The Midget Faded Rattlesnake is also notable for its particularly potent neurotoxic venom, referred to as concolor toxin. They are one of two species of Boa found in the state, Rosy Boas are secretive snakes found in a handful of mountain ranges south of the Gila River. As the name implies, two large, black blotches are right behind the lighter-colored head. These are also sometimes called coon-tail rattlesnakes. A thin vertical stripe symbolizes the eyes of venomous snakes. This tiny, worm-like snake is often found inside homes and near gardens. Being a constrictor, they will press or squeeze their prey. Here are ten snakes that you might see in Arizona. The Speckled Rattlesnakes is highly variable in color, from a white/grey in the South Mountain and White Tanks areas, brown in North Phoenix, and orange and red going North into Cave Creek and the Anthem areas. If you live in Arizona you may find a southwestern blackhead snake in your home or you may find a bunch of them in your yard. It prefers areas with sandy soils. They are seldom seen, but live in most of the Phoenix mountain areas and desert parks. With hundreds of articles on everything pertaining to lizards, turtles, and snakes, our experienced team provides reliable and accurate content you can trust. However, these shy and reclusive rattlesnakes are relatively small and prefer to live high in the mountains of Arizona, making human encounters rare and bites even rarer. Bites may cause irritation and pain, but do not require hospitalization and have no long-lasting effect. Diet: Birds, small mammals, lizards, snakes, frogs, Variable Sandsnake This behavior, as well as the snakes physical characteristics, often cause the lyre snake to be mistaken for a rattlesnake and killed. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. Their color has often been described as "straw", or tan, cream, or a peach tint, with a series of black or brown stripes that run from just behind the eye to the tail. A post shared by Micah Hanbury (@a_wild_hanbury_has_appeared). This small, colorful snake is sometimes seen by homeowners who live near areas with sandy soil or wash systems. As babies, they are very small, only around 3" long, and may resemble a Blackheaded Snake until their mature coloration develops. Restricted to a handful of canyons and drainages, most of its habitat lies beneath Lake Powell. Colors range from red snakes in Arizona to an orange and black snake, or gray and brown snakes. Although they are small, this snake can give a very bad bite and should never be bothered. Similar in appearance to the Sonoran Whipsnake, this snake's white or cream-colored stripes are wider and more apparent, with a lateral "zipper" look going down the body. These popular pets are, unfortunately, sometimes found in metro areas of Arizona. Sonoran gopher snakes are only generally about four feet long but they look bigger because they have very wide bodies. The gopher snakes are harmless terrestrial hunters. AZ ROC 321123. Most other species bands break off on their sides somewhere. The Western patch-nosed snake, Salvadora hexalepis, is one of three species in the genus that occur in Arizona. The Arizona Ridgenosed Rattlesnake is the Arizona state reptile. Small birds, eggs, lizards, and insects are the bulk of their diet. This species . Groundsnakes are very small, with an adult size of only around 10". New Mexico has eight venomous snakes and a large number of non-venomous ones. The western terrestrial garter snake is a harmless snake species that can be found throughout the Western United States. They're harmless, but might give a minor bite (some scratches) of picked up. Diet: Small mammals, birds, bird and reptile eggs, lizards, snakes, frogs, insects, carrion, Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) The Western diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox, is the largest species of rattlesnake. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) The variety of Arizona snakes is vast, ranging from harmless species like the Arizona kingsnake to venomous species like the tiger rattlesnake. Pet Keen is reader-supported. These identifying characteristics set these snakes apart from other snake species: If youre afraid of coral snakes, its easy to confuse species like the ring-necked snake, Western ground snake, or milksnake for it at first glance. Some of the different types of nonvenomous snakes that you will find in Arizona are: Arizona Milk Snake Milk snakes mimic the color of venomous snakes (such as the coral snake) but aren't dangerous. Total length: 24 - 67 in (61 - 170 cm) 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. During these first weeks of life, they often find their way into homes. The Tiger Rattlesnake lives in many of the same rocky, mountainous areas as the Speckled Rattlesnake. The Arizona coral snake is one of the most distinctly colored snakes that live in the desert. This individual is one of a pair collected under permit from AZGFD to represent the species in educational presentations, and provide legal, captive-born specimens to Arizona educational programs. They are considered to ne beneficial snakes, as a regular predator of venomous rattlesnakes. Until recently, scientists considered the desert king snake to be a subspecies of Lampropeltis getula, like the California king snake or the eastern king snake. Total length: 8 - 34 in (20.3 - 8.7 cm) Snakes are a highly beneficial group of animals in most cases. Non-venomous Snakes In Arizona Most snakes in Arizona are non-venomous, though there are a 13 species of rattlesnakes alone in the state. Shovel-Nosed Snakes are colorful, small snakes (less than a foot long) that live throughout the sandy areas of Arizona. Total length: 30 - 85 in (76 - 216 cm) Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. It is small, usually tan, grey, or brown, and may superficially resemble a Prairie Rattlesnake to an untrained eye. They may be pink or brown, and give off a foul smell when handled. They go through a color change as they get older, becoming darker-colored and less patterned as they age. These can go all around their bodies or may be interrupted ventrally. Scientific name: Lampropeltus californiae. Just click on any of the images or links to learn more about the snake. You may also find them in the yards of homes that have water sources in the yard. It is found in areas of mixed desert scrub and uses its snout to burrow in search of lizards and their eggs. They are generally considered as beneficial snakes, regardless of fondness for snakes, since they regularly prey on rattlesnakes. The nose is flat and jutted forward like a shovel so that the snake can essentially swim through the sand. Groundsnakes are completely harmless, never bite, and cannot hurt a person of any age or any size of pet. Total length: 8 - 18 in (20 - 46 cm) Sonoran gopher snakes are typically brown to tan with faded brown or brownish-red markings. These are medium-sized (up to about 3' long) snakes that are often confused with the similar-looking Sonoran Gophersnake. The Arizona Rosy Boa is one of the snakes that pretty much anyone can own without a permit! When born, the pattern is highly contrasted but fades as the snake grows. 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. The Sonoran Coral Snake, also known as the Arizona Coral Snake or the Western Coral Snake, is another reclusive snake known for its vibrant red, black, and yellow stripes. An unusual characteristic is a scale on the tip of its nose. According to the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, less than 1% of rattlesnake bites result in human deaths. When trying to identify a snake found in Arizona, there are a few things to bear in mind. Snakes in this genus are much smaller than those in the genus Crotalus, and this species reaches lengths of up to 36 inches. Arizona is home to 52 species of snakes. It can be distinquished from the western diamondback by the striping on the tail. The Gila Monster is one of the most iconic animals of the Sonoran desert. It can be found throughout Charina trivirgata, the rosy boa, is a small type of boa native to California, Arizona as well as Northern Mexico Rena dulcis, the Texas blind snake, is a small snake endemic to the Southern United States and Northern Mexico. Well take a look at this group as a whole, then discuss a few significant species. They are often mistaken for the Mojave Rattlesnake. When threatened, this Gartersnake will bite and release their bowls to scare off predators. They have countersunk lower jaws and long snouts, indicating a preference for burrowing. They are also very fast, and are very difficult to capture for this reason. It is a medium-sized, harmless snake. Be extremely wary of that snake and back off slowly. A lighter-colored stripe runs along each side, from jaw to tail. Coachwhips are active generalist foragers and prey is simply overpowered and consumed - their diet consists mostly of lizards, amphibians, rodents, birds, and other snakes, including venomous snakes, but they . On this page, you can find an overview of snakes in Arizona. Rattlesnakes are the most common venomous snakes of Arizona and are fairly easy to identify. Adults are around 3 feet long. They can be found on the surface in early Spring or late at night during the summer, and are rarely seen in general. All species of venomous snakes in Arizona possess offensive venom used for subduing prey. These snakes live in the desert southwest regions of Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. Lets say that the snake you find is bright red and short. They can reach sizes up to 5' long, though most are smaller. An adult snake can grow to be 20 to 60 inches. Its the only snake that has its particular configuration of banding. It will usually grow to be 22 to 27 inches long but can be as long as 3 feet. They occur throughout the state in different landscapes, with the Arizona brown spider and the black widow inhabiting desert areas. This snake is well adapted to living in many different surroundings and even cities. Arizona has more rattlesnake species than several of the other states combined. You can also simply back away and leave. There are several lethal rattlesnake species found in Arizona, including Grand Canyon rattlesnakes, Arizona black rattlesnakes, Mojave rattlesnakes, and prairie rattlesnakes. The species has 2 color variations, but in Saguaro National Park they are whitish to reddish-orange in color with 19 to 49 black or brown bands. Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. This small, worm-like snake may reach up to 16 inches in length, but its rarely thicker than a pencil. Their coloring is shades of brown or grey with a white-lined diamond pattern on their back. The tiger rattlesnake, Crotalus tigris, is a medium to large snake with a vibrant striped design. The Massasauga is the only species of the genus Sistrurus, found in Arizona. They are generally small (3' or less) and have an unusually small head compared to other rattlesnake species. As its name implies, it is found in association with rocky areas, canyons, and woodland with sun-exposed outcroppings. The Gopher snake likes the sandydesert areas where it can catch rodents, lizards, and rabbits. In the U.S., it is found in only a handful of mountain ranges in the sky islands region of Southeast Arizona at elevations above 4,000. On the end of the nose is an enlarged scale that looks like a small, bent guitar pick, which the snake uses to hunt lizards hiding in shallow sand. The Prairie Rattlesnake can be identified by the characteristically narrow light-colored facial stripes, and dorsal blotches that are often outlined oval or bow-tie shapes. In many US states a closely related species, the Pygmy Rattlesnake, is well-known. Diet: Rodents, baby rabbits, birds, lizards, Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei) The color and pattern of long-nosed snakes vary considerably, but they are usually banded or blotched with red, black, and white. Coachwhips can help reduce rattlesnakes in an area because they are rattlesnake-eaters. Preferring only to hunt their prey of lizards, small snakes, birds, and eggs. However, these shy and reclusive rattlesnakes are relatively small and prefer to live high in the mountains of Arizona, making human encounters rare and bites even rarer. A post shared by Michael Ruff (@ruff_herper). The upper body is slate-grey or even steel blue in appearance, sometimes with a yellow or cream colored ring just behind the head. Adults in the Phoenix area are commonly in the 3 range, with exceptional animals approaching 4. Then sign up right now and you'll start receiving our daily newsletter absolutely free. This list has information that is from the perspective of every-day homeowners, casual hikers, and regular residents of Arizona. The western patch-nose snake does not constrict its prey, but it does throw loops of its body over the prey, pinning it down until it can be swallowed. Its the perfect place for sun-bathing, dessert-loving reptiles. The Arizona Black Rattlesnake, or Crotalus cerberus, is found in the Hualapai Mountains and Cottonwood Cliffs in northwest Arizona. The Mojave is very commonly seen in flat, sandy desertscrub areas, and less likely seen in mountainous or rocky regions. The Pacific gopher snake, Pituophis catenifer, is a nonvenomous snake found in the Western United States, Canada and Mexico. The base color is grayish brown with a tan, sand, or light orange stripe. Since water sources in Arizona can be hard to find you will often find black-necked snakes gathered near ponds, streams, or lakes. Most often found near apartment/condo complexes, these snakes often escape or are released intentionally by pet owners who lose interest. Arizona is one of the states that is known for having the most snakes. In this article, well share some Arizona snakes in pictures, and other things you need to know, including: Well also share useful resources at the end of the article to help you deal with snakes. . They are often mistaken for rattlesnakes because of their superficial likeness, and tendency to quickly become defensive when approached. The stripes have a slight saw-tooth look to them, unlike the straight stripes of the Eastern Patch-Nosed Snake. A montane species, it is usually found in oak-juniper and pinon-juniper woodlands but may be found at lower elevations in moist canyons. In Stone Canyon, captured snakes averaged 19.6 grams (0.04 lbs). Usually brown and tan, oranges and pink colors can be found as well, especially in the Painted Desert (Arizona elegans philipi) subspecies. Fully grown, they will measure anywhere from 30 to 85 inches long. Coachwhips will bite if picked up, but are not venomous. As adults, they are less than a foot long. As you might expect Arizona has a lot of snakes that are known for thriving in extremely dry and hot climates. Coral snakes also have complete bands running to their undersides. Their primary diet is rodents and mice, which they kill by constricting, which is why they have such heavy heavy bodies. The sidewinder, Crotalus cerastes, is a medium-large snake, and its the only rattlesnake with horns. Glossy snakes resemble gopher snakes in size and color. Their diet includes lizards, small turtles, eggs, and rattlesnakes! Total length: 26 - 70 in (66 - 178 cm) Head shape. The black-necked gartersnake is named for large blotches on either side of its neck. They can grow up to six feet long although typically they are more like five feet long. Adults are commonly in the 3 range. Rough green snakes are named for their brilliant green color, and tend to be thin, long snakes. You can find them from Fort Huachuca to Santa Cruz County and throughout the rest of the state. This species of Shovel-Nosed Snake are small, as are the other Shovel-nosed Snakes with white or cream and black bands and no red or orange. Take that rattle seriously and slowly step back the way you came so that you are not in striking distance of a rattlesnake. Kingsnakes are medium-sized, harmless snakes. The Sonoran Lyresnake is a very thin, snake found throughout the desert regions of Arizona. However, they are very often confused with baby Longnosed Snakes, which have a very similar pattern. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. They are most active at night, so you may see one crossing a road or a trail at night. For example, the Arizona Ridgenosed Rattlesnake is very common in the right places, but the sight of one in the wild by a hiker or homeowner is quite rare. Arizona: 52. If you come across a snake that has bright red bands look at the color next to the bands. They are opportunistic feeders but well known for eating rattlesnakes. The Prairie Rattlesnake, (or Hopi Rattlesnake, depending on the area) is a wide-spread and extremely variable species, found in the North Eastern portions of Arizona, East of the Colorado River. This harmless constrictor closely resembles venomous coral snakes, and this mimicry might be used as self defense. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Reptile.Guide is the preferred educational source on reptiles favored by experienced herptologists and new owners alike. They are often found as babies late in the year in garages, backyards, and golf courses. 85730, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. The color is generally grey or tan, with a series of darker blotches or saddles that extend the length of the body. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. These are exceptionally beautiful snakes that often cause even snake-haters to admit that they're pretty. This snake is found in Arizona only from a small area in the Organ Pipe National Monument, and encounters are exceptionally rare. Tucson It has a pale, brown dorsal stripe bordered by one dark stripe. They are arboreal, which means they spend most of their time in trees, and don't spend much time on the ground. It is a semi-aquatic species and is usually found near a water source. That is a good thing. Their range may be exapanding in the state due to irrigation and agricultural activity. We hope youve enjoyed this article about Arizona snakes. Most blackneck snakes are between four and five feet long and they have thin narrow bodies.