Snakes in Utah
The venomous snakes found in Utah are mostly rattlesnake species. The Mohave green, dwelling in the state’s southwestern corner, is the deadliest among the lot. However, the most commonly encountered species is the western or prairie rattlesnake dwelling in the eastern part. Another rattlesnake species, the Midget faded rattlesnake, only thrives in eastern Utah’s Moab area.
Utah lacks any coral snake population. However, the Sonoran mountain kingsnake, having white, black, and red bands, is often mistaken for the coral snake because of its similarity in appearance.
Utah has no snakes belonging to the Nerodia or water snake genus. However, certain snakes living in or close to water sources are found here, like the black-necked garter snake, rubber boa, and gopher snake.
Groups | Venomous | Non-venomous |
---|---|---|
Rattlesnakes | – | Great Basin Rattlesnake Prairie Rattlesnake Hopi Rattlesnake Midget Faded Rattlesnake Mojave Green Rattlesnake Speckled Rattlesnake Sidewinder |
Garter Snakes | – | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake Black-necked Garter Snake Valley Garter Snake |
Hognose Snakes | – | Western Hognose Snake |
Kingsnakes | – | Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake California Kingsnake Milk Snake |
Whip Snakes | – | Striped Whipsnake Coachwhip |
Charina | – | Rubber Boa |
Rhinocheilus | – | Long-nosed Snake |
Salvadora | – | Western Patch-nosed Snake |
Pituophis | – | Gopher Snake Great Basin Gopher Snake |
Arizona | – | Glossy Snake |
Opheodrys | – | Smooth Green Snake |
Hypsiglena | – | Northern Desert Night Snake |
Pantherophis | – | Corn Snake Great Plains Rat Snake |
Coluber | – | Eastern Racer |
Diadophis | – | Ring-necked Snake |
Rena | – | Western Blind Snake |
Tantilla | – | Smith’s Blackhead Snake |
Sonora | – | Western Ground Snake |
Trimorphodon | – | Western Lyre Snake Sonoran Lyresnake |
Phyllorhynchus | – | Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake |
Snakes by Colors and Patterns
Black Snakes: Eastern Racer, Black-necked Garter Snake
Snakes by Regions
Snakes in Northern Utah: Valley Garter Snake, Rubber Boa, Great Basin Gopher Snake
Snakes in Southern Utah: California Kingsnake, Speckled Rattlesnake, Hopi Rattlesnake, Mojave Rattlesnake, Glossy Snake
Snakes in Eastern Utah: Milksnake,Midget Faded Rattlesnake, Corn Snake, Prairie Rattlesnake
Snakes in Western Utah: Long-nosed Snake, Great Basin Rattlesnake
Quick Information
Biggest Snake: Great Basin Gopher Snake
Most Dangerous Snakes: Mohave Rattlesnake, Speckled Rattlesnake