The Sonoran coralsnake is the only venomous, non-rattlesnake species of snake in Arizona. This species diet consists of birds, frogs, toads, eggs, and lizards. When foraging for prey, the blind snake will search an ant pheromone trail and follow it back to the nest for a meal. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is the most commonly encountered snake in the Phoenix area, and can be found anywhere where neighborhoods get close to native desert habitat. During the monsoon season each year, Longnosed Snakes hatch from eggs and wander in search of food. They are long and slender in comparison with, as the name suggests, a flat, slightly up-turned nose that is used to move through sand. Arizona Mountain Kingsnake. More distantly, it is sometimes mistaken for a coralsnake. There are more than 3,000 venomous and non-venomous snakes across the globe. The scale across the nose resembles a patch on the nose, therefore the common name. They're long (up to 5' 6' long as adults) and slender and usually disappear quickly into bushes when disturbed. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Arkansas Venomous snakes in Arkansas: However, there are no documented deaths from the venom of an Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake. Chock full of desert, rocks, and grasslands. They are also very fast, and are very difficult to capture for this reason. This snake has a variety of color patterns including orange, red, or brown with horizontal black bands. Diet: Lizards (mostly whiptails) and their eggs, small snakes, small mammals, Mountain Patch-nosed Snake Southern, West Central, and Northwest Arizona, A distinctive v-shaped marking on the head, Brownish snakes with darker brown markings that are almost diamond-shaped. They are completely harmless, and feed on termite larvae. Snakes - Tucson Herpetological Society. Since water sources in Arizona can be hard to find you will often find black-necked snakes gathered near ponds, streams, or lakes. Attractivecontrasting banding of black and white or yellow and white encompasses their entire body. They usually grow 3 to 4 feet long but may exceed 6.8 feet. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. The Western patch-nosed snake, Salvadora hexalepis, is one of three species in the genus that occur in Arizona. These snakes are often misidentified as rattlesnakes because of their head shape, vertical pupils, and tendency to coil into a tight circle when threatened. It is one of three protected rattlesnake species in the state, due to limited range and collection by poachers. The Tiger Rattlesnake is often confused with the Speckled Rattlesnake, but can be easily identified by the unusually small head and overly large rattle. Species. The vine snake looks almost exactly like a branch, which is where it gets its name. They are considered to ne beneficial snakes, as a regular predator of venomous rattlesnakes. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was foundhere on our snake identification page. Slow-moving and non-aggressive, bites are easily avoided simply by not approaching or attacking one when encountered. Of species found within the metro-areas of Phoenix and Tucson, they are very infrequently encountered, with only a handful of individuals in our relocation records. They are day-active, agile predators that often eat birds, lizards, and rodents. Due to this snake's small size, generally 15-18 inches, its fangs are very short and penetrate human skin with difficulty. The venom of a Mexican vine snake wont kill you, but it may make you itch to the point where you wish it would. When in danger, it will coil up and lift its backend, then unleash a foul odor! We hope youve enjoyed this article about Arizona snakes. They are a cream or tan color with, unlike the similar Spotted Leaf-Nosed Snake, a series of dark brown, incomplete bands along the body that are relatively few. The light-colored, squared nose can be used to distinguish this snake from the rounded, dark snout of the milksnake. The long-nosed snake is a nonvenomous snake found in arid habitats in the Western United States. They also have dark brown V-shaped markings on their heads. The body alternates between black bands over an orange or cream-colored base, usually fading from a rich orange color on the back to lighter colors below. These pretty Gartersnakes can be seen hunting tadpoles and small fish along many waterways and mountain streams throughout central and southeastern Arizona. Adults in the Phoenix area are commonly in the 3 range, with exceptional animals approaching 4. The resplendent desert shovel-nosed snake is a beautifully colored species. Fully grown, they are less than a foot long. They look very similar to the Banded Sandsnakes, Groundsnakes and other species of Shovel-nosed Snake. If stressed, it might perform a series of dramatic, fake hisses and strikes with its mouth closed, but does not actually bite. Being a constrictor, they will press or squeeze their prey. They have a highly toxic bite and should always be left alone when seen. They are large and aggressive and have a rattle at the end of their white and black striped tail. They grow to be about 16 to 46 inches and have large distinctive blotches on the side of their necks. They have a series of black bands on their tails that mimic the rattle found on rattlesnakes. They actually do a great service for humans by eating scorpions and other pests. In Arizona, the remaining tobosa grass habitat of the Massasauga is in decline due to development and grazing of cattle. Red Coachwhips are affectionately referred to as Red Racers. They are fast as the name would imply. Both venomous and non-venomous. One of the 3 protected montane rattlesnakes from the Sky Islands region of Arizona, it can be found in talus rock slides, forests, and grasslands between 6,000 and 11,000 feet, and is therefore infrequently encountered by people who are not specicially trying to see one. Small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, Amphibians, reptiles, birds and their eggs, Other reptiles, small mammals, and small birds, Lizards, other snakes, birds and eggs, insects, 15 20 years in the wild, 30+ in captivity, Small mammals, occasionally lizards and amphibians. Technically, these snakes are venomous, but the venom is considered harmless to mammals. Alone, none of the identifying characteristics can give you an answer. Being very shy, they will hide if confronted by humans. If youre trying to identify snakes in Phoenix, then you wont start with a list of northern Arizona snakes. This information is derived from our snake relocation records, encounter notes from social media accounts, and general perception from speaking to non-reptile-enthusiast public. Diet: Frogs, toads, tadpoles, fish, lizards, Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) They can be most easily identified by their distinct sideways motion (sidewinding), where the snake throws a loop of its body forward and pulls the rest along rather quickly. This is large snake, capable to reach 5 feet of length. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) This is a small rattlesnake, reaching a size of about 2.5 feet. (Thamnophis cyrtopsis) Key Points: Fifteen species of aquatic snakes inhabit the water sources of the United States.The only venomous, semi-aquatic snake in the U.S. is the cottonmouth, also called the water moccasin . They are generally small (3' or less) and have an unusually small head compared to other rattlesnake species. The Great Basin gopher snake lives in the Great Basin, while the other species exists in the Sonoran desert. 230 helpful votes. Total Length: 18 - 42 in (46 - 107 cm) Repeat sightings of this species could be an indication that the home has termites, however! There are no aquatic snakes in Arizona. The lyresnake eats primarily lizards, and also preys on small rodents, bats, and birds. How Do Cats Show Affection? While they are common in the sandy soil and grasslands where they live, they are relatively elusive. They constrict their prey, pressing it against a solid surface or swallow it live. Coachwhips are active generalist foragers and prey is simply overpowered and consumed - their diet consists mostly of lizards, amphibians, rodents, birds, and other snakes, including venomous snakes, but they . Arizona is known for its hot sun and arid conditions. They can be found in neighborhoods, as well as in the desert. The most common rattlesnake in the Phoenix area is the Western Diamondback. ), 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. The Speckled Rattlesnakes is highly variable in color, from a white/grey in the South Mountain and White Tanks areas, brown in North Phoenix, and orange and red going North into Cave Creek and the Anthem areas. There are a lot of rattlesnakes in Arizona, in total about 13 different types! From the massive, gentle Sonoran Gopher Snake to the tiny, deadly Sonoran Coral Snake, theres no shortage of stunning serpents out there for you to learn about! The Arizona coral snake is one of the most distinctly colored snakes that live in the desert. Total length: 22 - 47 in (56 - 119 cm) You may need medication to stop the itching or your bodys reaction to it. Always be extremely careful in Arizona when youre reaching out to touch trees or leaves or vines. Tucson The Sonoran Lyresnake is a very thin, snake found throughout the desert regions of Arizona. They are usually calm, but will stand their ground when threatened. The habitat you find them in can help identify them. It lives in Madrean Woodlands and adjacent grassy hillsides. On occasion, brilliant teal or blue skin can be seen between the scales, often when the snake has just eaten and engorged. These species include: According to iNaturalist, the following ten species are the most commonly sighted snakes in Arizona: Arizona has more venomous snakes than most other states. Like all elapids, it possesses short, fixed (non-movable) fangs. Completely harmless to people and peers, they are not biters. They are often mistaken for the Mojave Rattlesnake. They're small, usually only around a foot long. Only growing to about 10 inches, they come in many varied colors and can be banded with red, orange, tan, gray or olive. Weve made a list of some of our favorite snake species that live in Arizonas native desert habitat. In neighborhoods, as a regular predator of venomous rattlesnakes of their necks small. An answer where it gets its name feet long but may exceed 6.8 feet hatch from eggs wander. 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