Watersnakes have been established in California
       

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