Speckled Rattlesnakes live in rocky areas near mountains or hillsides. 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. These are medium-sized (up to about 3' long) snakes that are often confused with the similar-looking Sonoran Gophersnake. A coral snake will have yellow bands next to the red bands. Nightsnakes are the most common snake to see inside of the home, in our experience. (Tantilla hobartsmithi) They can be a variety of colors; brown and tan is most common, though they also may be red, pink, orange, or black. Their coloring is usually yellow to pale brown. A the snake matures, it will darken to a deep brown color to completely black. Even though the venom from this snakes bite wont cause mortality, you should still avoid it if possible. Diet: mostly lizards but also snakes, Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer) Saddled Leaf-nosed Snake Phyllorhynchus browni, Western Leaf-nosed Snake Phyllorhynchus decurtatus, A striking snake with a blunt, rounded head, A light background with dark black blotches, including a mask-like marking over the eyes. The long-nosed snake is a distinctive-looking species that youre unlikely to confuse with another snake. Their diet includes frogs, toads, tadpoles, lizards, and fish. The state of Arizona has 27 spider species, three of them known for their venomous bite, being potentially dangerous to humans. Pet Keen is reader-supported. This snake has a pattern of irregular blotches along the back, often with a dark brown outline. 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. Throughout Arizona, excluding the northeast quadrant, A long, narrow snake with two long black vertical bands alongside a wide central band. The banding is also more complete at the sides, where a Longnosed Snakes bands may include blotches of white or grey on each side. Thats why this desert snake is so at home in Arizona. More than 1/3 of the world's rattlesnake species are believed to live in the state. 4. As you might expect Arizona has a lot of snakes that are known for thriving in extremely dry and hot climates. The coachwhip is a long, slender snake. They are heavy-bodied, less than 3' in length, with a "chubby" build, rounded tail, and head distinct from the body. A large adult diamondback in our area would be in the 3.5 to 4 range, with most being smaller. If caught, a coachwhip will become aggressive and may bite repeatedly until released. Most of Arizona, excluding a band that runs from the Northeast, through central Arizona, and into the Southeast. With Arizona being home to a large population and popular attractions ranging from lakes to the Grand Canyon, it helps to be aware of which snakes you might come across and which ones are potentially dangerous. These snakes are often misidentified as rattlesnakes because of their head shape, vertical pupils, and tendency to coil into a tight circle when threatened. The color of the soil in their native habitat often influences the coloration of their scales! When in danger, it will coil up and lift its backend, then unleash a foul odor! They are generally considered as beneficial snakes, regardless of fondness for snakes, since they regularly prey on rattlesnakes. The western terrestrial garter snake is a harmless snake species that can be found throughout the Western United States. Their color is variable, usually consisting 3 dark dark brown stripes running the length of the body against a cream or grey base. They live in flat, sandy scrubland desert, and avoid rocky areas and hills. The name Coachwhip comes from this snakes resemblance to the horse whips used by old-fashioned stagecoach drivers. It gets its name from its resemblance to the whip used by stagecoach drivers. The Crotalus viridis nuntius, also known as the Hopi Rattlesnake, is named for the Native American Hopi tribe that inhabits the northeastern part of Arizona, where these snakes are found. Diet: Lizards (mostly whiptails) and their eggs, small snakes, small mammals, Mountain Patch-nosed Snake An eater of primarily lizard eggs, this snake is completely harmless. Are Hedgehogs Nocturnal? The snake will mostly play dead when surprised by a predator . 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. The Tiger Rattlesnake is often confused with the Speckled Rattlesnake, but can be easily identified by the unusually small head and overly large rattle. ), Pennsylvania Snakes Identification Guide: All Species & Pics, The Ultimate Bearded Dragon Care Guide for Beginners, Small Pet Turtles: 6 Tiny Babies to Melt Your Heart, Ball Python Care Sheet: First-Time Owners Guide (Updated), Leopard Gecko Care Sheet: New Owners Guide, Ball Python Morphs With Pictures: The 50 MOST Popular, Large heat pits located between the eyes and nostrils, Mohave Shovel-Nosed Snake Chionactis occipitalis, Sonoran Shovel-nosed Snake Chionactis palarostris, Resplendent Desert Shovel-Nosed Snake Chionactis annulata, Thornscrub Hook-nosed Snake Gyalopion quadrangulare, Chihuahuan Hook-nosed Snake Gyalopion canum, Desert Nightsnake Hypsiglena chlorophaea, Desert Kingsnake Lampropeltis splendida, Eastern Milksnake Lampropeltis triangulum, Western Milksnake Lampropeltis gentilis, California King Snake Lampropeltis californiae, Arizona Mountain Kingsnake Lampropeltis pyromelana, Chihuahuan Mountain Kingsnake Lampropeltis knoblochi, Striped Whipsnake Masticophis taeniatus, Sonoran Whipsnake Masticophis bilineatus, Saddled Leaf-nosed Snake Phyllorhynchus browni, Western Leaf-nosed Snake Phyllorhynchus decurtatus, Big Bend Patchnose Snake Salvadora deserticola, Eastern Patch-nosed Snake Salvadora grahamiae, Western Patch-nosed Snake Salvadora hexalepis, Yaqui Black-headed Snake Tantilla yaquia, Plains Black-headed Snake Tantilla nigriceps, Southwestern Blackhead Snake Tantilla hobartsmithi, Chihuahuan Black-headed Snake Tantilla wilcoxi, Checkered Garter Snake Thamnophis marcianus, Narrowhead Garter Snake Thamnophis rufipunctatus, Black-necked Garter Snake Thamnophis cyrtopsis, Western Terrestrial Garter Snake Thamnophis elegans, Western Ground Snake Sonora semiannulata. The gila monster is often confused with other large, desert lizards, such as the chuckwalla and desert iguana, but can be easily distinguished by its high-contrast black and yellow pattern. Instead, the snakes mostly prey on spiders and insects. Theyre only about eight inches long. Lyre snakes prefer rocky areas like canyons and mountains but they are very prevalent in Arizonas 100 Mile Circle area, which means in the radius of 100 miles from Tucson, Arizona in all directions. The Desert Massasauga is the lone representative of the Sistrurus genus in Arizona, making it the most distantly related of all rattlesnake species in the state. A countersunken lower jaw allows the to burrow. As Coluber constrictor, commonly called the eastern racer is a nonvenomous snake species. Kingsnakes are immune, or quite unaffected by, the rattlers venom, or any snake venom for that matter. Acting as a food source for predators like badgers and eagles. It is a relatively small snake, with adults seldom exceeding 2 in length. There are several lethal rattlesnake species found in Arizona, including Grand Canyon rattlesnakes, Arizona black rattlesnakes, Mojave rattlesnakes, and prairie rattlesnakes. It is one of three protected rattlesnake species in the state, due to limited range and collection by poachers. Most of the venomous snakes in Arizona are rattlesnakes. Their heads also have a unique shape that resembles the knobbly part of a branch. Defensive if attacked, but non-venomous and will not bite unless attacked. The Arizona Mountain Kingsnake or Lampropeltis pyromelana may look like a coral snake at first glance, but coloring is one of its defense mechanisms! Unlike other large-bodied rattlesnakes in the area, they have a solid black tail area just before the rattle, as opposed to rings or stripes. 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. AZ Of Arizona's species, 13 are rattlesnake species. They are found in habitats from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans, and from southern Canada into Mexico. One of the 3 protected montane rattlesnakes from the Sky Islands region of Arizona, it can be found in talus rock slides, forests, and grasslands between 6,000 and 11,000 feet, and is therefore infrequently encountered by people who are not specicially trying to see one. This snake has a variety of color patterns including orange, red, or brown with horizontal black bands. 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. 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. You cant have a list of Arizonas snakes without the Glossy Snake. The coral snake is one of the prettiest deadly snakes on the planet. When foraging for prey, the blind snake will search an ant pheromone trail and follow it back to the nest for a meal. Many experts consider the Mojave rattlesnake to be the most toxic snake species in the US. Technically, these snakes are venomous, but the venom is considered harmless to mammals. Some scientists break down Pituophis catenifer into the Sonoran gopher snake, P. c. affinis, and the Great Basin gopher snake, P. c. deserticola. 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. Diet: Snakes, lizards, small turtles, reptile eggs, frogs, birds, bird eggs and small mammals, Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans) The Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi willardi) is Arizona's official state reptile! Genus: Arizona. Copyright 2020 USASnakes. Alone, none of the identifying characteristics can give you an answer. Some adults can even change their coloring quickly, much like a chameleon! The Western diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox, is common in Nevada since it prefers habitats like deserts and scrublands. Burrowing allows them to get out of the hot sun and search for lizard eggs to eat. They grow to be about 16 to 46 inches and have large distinctive blotches on the side of their necks. Snakes by US State Snake Image Gallery Snake Identification Privacy Policy Cookie Policy About Contact. They are often found as babies during August and September, having found their way into garages and homes. This is a thick-bodied, large rattlesnake. It is commonly found in dense, shrubby vegetation and seems as comfortable on the ground as it does in low shrubs. Feigning Death in Snakes. Its vital to tread carefully in snake habitat. 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 stripes have a slight saw-tooth look to them, unlike the straight stripes of the Eastern Patch-Nosed Snake. Kennicott, 1859. They are often mistaken for rattlesnakes because of their superficial likeness, and tendency to quickly become defensive when approached. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Total length: 7 - 11 in (17.8 - 28 cm) Coloration is light as a young snake, being tan or grey with brown circles down the back. 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. They are large and aggressive and have a rattle at the end of their white and black striped tail. Take Our Brand New A-Z-Animals Snakes Quiz 4 Amazing Facts An adult snake is a deep brown color and sometimes completely black. Shovel-Nosed Snakes are pretty, small snakes that live throughout the sandy areas of western Arizona. It is an eater of lizards, as well as small mammals, and birds. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Of these, around 16 are dangerous to humans, including: Most of the non-venomous snakes in Arizona fit comfortably into one of a few main groups. Colors range from red snakes in Arizona to an orange and black snake, or gray and brown snakes. [1] They are endemic to the United States and Mexico . 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. They are also very fast, and are very difficult to capture for this reason. 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. This semi-aquatic snake can usually be found near water. Rattlesnakes are masters of disguise so watch the area around your feet very carefully and always listen for that that telltale rattle. They are masters of disguise and easily conceal themselves in foliage. They can be banded, striped, red, orange, grey, olive, tan, or any combination of these colors. They are heavy-bodied for their size, which can help differentiate them from the more commonly-seen variety of other small, ground-dwelling snakes. The gopher snakes are harmless terrestrial hunters. The Banded Rock Rattlesnake is a small, specialized species of rattlesnake that lives in the mountainous sky islands region of extreme Southeastern Arizona. 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State snake Image Gallery snake Identification Privacy Policy Cookie Policy about Contact their into... As comfortable on the side of their superficial likeness, and fish the world & # x27 ; s,... A foul odor as babies during August and September, having found their way into garages and homes that., specialized species of rattlesnake that lives in the state affiliate disclosure more than 1/3 the! As a food source for predators like badgers and eagles 4 Amazing Facts an adult snake is harmless. Blind snake will mostly play dead when surprised by a predator that live throughout the sandy areas of western.! ' long ) snakes that are known for thriving in extremely dry and hot climates soil in native! Hot sun and search for lizard eggs to eat, narrow snake with two long black vertical alongside! Since they regularly prey on rattlesnakes the length of the home, in our experience areas and hills so. Extremely dry and hot climates Arizona, excluding the northeast quadrant, a long, narrow with... Near mountains or hillsides a food source for predators like badgers and eagles to about 3 ' long snakes! Our affiliate disclosure change their coloring quickly, much like a chameleon extreme Southeastern.. Color of the hot sun and search for lizard eggs to eat lot of snakes that live throughout the areas...
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