In Arizona, they are mostly found at higher elevations, between 4500 and 9,000, inhabiting nearly every habitat type within their range. How common are rattlesnake bites in Arizona? Their venom can quickly kill its prey, but is not something that should be considered harmful to humans or pets. 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. 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. The Arizona Ridgenosed Rattlesnake is the Arizona state reptile. As Coluber constrictor, commonly called the eastern racer is a nonvenomous snake species. How Do Cats Show Affection? 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. The Sonoran whipsnake swallows its food live. It prefers areas with sandy soils. The only time that you need to intervene is when the snake is a threat to others, or in danger of getting hurt. Snakes - Tucson Herpetological Society. It occurs in a variety of habitats but generally prefers open areas with sandy soils. Their small size and ability to hide in the sand make them tough to see. Milk snakes have thin black bands next to the red bands and wider white bands after the black bands. Unlike the other species of Gartersnakes in the state, they can be quite colorful. A coral snake will have yellow bands next to the red bands. It is pale brown, bordered on each side with several dark stripes. Three subspecies are found in Arizona. Their heads also have a unique shape that resembles the knobbly part of a branch. Southwestern blackhead snakes eat scorpions, centipedes, and all sorts of creepy crawlies. Re: Snakes . The Banded Rock Rattlesnake is a small, specialized species of rattlesnake that lives in the mountainous sky islands region of extreme Southeastern Arizona. An adult snake is a deep brown color and sometimes completely black. This snake has a reputation of being an overly dangerous snake, as it is quick to become defensive and has a powerful neurotoxin in many parts of its range. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Non-venomous Snakes In Arizona Most snakes in Arizona are non-venomous, though there are a 13 species of rattlesnakes alone in the state. The Arizona Black Rattlesnake is found in the Hualapai Mountains and Cottonwood Cliffs in the northwest of Arizona. Blind Rena humilis, the western blind snake, is a small and primitive earthworm-like snake native to the Southwestern United States. The Sonoran coralsnake is the only venomous, non-rattlesnake species of snake in Arizona. When threatened, the Gopher snake will coil its tail, shake,hiss, and then head butt any predator. The presence of a Desert Kingsnake on a property may help reduce the likelihood of rattlesnake encounters. Which Ones? Some scientists break down Pituophis catenifer into the Sonoran gopher snake, P. c. affinis, and the Great Basin gopher snake, P. c. deserticola. List of non-venomous snakes in Arizona Rhinocheilus Lecontei - Long-Nosed Snake The long-nosed snake is a nonvenomous snake found in arid habitats in the Western United States. 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. Didn't find what you need? When threatened, they will wiggle vigorously and then poop. The banding is also more complete at the sides, where a Longnosed Snakes bands may include blotches of white or grey on each side. They are often found as babies late in the year in garages, backyards, and golf courses. Diet: Centipedes, millipedes, insects, Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake Though often attacked by defensive ants, its smooth and hard scales protect it from their bites and stings. (Salvadora hexalepis) The color is generally grey or tan, with a series of darker blotches or saddles that extend the length of the body. this is because of the venom glands (this is less noticeable on the coral snake). This snake is brownish black in color and has thin bands of yellow and white. Total Length: 18 - 42 in (46 - 107 cm) It has vertical pupils and a pair of dark blotches directly behind the head. Lets take a closer look at how to spot venomous snakes. Big Bend Patch-Nosed SnakeSalvadora hexalepis deserticola, Desert Patch-Nosed SnakeSalvadora hexalepis hexalepis, Mohave Patch-Nosed SnakeSalvadora hexalepis mojavensis. They can be difficult to identify by using photographs, since they are highly variable in appearance. This snake is found in Arizona only from a small area in the Organ Pipe National Monument, and encounters are exceptionally rare. Stripes are generally 2:1 white to black, while the diamondback are 50:50 white to black. These popular pets are, unfortunately, sometimes found in metro areas of Arizona. People that live in areas where coral snakes occur have created a rhyme for it. Also often called a "red racer", Coachwhips are long, thin snakes that can reach lengths of up to around 5. Fully grown, they will measure anywhere from 30 to 85 inches long. True water snakes are a group of non-venomous, aquatic snakes that are adapted to living in or near bodies of water. Due to superficial similarities in appearance, the unrelated Desert Nightsnake is often misidentified as a Twin Spotted Rattlesnake by concerned home owners searching online. Their diet consists almost entirely of lizards. They are reasonably intelligent, agile snakes, that can climb trees, climb walls, fences, and are found in about any place imaginable. The Striped Whipsnake is a large-eyed, slender, fast-moving snake that is commonly seen throughout its range in Arizona. They can be large, up to around 3 feet long, but most are smaller. These are also sometimes called coon-tail rattlesnakes. They are great at getting into small cracks and even get through pipes, and end up on kitchen counters, in bathroom sinks, and all kinds of surprising places. The Arizona Black Rattlesnake, or Crotalus cerberus, is found in the Hualapai Mountains and Cottonwood Cliffs in northwest Arizona. A the snake matures, it will darken to a deep brown color to completely black. That, coupled with the fact there are tons of lizards and insects, makes it the perfect place for snakes. The habitat you find them in can help identify them. This beautiful snake has red, black, and white crossbands, with the red bands bordered by thin bands of black. They do not bite and are completely harmless, and OK to have in your yard. They are no threat to humans. This small and elusive rattlesnake just barely makes it across the northern Arizona border. The Gopher snake is one of the most commonly seen in Arizona. The Great Basin Rattlesnake is one of the widest-ranging rattlesnakes in the Western US, being found in AZ, CA, NV, OR, ID, and UT. 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. 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. If youre trying to identify snakes in Phoenix, then you wont start with a list of northern Arizona snakes. With a writhing, glossy appearance and tendency to be discovered while digging in loose soil, threadsnakes can be easily mistaken for a worm. 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. The Arizona Mountain Kingsnake or Lampropeltis pyromelana may look like a coral snake at first glance, but coloring is one of its defense mechanisms! King Cobra vs Rattlesnake: 5 Key Differences, Cottonmouth vs Rattlesnake: 5 Key Differences, Discover the Largest Anaconda Ever (A 33, Discover the Monster Snake 5X Bigger than, The 7 Best Snake Guard Chaps You Can Buy Today. They will eat anything they can catch, and often spend the day searching for frogs and toads and rodents along waterways. A post shared by Melissa (@melissa_a_bear). Most of the venomous snakes in Arizona are rattlesnakes. They may be pink or brown, and give off a foul smell when handled. The majority of poisonous snake bites in the U.S. each year are at the fangs of a rattlesnake. 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. A large and heavy-bodied snake, the gophersnake is the longest snake in the west. Diet: Spiders, scorpions, centipedes, crickets, grasshoppers, insect larvae, Western Lyresnake Featured Image Credit by jokerbethyname, Shutterstock. They can grow to be over two feet long. If you see a snake with red bands in the leaf litter or in a tree when youre outdoors and it has black bands next to the red bands its a milk snake and there is no danger. They are most active at night, so you may see one crossing a road or a trail at night. The Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi willardi) is Arizona's official state reptile! They are heavy-bodied for their size, which can help differentiate them from the more commonly-seen Longnosed Snakes and variety of other small, ground-dwelling species. The adult snake grows to an average length of 32-48 in. Bites may cause irritation and pain, but do not require hospitalization and have no long-lasting effect. The most common rattlesnake in the Phoenix area is the Western Diamondback. These fast snakes are commonly seen people enjoying the outdoors, but very rarely seen in and around homes and backyards. Here are ten snakes that you might see in Arizona. King Cobra vs Cobra: Whats the Difference? This slender snake has a large scale on the end of its nose, which it uses to burrow in search of food. Groundsnakes are completely harmless, never bite, and cannot hurt a person of any age or any size of pet. There were no recorded deaths from coral snake bites from 1967, when an antivenin was produced, until 2006 when an untreated patient died but dont stop worrying just yet; the antivenin hasnt been commercially produced since 2003. When threatened, a gopher snake will . Even though the venom from this snakes bite wont cause mortality, you should still avoid it if possible. All species of venomous snakes in Arizona possess offensive venom used for subduing prey. The Sonoran Lyresnake is a very thin, snake found throughout the desert regions of Arizona. Alaska has no snake species. This snake can top out at lengths of 5 in rare instances, but most adults end up in the 3-3.5 range. If you come upon a desert king snake it will usually try to flee. They're often mistaken for young Groundsnakes, which also often appear with a black head, but can be differentiated by the presence of a red or pink stripe on the belly. Patterns vary but most have base colors of black, brown, or tan. Sonoran gopher snakes are only generally about four feet long but they look bigger because they have very wide bodies. Rusty Dodson/Shutterstock.com This is a non-venomous species of kingsnake native to Arizona, and other states like Texas and New Mexico. A post shared by Trent Adamson (@tradamson_photography). They have large, round eyes that angle forward through indentations in the face, and can appear to be looking forward. Kingsnakes get their name for their propensity to devour other snakes, and the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake can be found feasting upon rattlesnakes, copperheads, and even the coral snakes they imitate! They can grow up to six feet long although typically they are more like five feet long. 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. Southwestern blackhead snakes are completely harmless to humans. The speckled rattlesnake, Crotalus pyrrhus, is light gray, and may even be white. If you're unsure, we will identify it for you for free., Send us a photo or text a picture to 480-694-3020. The Pacific gopher snake, Pituophis catenifer, is a nonvenomous snake found in the Western United States, Canada and Mexico. Sonoran CoachwhipMasticophis flagellum cingulum, Lined CoachwhipMasticophis flagellum lineatulus, Red CoachwhipMasticophis flagellum piceus. Sonoran SidewinderCrotalus cerastes cercobombus, Colorado Desert SidewinderCrotalus cerastes laterorepens, Mohave Desert SidewinderCrotalus cerastes cerastes. Most of the venomous snakes in Arizona are rattlesnakes. The King snakes preferred habitats are deserts, woodlands, and abandoned farms. Of Arizona's species, 13 are rattlesnake species. As its name implies, this snake has a black cap on top of its head with a cream colored collar. . The Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake is a harmless constrictor that is not cause for alarm if seen. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Then sign up right now and you'll start receiving our daily newsletter absolutely free. This inconspicuous looking snake is usually an olive green to bluish-gray snake with a yellow or orange neckband. Additionally, the gape of the snake is small and the venom yield . The gopher snakes are harmless terrestrial hunters. It is a small snake, less than a foot long as an adult, and relatively stout for its length. Desert kingsnakes are nonvenomous snakes that play dead when confronted by humans. This non-venomous snake grows to an average of about eight inches long, making it a manageable pet for some reptile enthusiasts. It has alternating black . Instead, the snakes mostly prey on spiders and insects. This small snake is one of the most efficient sandswimmers. Its adaptations for burrowing include a narrow head, a deeply countersunk lower jaw, flat nose, nasal valves, small and upturned eyes, and a concave belly. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Overview of Snakes Species in the United States. Their diet includes frogs, toads, tadpoles, lizards, and fish. Most snakes in Arizona are non-venomous, though there are a 13 species of rattlesnakes alone in the state. 4 Look for a rattle. Most of Arizona, excluding a band that runs from the Northeast, through central Arizona, and into the Southeast. 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. Species like the speckled rattlesnake arent red and are quite long. The variety of Arizona snakes is vast, ranging from harmless species like the Arizona kingsnake to venomous species like the tiger rattlesnake. They are harmless, but may attempt to bite and rattle their tail defensively. While isolated populations continue to exist, numbers are in decline and eventual extirpation is likely. This snake is a strong burrower, complete with a countersunk lower jaw to prevent sand from getting in its mouth. The vine snake looks almost exactly like a branch, which is where it gets its name. 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. (Sonora semiannulata) Diet: Lizards, snakes, small mammals, frogs, Sonoran Whipsnake Feigning death is known as playing possum, and it isn't a snake-specific behavior.
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