Snakes in California
California abounds in several venomous and non-venomous snakes distributed throughout the state. Most of the venomous snakes inhabit southern California. The northern Pacific rattlesnake is the only known venomous species inhabiting the north of California.
The giant garter snake, endemic to the Central Valley region of California, is the state’s largest, measuring 64 inches. The Brahminy blindsnake, on the other hand, reaching around 7 inches in length, is the smallest.
California’s snake season mainly commences between mid-April and early May. However, on several occasions, rattlesnakes were spotted in mid-March.
| Groups | Venomous | Non-venomous |
|---|---|---|
| King Snakes | California Kingsnake California Mountain Kingsnake | |
| Gopher Snakes | – | Pacific Gopher Snake San Diego Gopher Snake Sonoran Gopher Snake |
| Rattlesnakes | Northern Pacific Rattlesnake Southern Pacific Rattlesnake Panamint Rattlesnake Red Diamond Rattlesnake Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake Great Basin Rattlesnake Mojave Rattlesnake Sidewinder Colorado Desert Sidewinder | – |
| Garter Snakes | – | Giant Garter Snake Checkered Garter Snake Common Garter Snake Northwestern Garter Snake Two-striped Garter Snake California red-sided Garter Snake |
| Ground Snakes | – | Colorado Desert Shovel-nosed Snake Mohave Shovel-nosed Snake |
| Rat Snakes | – | Baja California Rat Snake |
| Whip Snakes | – | Coachwhip California Whipsnake San Joaquin Coachwhip Striped Whipsnake |
| Charina | – | Rubber Boa Southern Rubber Boa |
| Lichanura | – | Desert Rosy Boa |
| Hypsiglena | – | Northern Desert Nightsnake California Night Snake |
| Indotyphlops | – | Brahminy Blind Snake |
| Diadophis | – | Ring-necked Snake Pacific Ring-necked Snake San Bernardino Ringneck Snake |
| Coluber | – | Western Yellow-bellied Racer Eastern Racer |
| Contia | – | Forest Sharp-tailed Snake Sharp-tailed Snake |
| Tantilla | – | California Black-headed Snake |
| Hydrophis | – | Yellow-bellied Sea Snake |
Snakes by Colors and Patterns
Red Snakes: Red Racer, Red Diamondback Rattlesnake, Coastal Rosy Boa
Black Snakes: California Black-headed Snake, Rubber Boa, Mohave Shovel-nosed Snake
White Snakes: California Kingsnake
Striped Snakes: Two-striped Garter Snake, California Whipsnake, California Kingsnake
Snakes by Regions
Snakes in Northern California: Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, California Kingsnake, Sharp-tailed Snake, Northwestern Garter Snake
Snakes in Southern California: Southern Pacific Rattlesnake,Sidewinder,Red Diamond Rattlesnake, Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Snakes in Central California: Two-striped Garter Snake
Quick Information
Largest Snake: Giant Garter Snake
Smallest Snake: Brahminy Blindsnake
Most Venomous Snakes: Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Mojave Rattlesnake, Yellow-bellied Sea Snake
