That is a good thing. When disturbed, the gophersnake will put on a defensive show. They are often mistaken for the Mojave Rattlesnake. Reptile.Guide is not a veterinary website, nor should any of the reptile health information on our site replace the advice of a certified veterinary professional. They are often found as babies during August and September, having found their way into garages and homes. A post shared by Melissa (@melissa_a_bear). This small, worm-like snake may reach up to 16 inches in length, but its rarely thicker than a pencil. A thin vertical stripe symbolizes the eyes of venomous snakes. The Kingsnakes head shape is slightly different, with a more rounded appearance. 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. . Coral snakes also have complete bands running to their undersides. Its very possible that you will see a rattlesnake when you are out and about in Arizona, especially if youre in State Parks or other recreational areas. 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. Bot venomous and non-venomous snakes can have a banded appearance. This behavior, as well as the snakes physical characteristics, often cause the lyre snake to be mistaken for a rattlesnake and killed. The Blacktailed Rattlesnake found near Phoenix is mostly brown, tinted with yellow, orange, or green. The presence of a Desert Kingsnake on a property may help reduce the likelihood of rattlesnake encounters. So you should always be cautious when youre hiking, camping, or doing any outdoor activities in Arizona. Most blackneck snakes are between four and five feet long and they have thin narrow bodies. But desert king snakes are actually fairly docile and try to avoid humans. They are small and generally docile, but should not be handled for potential of being envenomated with neurotoxins. This small, harmless snake is not often seen. They are very small, generally less than a foot long, and are often mistaken as baby rattlesnakes due to their triangular head and vertical eye slits. 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. Desert Nightsnake The species contains eleven subspecies that can be Crotalus Atrox Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Micruroides Euryxanthus Arizona Coral Snake, Crotalus Cerastes Sidewinder Rattlesnake, Sonora Semiannulata Western Ground Snake, Masticophis Taeniatus Striped Whipsnake, Lampropeltis Splendida Desert Kingsnake, Lampropeltis Californiae California Kingsnake, Indotyphlops Braminus Brahminy Blind Snake, Pituophis Catenifer Pacific Gopher Snake, Thamnophis Elegans Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Thamnophis Sirtalis Common Garter Snake. Copyright 2020 USASnakes. These snakes are often misidentified as rattlesnakes because of their head shape, vertical pupils, and tendency to coil into a tight circle when threatened. If you have encountered a snake in Arizona that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, well be happy to identify it for you. Diet: Lizards, small snakes, reptile eggs, nestling birds, small animals, Nightsnake (Hypsiglena torquata) (Tantilla hobartsmithi) They can be mistaken for the Sonoran Coralsnake on occasion, but in general are easy to differentiate by the lack of white or yellow bands. Three subspecies are found in Arizona. It is a medium-sized, harmless snake. Color, size, and pattern can vary greatly between communities, from small orange or reddish variants, or Hopi variety, to large-bodied, green, tan, or brown individuals. A coral snake will have yellow bands next to the red bands. Lets take a look. It frequents brushy areas, especially near canyon bottoms and streams. They live in flat, sandy scrubland desert, and avoid rocky areas and hills. Total length: 8 - 18 in (20 - 46 cm) Non-venomous Snakes Found in Arizona Below are the non-venomous snakes found in Arizona. Theyre only about eight inches long. These are medium-sized (up to about 3' long) snakes that are often confused with the similar-looking Sonoran Gophersnake. Their color is a brown or grey base color with numerous black or darker-brown blotches that appear in a checkerboard pattern and a white belly. Well take a look at this group as a whole, then discuss a few significant species. Arizona has approximately 60 species of snake. Completely harmless to people and peers, they are not biters. Both venomous and non-venomous. The Desert Massasauga is protected in Arizona from all forms of collection and harrassment, though habitat-conservation is likely the only means of saving this species in our state. If stressed, it might perform a series of dramatic, fake hisses and strikes with its mouth closed, but does not actually bite. 85730, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. According to the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, less than 1% of rattlesnake bites result in human deaths. Level Contributor . If you're unsure, we will identify it for you for free., Send us a photo or text a picture to 480-694-3020. When threatened, a rattlesnake shakes it tail and makes a rattling noise as a warning. 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. They can be very large, with adults commonly exceeding 5' or more in length. As you might expect Arizona has a lot of snakes that are known for thriving in extremely dry and hot climates. Snakes are a highly beneficial group of animals in most cases. There was a brief attempt in 1993 to move the Rosy boa to a different genus because they share some characteristics with the Rubber boa. . If youre trying to identify snakes in Phoenix, then you wont start with a list of northern Arizona snakes. Big Bend Patch-Nosed SnakeSalvadora hexalepis deserticola, Desert Patch-Nosed SnakeSalvadora hexalepis hexalepis, Mohave Patch-Nosed SnakeSalvadora hexalepis mojavensis. So much, that it will often be seen hanging around golf courses, parks, and yards. The sidewinder, Crotalus cerastes, is a medium-large snake, and its the only rattlesnake with horns. They are completely harmless, and feed on termite larvae. Their color is variable, usually consisting 3 dark dark brown stripes running the length of the body against a cream or grey base. This snake can top out at lengths of 5 in rare instances, but most adults end up in the 3-3.5 range. These are exceptionally beautiful snakes that often cause even snake-haters to admit that they're pretty. 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. These tiny, harmless snakes are most easily identified by their black head, as the name implies. The Arizona Ridgenosed Rattlesnake is the Arizona state reptile. This is not only due to it being incredibly common, but also because it has adapted very well to life in the city. It has alternating black . Use the search! Kennicott, 1859. When attacked or handled, the long-nosed snake writhes and twists its body and defecates to deter predation. These fast snakes are commonly seen people enjoying the outdoors, but very rarely seen in and around homes and backyards. They can be most easily identified by their distinct sideways motion (sidewinding), where the snake throws a loop of its body forward and pulls the rest along rather quickly. The gopher snakes are harmless terrestrial hunters. Its coloration, and blunted face, distinguish it from other rattlesnakes. Although highly venomous, they should not be considered dangerous. And Can They See in the Dark? A close look at the head, however reveals two dark spots the vestigial remnants of eyes. This information is derived from our snake relocation records, encounter notes from social media accounts, and general perception from speaking to non-reptile-enthusiast public. Rusty Dodson/Shutterstock.com This is a non-venomous species of kingsnake native to Arizona, and other states like Texas and New Mexico. Didn't find what you need? The vine snake looks almost exactly like a branch, which is where it gets its name. Fortunately, these snakes have a set of characteristics that make them easy to spot. AZ They are tiny (like a stir straw), and usually shiny or "wet" in appearance, though they are not slimy, and the color of dark coffee.Similar to our native threadsnakes, they are completely harmless and can be ignored, or put outside if found indoors. Diet: Salamanders, small frogs, tadpoles, lizards, small snakes, insects, earthworms, Saddled Leaf-nosed Snake They are often mistaken for rattlesnakes because of their superficial likeness, and tendency to quickly become defensive when approached. Extremely variable in color and pattern, they can be found in brilliant yellow, nearly black-and-white, brown, grey, and appear nearly patternless to high-contrast black and gold - all within the same community. Despite its name, this snake has adapted well to many areas of Arizona. They are generally quick to be defensive, and quite venomous, so keep your distance and leave it alone if encountered. Longnosed Snakes are usually patterned with speckled black and white bands, with varying amounts of red or orange coloration. The base color can be brown, grey, or olive, and most visible as a dorsal stripe nearly as wide as the snake's head. The color is generally grey or tan, with a series of darker blotches or saddles that extend the length of the body. The Great Basin gopher snake lives in the Great Basin, while the other species exists in the Sonoran desert. They also have two very visible 'horns' above the eyes, which helps the sidewinder live in sandy environments. Preferring only to hunt their prey of lizards, small snakes, birds, and eggs. A post shared by Trent Adamson (@tradamson_photography). They are a cream, pink, or tan color with irregularly-shaped blotches along the back, from head to tail, in a much higher frequency than the few saddles appearing on the Saddled Leaf-Nosed Snake. . This small, colorful snake is sometimes seen by homeowners who live near areas with sandy soil or wash systems. Protected throughout its limited range in Arizona, this snake should be avoided. This species is very fast,can quickly catch its prey, and swallow it whole. But if it doesnt slither away it may try to play dead by flipping over on its back and lying motionless until you walk away. Total length: 26 - 70 in (66 - 178 cm) The Sonoran Shovel-nosed Snake is similar in appearance to the other Shovel-nosed snakes in the state, appearing in varying amounts of white or cream, orange-red, and black bands. Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans) Variable Sandsnake (Chilomeniscus stramineus) Western Shovel-nosed Snake (Chionactis annulata) Sonoran Shovel-nosed Snake (Chionactis palarostris) They are usually anywhere from three to five feet long and prefer arid desert habitats. Despite their common name being black, they come in a variety of colorings from reddish-brown to black. 4 Look for a rattle. The brilliant orange, yellow, and red coloration on the belly becomes exposed when the snake is stressed, with the tail forming a tight coil and the latter portion of body flopped upside-down. 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