Bot venomous and non-venomous snakes can have a banded appearance. An eater of primarily lizard eggs, this snake is completely harmless. Some Arizona snakes are rarely seen, while others may show up in your backyard! Most often found near apartment/condo complexes, these snakes often escape or are released intentionally by pet owners who lose interest. An adult snake will measure between 26 and 70 inches. The habitat you find them in can help identify them. Desert Glossy SnakeArizona elegans eburnata, Arizona Glossy SnakeArizona elegans noctivaga, Painted Desert Glossy SnakeArizona elegans philipi. They're slender, medium-sized snakes that get up to around 3' long. That is to say, while its good to be aware of these snakes, if you exercise proper precaution and seek medical attention if bitten by any snakes, the risk of death from a snake bite is extremely minimal. Arizona is home to 19 different species of venomous snakes, with most of these species being rattlesnakes. Burrowing allows them to get out of the hot sun and search for lizard eggs to eat. They are small and generally docile, but should not be handled for potential of being envenomated with neurotoxins. The desert kingsnake is a large black snake with yellow crossbands or spreckles. They are often misidentifed as Mojave Green rattlesnakes in New Mexico and Northern Arizona. Protected throughout its limited range in Arizona, this snake should be avoided. Arizona: 52. Night Snake Hypsiglena torquata Non-Venomous This small snake can be found on roads at night and is identified by the dark blotches on the neck and a single row of dorsal blotches. In Arizona, they are mostly found at higher elevations, between 4500 and 9,000, inhabiting nearly every habitat type within their range. 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. These tiny, harmless snakes are most easily identified by their black head, as the name implies. Harmless Snakes in the Tucson Area Sonoran Gophersnake Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) This snake is well adapted to living in many different surroundings and even cities. They're capable of getting above 3 feet long, but most are half that size. They are powerful constrictors and primarily feed on mice and other rodents. Due to this snake's small size, generally 15-18 inches, its fangs are very short and penetrate human skin with difficulty. Total length: 20 - 46 in (51 - 117 cm) It is one of three protected rattlesnake species in the state, due to limited range and collection by poachers. Though often attacked by defensive ants, its smooth and hard scales protect it from their bites and stings. Most of these species are found in desert areas but Rattlesnakes are also known to be frequent visitors to golf courses and can be found out on the green. Manage Settings Although they are small, this snake can give a very bad bite and should never be bothered. Its unique native species include the Sonoran coral, New Mexico blind, Chihuahuan . . Arizona is home to 52 species of snakes. The California Kingsnake is usually identified by the stark white and black, or yellow and black, banding that runs the length of the body. Red next to black, friend of Jack. (Thamnophis cyrtopsis) Western Diamondback Rattlesnake 4. If you have encountered a snake in Arizona that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, well be happy to identify it for you. They have a highly toxic bite and should always be left alone when seen. Where I have seen non-venomous snakes is in damp grassy areas in gardens, along vegetated creek sides and tall . As the name suggests, the Glossy Snake's appearance is often shiny or, well, glossy, due to a lack of ridge (keel) on each scale as is found in the Gophersnakes. When scared or threatened, the Night snake will ball up and hide its head. From the Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake to the coral snake. They have a series of black bands on their tails that mimic the rattle found on rattlesnakes. So much, that it will often be seen hanging around golf courses, parks, and yards. Thats why this desert snake is so at home in Arizona. It has vertical pupils and a pair of dark blotches directly behind the head. Species. Featured Image Credit by jokerbethyname, Shutterstock. This species . These snakes commonly reside in rocky canyons and foothills in a desert environment. This snake looks similar to the western patch-nosed snake, but it is found at higher elevations. 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. Lets take a look. Their primary food source is small rats and mice, but theyve been known to eat lizards and amphibians when necessary. Arizona is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. The Arizona Black Rattlesnake, or Crotalus cerberus, is found in the Hualapai Mountains and Cottonwood Cliffs in northwest Arizona. A thin vertical stripe symbolizes the eyes of venomous snakes. The coachwhip is a long, slender snake. Among the snakes are 13 species of rattlesnakes, which is just over one-third of the world's rattlesnakes, and more than can be found in any other U.S. state. They also have dark brown V-shaped markings on their heads. However, the change was criticized by herpetologists and didnt stick in scientific literature. Their surface color is dark brown, and the rest of the body (from just below the eye) is white or tan). The speckled rattlesnake, Crotalus pyrrhus, is light gray, and may even be white. Thus, the rattle cannot be used to estimate the snakes age. There was a brief attempt in 1993 to move the Rosy boa to a different genus because they share some characteristics with the Rubber boa. This is why folks will often find them in their kitchens or bathrooms. Kingsnakes are immune, or quite unaffected by, the rattlers venom, or any snake venom for that matter. The thornscrub hook-nosed snake, Gyalopion quadrangulare, is one of two hook-nosed snakes in the region. Defensive if attacked, but non-venomous and will not bite unless attacked. . This pit viper has blotches along its back and comes in various colors ranging from reddish and pink to gray. The Gopher snake likes the sandydesert areas where it can catch rodents, lizards, and rabbits. 7 years ago. Maricopa County (the county with more than 4 million of Arizonas citizens) reported 79 rattlesnake bites in 2021. Some Arizona snakes are rarely seen, while others may show up in your backyard! When threatened, the Gopher snake will coil its tail, shake,hiss, and then head butt any predator. Non-venomous gopher snakes (Pituophis catenifer) are commonly confused for rattlesnakes. Lets take a closer look. You may also find Arizona coral snakes and western coral snakes. This snake is usually a reddish-brown color, and some are crossbanded with black. Lets take a look at one or two of them. They are harmless, but may attempt to bite and rattle their tail defensively. Rattlesnake bites are painful and can be deadly. They are heavy-bodied for their size, which can help differentiate them from the more commonly-seen variety of other small, ground-dwelling snakes. Their range may be exapanding in the state due to irrigation and agricultural activity. The Banded Rock Rattlesnake is a small, specialized species of rattlesnake that lives in the mountainous sky islands region of extreme Southeastern Arizona. 2 Types of Scorpions in Tennessee(ID Pictures), 8 Turtles With Red Eyes (Interesting Facts). They are commonly seen in mountains North of Phoenix. It is one of three protected rattlesnake species in the state, due to limited range and collection by poachers. The desert king snake is found in areas of Texas, Southeastern Arizona, New Mexico, and possibly other nearby states in the west. Speaking of blackhead snakes, check out the largest blackhead snake ever found. These identifying characteristics set these snakes apart from other snake species: If youre afraid of coral snakes, its easy to confuse species like the ring-necked snake, Western ground snake, or milksnake for it at first glance. Diet: Snakes, lizards, small turtles, reptile eggs, frogs, birds, bird eggs and small mammals, Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans) While they are common in the sandy soil and grasslands where they live, they are relatively elusive. Want to discover the 10 most beautiful snakes in the world, a "snake island" where you're never more than 3 feet from danger, or a "monster" snake 5X larger than an anaconda? You may also find them in the yards of homes that have water sources in the yard. Do Ferrets Need Vaccination Shots? 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. In AZ, this snake is only found in the extreme North Western Great Basin desert and Arizona Strip regions, up to 8,000 feet in elevation. With a writhing, glossy appearance and tendency to be discovered while digging in loose soil, threadsnakes can be easily mistaken for a worm. Color, size, and pattern can vary greatly between communities, from small orange or reddish variants, or Hopi variety, to large-bodied, green, tan, or brown individuals. Arizona is home to 52 species of snakes. They can be banded, striped, red, orange, grey, olive, tan, or any combination of these colors. The varied geography and diverse selection of small animals for the snakes to hunt makes Arizona an excellent destination for snake sightings. Desert kingsnakes are nonvenomous snakes that play dead when confronted by humans. ), 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. Its the perfect place for sun-bathing, dessert-loving reptiles. On the end of the nose is an enlarged scale that looks like a small, bent guitar pick, which the snake uses to hunt lizards hiding in shallow sand. Save. Their color is variable, usually consisting 3 dark dark brown stripes running the length of the body against a cream or grey base. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. Arizona rattlesnakes have slit-shaped pupils and broad heads. Multiple types of narrow or wide bands can be seen on snakes. If the bands next to the red are black its a milk snake and you are safe. Diet: Centipedes, millipedes, insects, Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake The Blacktailed Rattlesnake found near Phoenix is mostly brown, tinted with yellow, orange, or green. 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