On this page, you can find an overview of snakes in California. The list is separated into non-venomous and venomous snakes in California. This should give you a quick overview if you are dealing with a venomous snake or not. Just click on any of the images or links to learn more about the snake.
If you have encountered a snake in California that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our snake identification page.
List of venomous snakes in California
Crotalus Atrox – Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Cortalus atrox, commonly called the western diamondback rattlesnake, is a venomous snake found in the Southwestern United States as well ...
Hydrophis Platurus – Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake
The yellow-bellied sea snake, hydrophis platurus, is a venomous sea snake and probably the most common snake species around the ...
Crotalus Oreganus – Pacific Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus, commonly called the (Northern) Pacific rattlesnake is a venomous rattlesnake found in Western America from British Columbia in ...
Crotalus Cerastes – Sidewinder Rattlesnake
Crotalus cerastes, commonly called the sidewinder rattlesnake or the horned rattlesnake is a small venomous pit viper snake. It can ...
List of non-venomous snakes in California
Rhinocheilus Lecontei – Long-Nosed Snake
The long-nosed snake is a nonvenomous snake found in arid habitats in the Western United States. It has alternating black ...
Thamnophis Ordinoides – Northwestern Garter Snake
The northwestern garter snake is one of the smaller species of the harmless garter snakes. It is found in the ...
Thamnophis Atratus – Aquatic Garter Snake
The aquatic garter snake, Thamnophis atratus, is a harmless snake species found in California and Oregon. The appearance of the ...
Sonora Semiannulata – Western Ground Snake
Sonora semiannulata, the western ground snake is a small nonvenomous snake found in the Western United States and in Mexico ...
Masticophis Taeniatus – Striped Whipsnake
The striped whipsnake is a nonvenomous snake found in the Western and Southern United States and in Northwestern Mexico. It ...
Lampropeltis Zonata – California Mountain Kingsnake
The california mountain kingsnake, is a nonvenomous snake with red, black and white/yellow crossbands mimicking the appearance of venomous coral ...
Lampropeltis Californiae – California Kingsnake
The California kingsnake is a nonvenomous snake found in the Western United States, in Northwestern Mexico and as an invasive ...
Hypsiglena Torquata – Night Snake
The night snake is a small, mostly nocturnal snake found in the Western United States and in Mexico. Its body ...
Contia Tenuis – Sharp-Tailed Snake
The sharp-tailed snake, Contia tenuis, is a small, almost worm-like snake found in the Western United States. The brown, orange ...
Indotyphlops Braminus – Brahminy Blind Snake
Indotyphlops Braminus, the Brahminy blind snake is a nonvenomous blind snake found throughout the world. The small, worm-like snake originates ...
Pituophis Catenifer – Pacific Gopher Snake
The Pacific gopher snake, Pituophis catenifer, is a nonvenomous snake found in the Western United States, Canada and Mexico. It ...
Thamnophis Elegans – Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
The western terrestrial garter snake is a harmless snake species that can be found throughout the Western United States. Its ...
Nerodia Sipedon – Common Watersnake
The common watersnake is a nonvenomous snake that is often seen throughout the Eastern United States as well as Southeastern ...
Diadophis Punctatus – Ring-Necked Snake
The ring-necked snake, Diadophis punctatus, is a harmless small snake that can be found throughout most of the United States ...
Thamnophis Sirtalis – Common Garter Snake
The common garter snake is the best-known and most widespread species among the garter snakes. It can be found throughout ...
Charina Trivirgata – Rosy Boa
Charina trivirgata, the rosy boa, is a small type of boa native to California, Arizona as well as Northern Mexico ...
Charina Bottae – Rubber Boa
Charina bottae, the rubber boa, is the smaller of the two species of boas native to the United States. It ...
Coluber Constrictor – Racer
Coluber constrictor, commonly called the eastern racer is a nonvenomous snake species. The species contains eleven subspecies that can be ...