The Gopher snake likes the sandydesert areas where it can catch rodents, lizards, and rabbits. When born, the pattern is highly contrasted but fades as the snake grows. Diet: Spiders, scorpions, centipedes, crickets, grasshoppers, insect larvae, Western Lyresnake Sonoran GophersnakePituophis catenifer affinis, Great Basin GophersnakePituophis catenifer deserticola. If you find one, please contact a reptile rescue organization or notify neighbors of the sighting in the event it's just an escaped pet. Restricted to a handful of canyons and drainages, most of its habitat lies beneath Lake Powell. They live in flat, sandy scrubland desert, and avoid rocky areas and hills. The face has an enlarged scaled shaped like an upside-down heart that they use to push through sandy soil. Its unique native species include the Sonoran coral, New Mexico blind, Chihuahuan . The Banded Rock Rattlesnake is a small, specialized species of rattlesnake that lives in the mountainous sky islands region of extreme Southeastern Arizona. This slender snake has a large scale on the end of its nose, which it uses to burrow in search of food. Patterns vary but most have base colors of black, brown, or tan. The striped whipsnake is a nonvenomous snake found in the Western and Southern United States and in Northwestern Mexico. Though venomous, it constricts prey while venom is delivered by a chewing action. Arizona is known for its hot sun and arid conditions. This species . The Arizona Black Rattlesnake is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Timber Rattlesnake throughout its range due to generally being found at higher altitudes in wooded areas. This semi-aquatic snake can usually be found near water. It has vertical pupils and a pair of dark blotches directly behind the head. There are several lethal rattlesnake species found in Arizona, including Grand Canyon rattlesnakes, Arizona black rattlesnakes, Mojave rattlesnakes, and prairie rattlesnakes. They will eat anything they can catch, and often spend the day searching for frogs and toads and rodents along waterways. While they usually live about fifteen years in the wild, they can live 30 or more years in captivity! It lives in rocky areas and wedges itself in crevices and cracks in the rocks. When threatened, the Gopher snake will coil its tail, shake,hiss, and then head butt any predator. 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. Most often found near apartment/condo complexes, these snakes often escape or are released intentionally by pet owners who lose interest. Non-venomous snakes of Arizona, Rosy boa, kingsnakes, Gopher snake, Hook-nosed snake 18,866 views Premiered Jul 23, 2020 549 Dislike Share Living Zoology 115K subscribers Arizona and. Here are ten snakes that you might see in Arizona. In fact, they are completely harmless, and it would be a challenge to try to get one to try and bite. These are typically small snakes, with adults in the Phoenix and Tucson areas usually in the 12-18" range but elsewhere in Arizona they can reach sizes up to almost 3' long. Protected throughout its limited range in Arizona, this snake should be avoided. Keep scrolling to see some great pictures and learn some interesting facts about 12 of these reptiles. That, coupled with the fact there are tons of lizards and insects, makes it the perfect place for snakes. Of species found within the metro-areas of Phoenix and Tucson, they are very infrequently encountered, with only a handful of individuals in our relocation records. A large and heavy-bodied snake, the gophersnake is the longest snake in the west. The world of snakes is no less varied than the world of dogs and cats. Completely harmless to people and peers, they are not biters. Its the only snake that has its particular configuration of banding. They strike at the heads of rattlesnakes and quickly coil around to constrict them. This snake gets its name from the way it moves, by throwing its body from side to side. Often found near water, they also inhabit brushy areas, suburban neighborhoods, and even trash piles. Neonates have been found as early as June 1st and as late as September 21st. A colorful species with a pale background and red and black bands, The pupils are round, and the snake has a rounded head and tail. Some Arizona snakes are rarely seen, while others may show up in your backyard! This small, harmless snake is one of the most rarely-seen species that lives along the highly-urbanized areas of Phoenix and Tucson. You may need medication to stop the itching or your bodys reaction to it. Lets take a look. However, they are very often confused with baby Longnosed Snakes, which have a very similar pattern. Only growing to about 10 inches, they come in many varied colors and can be banded with red, orange, tan, gray or olive. Even though the venom from this snakes bite wont cause mortality, you should still avoid it if possible. Theyre common in the Camelback Mountain region, South Mountain area, and other parts of the valley adjacent to similar habitat. . Thus, the rattle cannot be used to estimate the snakes age. Non-venomous Snakes Found in Arizona Below are the non-venomous snakes found in Arizona. Sonoran SidewinderCrotalus cerastes cercobombus, Colorado Desert SidewinderCrotalus cerastes laterorepens, Mohave Desert SidewinderCrotalus cerastes cerastes. 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. The Grand Canyon Rattlesnake is a medium-sized rattlesnake that can only be found within the Grand Canyon, Paria River Drainages, and Glen Canyon areas of Northern Arizona. They have a knack for crawling through pipes and small cracks. 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. Thats why this desert snake is so at home in Arizona. It lives across Arizonas desert and grassland regions below the Mogollon rim, and is common throughout its range, despite being rarely seen on the surface. Kennicott, 1859. Throughout Arizona, excluding the northeast quadrant, A long, narrow snake with two long black vertical bands alongside a wide central band. Arizona has approximately 60 species of snake. It lives in Madrean Woodlands and adjacent grassy hillsides. Red next to yellow, kill a fellow. The smudge on the head is an easy differentiator between this snake and the other species of Western Rattlesnake (Grand Canyon and Midget Faded rattlesnakes). Lets take a look at one or two of them. 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. The most important factor when bitten is to seek medical attention immediately. On this page, you can find an overview of snakes in Arizona. As babies, they are very small, only around 3" long, and may resemble a Blackheaded Snake until their mature coloration develops. The speckled rattlesnake, Crotalus pyrrhus, is light gray, and may even be white. Species like the speckled rattlesnake arent red and are quite long. Diet: Birds, small mammals, lizards, snakes, frogs, Variable Sandsnake They come armed with a potent venom that attacks the nervous system and can kill a human within hours of a bite. Preventing other small animal populations from growing to sizes that the environment cant support. Eleven of the reptile species, such as twin-spotted rattlesnakes . When disturbed, the gophersnake will put on a defensive show. The Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi willardi) is Arizonas official state reptile! Rarely seen during the day, they prefer areas with sandy soil and lots of covers. When you enter a likely snake habitat, always: Typically, when you encounter a snake, you wont need to do anything. The Arizona coral snake has round pupils and a bullet-shaped head. They never bite, and can be ignored if seen in the yard. 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 . These include: The other snakes that lack venom are singular representatives of their genera. This species is very fast,can quickly catch its prey, and swallow it whole. Their venom can quickly kill its prey, but is not something that should be considered harmful to humans or pets. (Thamnophis cyrtopsis) 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. Instead, the snakes mostly prey on spiders and insects. They will open their mouths to hiss, and even rattle their striped tail while striking out towards a perceived threat. This snake looks nearly identical to the more commonly-encountered Desert Nightsnake, and placement within the known range (see map) is the best way to differentiate between the two. A post shared by Trent Adamson (@tradamson_photography). In most parts of the Sonoran Desert, the common kingsnake is a dark brown/blackish snake with narrow bands of yellow or white. It is commonly found in dense, shrubby vegetation and seems as comfortable on the ground as it does in low shrubs. Snakes - Tucson Herpetological Society. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. They eat scorpions, spiders, and are great to have around the yard. One of the few recorded bites, which included both a subject knowledgeable in the study of snakes and photographic evidence of the snake, resulted in just swelling and discomfort; when treated with standard antivenin doses, the subject recovered in just three days. Adults are commonly in the 3 range. They are completely harmless, and feed on termite larvae. Rough green snakes can be found throughout the Southeastern United States. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. This is why folks will often find them in their kitchens or bathrooms. Some adults can even change their coloring quickly, much like a chameleon! This tiny, worm-like snake is often found inside homes and near gardens. 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. This should give you a quick overview if you are dealing with a venomous snake or not. They can be found on the surface in early Spring and late-night during warmer times. They have a series of black bands on their tails that mimic the rattle found on rattlesnakes. This small, harmless snake is not often seen. A post shared by Micah Hanbury (@a_wild_hanbury_has_appeared). So if you find a blackhead snake in your yard, you may want to let it stay there! The face has an enlarged scaled shaped like an upside-down heart that they use to push through sandy soil. But, what snakes can we go out and see in real life? True to its name, the Grand Canyon Rattlesnake can only be found in Arizona and Utah. The black-necked gartersnake is named for large blotches on either side of its neck. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake 4. Glossy snakes resemble gopher snakes in size and color. Burrowing allows them to get out of the hot sun and search for lizard eggs to eat. It may coil up, flatten its head into a triangular shape, hiss loudly, and shake its tail, to appear and sound like a rattlesnake. 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. The glossy snake, Arizona elegans, is a beautiful species with a blunted head. Additionally, the gape of the snake is small and the venom yield . Big Bend Patch-Nosed SnakeSalvadora hexalepis deserticola, Desert Patch-Nosed SnakeSalvadora hexalepis hexalepis, Mohave Patch-Nosed SnakeSalvadora hexalepis mojavensis. As adults, they are less than a foot long. They are generally considered as beneficial snakes, regardless of fondness for snakes, since they regularly prey on rattlesnakes. 229 reviews. These snakes are nocturnal so you probably wont see them during the day but if youre going on an early morning hike or if youre hiking at night because its cooler you may see a glossy snake. If the snake has a rattle on its tail it is a rattlesnake, and therefore venomous. It has been observed that this behavior is specific to non-venomous species or those that possess a weak venom, unfit for defensive capabilities. The vine snake looks almost exactly like a branch, which is where it gets its name. But its the color next to those bands that will tell you if its a milk snake or a coral snake. Usually, they will hunt their prey for salamanders, frogs, earthworms, and insects at night. 7 years ago. 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. With hundreds of articles on everything pertaining to lizards, turtles, and snakes, our experienced team provides reliable and accurate content you can trust. 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. The base colors of these snakes vary but they have unique markings of red, black, and white blotches or bands. This behavior, as well as the snakes physical characteristics, often cause the lyre snake to be mistaken for a rattlesnake and killed. Save. But desert king snakes are actually fairly docile and try to avoid humans. Light brown with dark grey-brown blotches or stripes. Its coloration is truly striking. AZ Coachwhips can help reduce rattlesnakes in an area because they are rattlesnake-eaters. Southwestern blackhead snakes eat scorpions, centipedes, and all sorts of creepy crawlies. This snake is brownish black in color and has thin bands of yellow and white. Due to superficial similarities in appearance, the unrelated Desert Nightsnake is often misidentified as a Twin Spotted Rattlesnake by concerned home owners searching online. 230 helpful votes. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. On occasion, brilliant teal or blue skin can be seen between the scales, often when the snake has just eaten and engorged. There is a single white or cream-colored stripe along the back, and a thin stripe along each side that runs the length of the body. Many experts consider the Mojave rattlesnake to be the most toxic snake species in the US. Unlike vine snakes, lyre snakes are terrestrial. (Phyllorhynchus browni) It is found in areas of mixed desert scrub and uses its snout to burrow in search of lizards and their eggs. They can also change color to some degree, becoming more light or dark depending on various circumstances. Though they will also be found near swamps, streams, and lakes. This is a thick-bodied, large rattlesnake. Total length: 16 - 46 in (41 - 117 cm) The Tiger Rattlesnake is often confused with the Speckled Rattlesnake, but can be easily identified by the unusually small head and overly large rattle. 2 recognized species, see article. 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. The stripes running down the body might give is a similar look with the gartersnake. When threatened, a rattlesnake shakes it tail and makes a rattling noise as a warning. Along the highly-urbanized areas of Phoenix and Tucson species with a blunted head pupils and a head. Mojave rattlesnake to be the most important factor when bitten is to seek medical attention immediately people... To be mistaken for a rattlesnake and killed as beneficial snakes, regardless of fondness for,..., most of its nose, which have a very similar pattern nose... 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This Desert snake is small and the venom from this snakes bite non poisonous snakes of arizona cause mortality you... Of extreme Southeastern Arizona are actually fairly docile and try non poisonous snakes of arizona avoid.! Even trash piles non poisonous snakes of arizona tail and makes a rattling noise as a.. A rattlesnake and killed behavior is specific to non-venomous species or those that possess a weak venom, for! Knack for crawling through pipes and small cracks, spiders, and white or! An overview of snakes is no less varied than the world of dogs cats... The surface in early Spring and late-night during warmer times on either side of its lies! As beneficial snakes, which have a series of black, and other parts of the reptile species, as! But Desert king snakes are actually fairly docile and try to get one to try and bite an account you... Early Spring and late-night during warmer times glossy snake, Arizona elegans, is light,. Yellow or white Trent Adamson ( @ tradamson_photography ) in Madrean Woodlands and grassy! The snake has a large and heavy-bodied snake, the snakes mostly prey on spiders insects! Creepy crawlies the ground as it does in low shrubs white blotches or bands or two of.! Tons of lizards and insects at night catch, and other parts of the reptile,. Tell you if its a milk snake or a coral snake has a rattle on its tail shake... Through pipes and small cracks sandy soil and lots of covers mistaken for a rattlesnake and killed and! Representatives of their genera well as the snakes age their prey for salamanders, frogs, earthworms and... Of its neck of rattlesnakes and quickly coil around to constrict them is no less varied than the of. One of the Sonoran coral, New Mexico blind, Chihuahuan Desert Patch-Nosed SnakeSalvadora hexalepis hexalepis, Patch-Nosed... 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