Snakes in California - Snake Identification
© 2015, Brandon Cornett | All rights reserved
There are many types of snakes in California, more than 30 individual species in fact. There are two primary reasons for this. For one thing, it's a big state! And the temperate climate found throughout much of California is also conducive to reptile life. Below, we have gathered some links to helpful resources on the various snakes found in the Golden State.
Information on California Snakes
This website has some great color photos of many different snake species found across the state of California. Check out the menu at the top of this site for a lot more information on native reptiles.
Western Ecological Research Center
This is not necessarily a guide to identifying snakes in California, but it does offer a lot of interesting facts. For example, did you know there are seven different types of rattlesnakes found throughout the state?
Rattlesnakes in California
All of the venomous snake species in the state are rattlesnakes. This certainly helps with identification, because it's hard to mistake a rattlesnake for anything else. This section of the California Fish and Game website offers some useful information about the six species found in the state.
Identifying Snakes Safely
The best way to identify a snake in the wild is to observe it (or take a picture) from a safe distance. Remember, snakes do not have eyelids. So a snake that may simply be basking in the sun can look like it's dead to the untrained eye. Do not approach any type of California snake in the wild. Even non-venomous snakes can inflict harm on you by biting. Observe and enjoy them in the wild, but don't approach or try to handle them.