This is meant as a deterrant to predators, who may not want a mouthful of nasty goop. While they have been observed consuming rodents and amphibians, scientists note that this is rare because they prefer to eat lizards. Colors range from red snakes in Arizona to an orange and black snake, or gray and brown snakes. Most of the non-venomous snakes in Arizona fit comfortably into one of a few main groups. So you should always be cautious when youre hiking, camping, or doing any outdoor activities in Arizona. They are day-active, agile predators that often eat birds, lizards, and rodents. The list is separated into non-venomous and venomous snakes in Arizona. They are often found as babies during August and September, having found their way into garages and homes. Alternatively named the "flower pot snake", for good reason it is transported around the world from its original Indonesian home in soil and the roots of garden plants. 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.. Coachwhips Masticophis flagellum are non-venomous colubrid snakes with smooth, overlapping scales, long (100-150 cm record 259 cm), slender bodies and large eyes which aid in hunting. They are long and slender in comparison with, as the name suggests, a flat, slightly up-turned nose that is used to move through sand. Patterns vary but most have base colors of black, brown, or tan. Most are desert colored meaning they have a mixture of tans, browns, and blacks. When threatened, a gopher snake will . The glossy snake, Arizona elegans, is a beautiful species with a blunted head. Being strong burrowers, the Glossy snake will choose areas with sandy soil where they can dig and take shelter from the heat of the day. Arizona has more rattlesnake species than several of the other states combined. Most species also have habitat preferences. The scale across the nose resembles a patch on the nose, therefore the common name. Total length: 12 - 26 in (30 - 66 cm) Reptile Guide is also a Chewy affiliate partner. They are also very fast, and are very difficult to capture for this reason. Males can be be green, often nearly metallic in appearance, with varying amounts of pink or blue-grey. More distantly, it is sometimes mistaken for a coralsnake. The color of the soil in their native habitat often influences the coloration of their scales! . They look very similar in apperance to the New Mexico Threadsnake, but can be differentiated by the presence of a single scale between its eye spots, rather than a 3 individual scales. First noted by Robert Kennicott in letters to his mentor Spencer Baird in 1859, the Glossy Snake has nine recognized subspecies. They're quick, and most people only get a glimpse of them before they disappear, which often leads to misidentificaiton as a Coachwhip or Whipsnake. Stripes are generally 2:1 white to black, while the diamondback are 50:50 white to black. 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. . It is a relatively small snake, with adults seldom exceeding 2 in length. Black-necked Gartersnake (Tantilla hobartsmithi) (Salvadora hexalepis) However, they are very often confused with baby Longnosed Snakes, which have a very similar pattern. Their color is variable, usually consisting 3 dark dark brown stripes running the length of the body against a cream or grey base. They go through a color change as they get older, becoming darker-colored and less patterned as they age. Diet: Centipedes, millipedes, insects, Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake Throughout Arizona, excluding the northeast quadrant, A long, narrow snake with two long black vertical bands alongside a wide central band. They typically are just about two feet long. 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. Multiple types of narrow or wide bands can be seen on snakes. They may be pink or brown, and give off a foul smell when handled. If the snake has a rattle on its tail it is a rattlesnake, and therefore venomous. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Mature adults can appear to be all but patternless. Small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, Amphibians, reptiles, birds and their eggs, Other reptiles, small mammals, and small birds, Lizards, other snakes, birds and eggs, insects, 15 20 years in the wild, 30+ in captivity, Small mammals, occasionally lizards and amphibians. Florida Showdown: Who Emerges Victorious in a Burmese Python vs. Crocodile Battle? Didn't find what you need? When threatened, they will wiggle vigorously and then poop. They constrict their prey because their mild venom is not effective on birds and mammals. Arizona is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. Adults are around 3 feet long. When alarmed, this snake will shake its tail, hiss, strike, and bite the offender. 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 scared or threatened, the Night snake will ball up and hide its head. During the monsoon season each year, Longnosed Snakes hatch from eggs and wander in search of food. 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. 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. Instead, the snakes mostly prey on spiders and insects. Lets take a closer look at how to spot venomous snakes. As the name suggests, this snakes best defense is its ability to slither quickly away from predators. From the massive, gentle Sonoran Gopher Snake to the tiny, deadly Sonoran Coral Snake, theres no shortage of stunning serpents out there for you to learn about! Total length: 8 - 18 in (20 - 46 cm) The Mojave is very commonly seen in flat, sandy desertscrub areas, and less likely seen in mountainous or rocky regions. Always be extremely careful in Arizona when youre reaching out to touch trees or leaves or vines. More than 1/3 of the world's rattlesnake species are believed to live in the state. Lets say that the snake you find is bright red and short. Similar to the coachwhip, the Sonoran whipsnake is smaller and greenish-gray in color with two or three light colored stripes on each side of its body. Which Ones? When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. The western rattlesnake or prairie rattlensnake, is a venomous snake species that can be found in the Mid-West of the Crotalus oreganus, commonly called the (Northern) Pacific rattlesnake is a venomous rattlesnake found in Western America from British Columbia in Crotalus cerastes, commonly called the sidewinder rattlesnake or the horned rattlesnake is a small venomous pit viper snake. Featured Image Credit by jokerbethyname, Shutterstock. This small, harmless snake is one of the most rarely-seen species that lives along the highly-urbanized areas of Phoenix and Tucson. These snakes commonly reside in rocky canyons and foothills in a desert environment. Theyre common in the Camelback Mountain region, South Mountain area, and other parts of the valley adjacent to similar habitat. Lyre snakes are venomous, but like the vine snake, their venom isnt deadly. They will grow to be between 36 to 52 inches. Just click on any of the images or links to learn more about the snake. Usually an adult will be no more than 15 to 18 inches long. Below, well dig into some of the more common snakes in Arizona to be aware of. Snake Quiz - 52,551 People Couldn't Ace This Quiz, Watch A Hawk Turn From Predator to Prey In an Instant After Hunting A Snake. It lives in rocky areas and wedges itself in crevices and cracks in the rocks. They're slender, medium-sized snakes that get up to around 3' long. (Sonora semiannulata) A complete list of snakes in Arizona is: Every day A-Z Animals sends out some of the most incredible facts in the world from our free newsletter. They never bite, and can be ignored if seen in the yard. Many experts consider the Mojave rattlesnake to be the most toxic snake species in the US. The base color can be brown, grey, or olive, and most visible as a dorsal stripe nearly as wide as the snake's head. This is a thick-bodied, large rattlesnake. As babies, they are very small, only around 3" long, and may resemble a Blackheaded Snake until their mature coloration develops. Its vital to tread carefully in snake habitat. Alaska has no snake species. While isolated populations continue to exist, numbers are in decline and eventual extirpation is likely. 230 helpful votes. (Masticophis bilineatus) It has alternating black . They can be banded, striped, red, orange, grey, olive, tan, or any combination of these colors. If youre trying to identify snakes in Phoenix, then you wont start with a list of northern Arizona snakes. 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. Total length:12 - 20 in (30 - 51 cm) An extremely fast moving snake, the coachwhip quickly seizes its prey and swallows it live. 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. 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. However, if you consider all the characteristics, youll soon identify the species. The toxin in the Mexican vine snakes venom wont cause a lot of pain just a lot of itch. Most of the venomous snakes in Arizona are rattlesnakes. It's a large snake, reaching about 4' in length as an adult. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Overview of Snakes Species in the United States. They're long (up to 5' 6' long as adults) and slender and usually disappear quickly into bushes when disturbed. Unlike vine snakes, lyre snakes are terrestrial. Rattlesnakes are typically between two and six feet long. Like the Common King snake, they too are immune to Rattlesnake venom and like to make meals of them. Its the only snake that has its particular configuration of banding. Red next to yellow, kill a fellow. The long-nosed snake is a nonvenomous snake found in arid habitats in the Western United States. Attractivecontrasting banding of black and white or yellow and white encompasses their entire body. Shovel-Nosed Snakes are pretty, small snakes that live throughout the sandy areas of western Arizona. Diet: centipedes, sand-burrowing cockroaches, ant pupae and other insects, Western Groundsnake They're capable of getting above 3 feet long, but most are half that size. Arizona's amazing reptile diversity is composed of six turtle species, 49 lizard species, and 52 species of snakes. Copyright 2020 USASnakes. Their small size and ability to hide in the sand make them tough to see. These snakes are light brown or tan with dark brown blotches down the lengths of their bodies. Western Patch-nosed Snakes (Salvadora hexalepis) are fairly common in Arizona. This is why folks will often find them in their kitchens or bathrooms. Most of Arizona, excluding a band that runs from the Northeast, through central Arizona, and into the Southeast. (Leptotyphlops humilis) This is not only due to it being incredibly common, but also because it has adapted very well to life in the city. . The Great Basin gopher snake lives in the Great Basin, while the other species exists in the Sonoran desert. The rattlesnakes in Arizona include: Snakes can hide very well in the desert, and much of Arizonas landscape is desert. 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. The color is often a slate-grey, but sometimes appears as a colorful gradient of olive green, blue, to reddish brown, with a white belly and a stripe on each side from just behind the head down the body. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Protected throughout its limited range in Arizona, this snake should be avoided. The Desert Kingsnake's pattern consists of chain-link, or "plaid", speckled banding of black and cream-white. The California Kingsnake is usually identified by the stark white and black, or yellow and black, banding that runs the length of the body. 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. National Park Arizona Maps Nonvenomous Snakes image courtesy of dave prival Black-necked Gartersnake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis) The black-necked gartersnake is named for large blotches on either side of its neck. It has adapted well to human habitats. Diet: Lizards (mostly whiptails) and their eggs, small snakes, small mammals, Mountain Patch-nosed Snake Their surface color is dark brown, and the rest of the body (from just below the eye) is white or tan). Its body Indotyphlops Braminus, the Brahminy blind snake is a nonvenomous blind snake found throughout the world. You can find blackneck garter snakes in central and southeastern Arizona, typically near some type of water source. However, there are no documented deaths from the venom of an Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake. Their heads also have a unique shape that resembles the knobbly part of a branch. They do not bite and are completely harmless, and OK to have in your yard. The Arizona Black rattlesnake is a thick-bodied snake. If captured, the snake will continuously bite until released. Most snakes in Arizona are non-venomous, though there are a 13 species of rattlesnakes alone in the state. Arizona is home to 19 different species of venomous snakes, with most of these species being rattlesnakes. Red and dark red base colors are specific to The Arizona Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana). It is one of three protected rattlesnake species in the state, due to limited range and collection by poachers. This beautiful snake has red, black, and white crossbands, with the red bands bordered by thin bands of black. Adults in Arizona rarely get more than about 10" long. There are several lethal rattlesnake species found in Arizona, including Grand Canyon rattlesnakes, Arizona black rattlesnakes, Mojave rattlesnakes, and prairie rattlesnakes. Coloration is light as a young snake, being tan or grey with brown circles down the back. Being a constrictor, they will press or squeeze their prey. Red next to black, friend of Jack. They can be found in neighborhoods, as well as in the desert. The lyresnake eats primarily lizards, and also preys on small rodents, bats, and birds. Managing the populations of rodents that transport disease-carrying ticks. The Blacktailed Rattlesnake lives in mountainous areas and surrounding foothills, and are more rarely found in flat desert areas in between. In Arizona, these snakes are usually black. They are opportunistic feeders but well known for eating rattlesnakes. 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. Some adults can even change their coloring quickly, much like a chameleon! This species usually shows clean, alternating red or orange bands that do not encircle the entire body, which alternate with black bands. this is because of the venom glands (this is less noticeable on the coral snake). A thin vertical stripe symbolizes the eyes of venomous snakes. 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A coralsnake a beautiful species with a list of northern Arizona snakes along highly-urbanized! ) Reptile Guide is also a Chewy affiliate partner this small, harmless is.