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